Photo courtesy of James Egan Photography

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON -
The Greyhounds offence would have to be better than their opponents defence on Thursday Night.
Standing in the Hounds way of two points in the OHL standings was the Belleville Bulls, who entering the game had allowed the league's least goals against (just 18).

The rare mid-week contest marked the two teams only regular season meeting of 2012-13 in Sault Ste. Marie.

And the locals would come out with energy they displayed early and often in the contest.  By the time the game was just under three minutes old the Hounds had built up an early shot advantage.

Following their first powerplay of the game the Hounds first great chance would come to life.  After CHRIS BUONOMO let a shot go from the left point, BRANDON ALDERSON had a number of shots in front but was unable to beat Bulls netminder Malcolm Subban.

Jordan Subban responded with a chance minutes later skating in from the right point but Hounds tender MATT MURRAY was equal to the task.

Belleville would open the scoring midway through the period when Joseph Cramarossa pounced on a  loose puck to the left of the goal for a 1-0 Bulls lead.  The goal came immediately following the Hounds killed off a shorthanded situation and a delayed penalty call on it's way.

The Hounds pushed for the equalizer when NICK COUSINS rung a shot off the crossbar, and then DARNELL NURSE put a pass through the middle but didn't connect with JARED MCCANN to leave the game in favour of Belleville after the first period.

Less than three minutes into the second period MARK PETACCIO was part of a 2-on-1 but the Sicklerville, NJ product's shot was turned aside.

Once again MURRAY would come up with a big stop, as less than two minutes later Garrett Hooey teed up a shot from roughly ten feet out but was turned aside.

At the 9:08 mark Belleville increased their lead, with another delayed penalty call coming to the Hounds, Sergey Kuptsov cut towards the slot and placed a shot gloveside on the Hounds goal for the 2-0 lead.

The Hounds responded quickly at 10:34 when CHRIS BUONOMO registered his 1st goal of the season and 1st as a member of the Hounds.  The 5th year rearguard placed a shot from the left point that beat Subban to cut the lead.

Then just over a minute later MICHAEL SCHUMACHER would pull the Hounds onto even terms.  Leading-scorer NICK COUSINS took the shot before SCHUMACHER remained determined at the side of the goal before depositing his 6th of the season for a 2-2 tie.

Jordan Subban scored with exactly seven minutes left in the period and then Michael Curtis tallied on the powerplay in the final minute as Belleville's lead sat at 4-2 after forty minutes.

PETACCIO and SERGEY TOLCHINSKY each had some of the best chances of the middle stanza but were unable to pull the Hounds any closer.

Twenty-seven seconds into the third the Hounds had their only powerplay of the third period but were unsuccessful at cutting the Bellevile lead.

The Bulls made it a three-goal game before the midway point of the period when Niki Petti fired home a rebound from the side of the goal for the 5-2 lead.

Then at 16:03, SERGEY TOLCHINSKY cut to the net and beat Subban low on the goal for his 6th goal of the season.  Despite the net coming off behind the Belleville netminder, the goal would stand.  

The Hounds pulled MURRAY from the nets with just over a minute remaining but the damage was done, as the Belleville Bulls would skate to a 5-3 victory.

Final shots favoured the visitors by a  35-30 margin.

With the loss, the Hounds record now sits at 7 wins and 5 losses, good for 14 points and an early split of their current homestead.
The locals return to action after a couple days off, this coming Sunday, October 21st when they host the Guelph Storm.  Game time is 7:07 p.m. at the Essar Centre.

RED STAR THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1- Jake Worrad, BEL
2- Michael Schumacher, SSM
3- Miki Petti, BEL

DICKIE'S HARDEST WORKING HOUND
#21 Brandon Alderson