Weak goaltending hurts Bulls in loss to Sudbury

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (14/01/12) — Garrett Hooey scores a goal on a penalty shot with no time on the clock in the second period against the Sudbury Wolves on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2012. Despite a late surge, the Bulls couldn't recover from a 3-0 deficit and eventually lost the game 5-3. The Bulls are still winless at home in 2012. Photo by Andre Lodder.

By Andre Lodder

The goalie woes continued for the Bulls as the visiting Sudbury Wolves jumped out ahead 3-0 and came away with a 5-3 win against the Belleville Bulls this past Saturday at the Yardmen arena.

The Bulls have yet to win a game at home in 2012 registering their fourth straight home-loss going 0-4 in the New Year.

With the top ranked North American goaltender in the upcoming draft, Malcolm Subban, still out with a groin injury, John Chartrand got the start in net for the Bulls. However, Chartrand was replaced by 16-year-old Charlie Graham in the second period after allowing three goals on 15 shots.

The first period ended with the shots 10-10 but the Sudbury Wolves were the ones who capitalized on their chances. The Wolves came out of the period with a 2-0 lead with goals from Alex Racino and Andrey Kuchin.

They then made it 3-0 five shots later on Kuchin’s second goal of the night,chasing Chartrand out of the net.

Graham came in to relieve Chartrand, and it seemed to give the Bulls a boost as Jordan Mayer scored just 18 seconds later. The goal was his first in a Bull’s uniform after being traded from the Missisauga Majors last week.

The remainder of the second period saw the Wolves and Bulls go goal for goal heading into the third.

The Bull got goals from Brendan Gaunce and Garrett Hooey. Gaunce netted his 21^st of the year on a 5-on-3 power play, while Garrett Hooey scored on a penalty shot with zero seconds left on the clock after being hauled down on a break-away at the end of the second period.

Despite a late surge by the Bulls, neither team managed to hit the back of the net in the third period as the Wolves came out on top 5-3 despite being outshot 13-3 in the third.

The Bulls were also in action Sunday night losing to the Ottawa 67’s 6-1. The next home game is against the Mississauga Majors on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m.