Bulls win at home

 

DALY CITY, Calif. – It had been so long since the Bulls played on their home ice at the Cow Palace, they too might have felt like the visiting team. The Bulls returned home Friday night after a nine game road stretch that took them nearly a month to complete. No matter who the Bulls thought they were tonight, they need to find a way to repeat it, as they turned in a stellar effort against their ECHL Pacific Division rivals the Stockton Thunder.
Harrison Reed opened the scoring in the first for Stockton on the power play at 8:58 as the puck got by Bulls goaltender Thomas Heemskerk after it made contact with Reed’s skate. It did not take long however for the Bulls to tie the game up. Less than a minute after Stockton’s Phil Mangan was sent off for hooking, Harrison Reed attempted a clear on the ensuing PK. Instead of a successful clear however, Reed watched as the puck made its way over the glass for a delay of game call. The Bulls took full advantage of their 5-on-3 opportunity as Sacha Guimond scored at 11:22. Chris Lawrence and Dean Ouellet tallied assists on Guimond’s goal. 
The second period brought tight checking, good defense and excellent goaltending from Thomas Heemskerk and Stockton’s Cody Reichard. In spite of the fact that both teams earned three power play opportunities in the period, the score remain tied at 1-1 after two. 
In the third period the Bulls took the lead just 2:25 in to the frame on a goal from Dean Ouellet. Kelsey Wilson earned an assist on the Ouellet goal. At 5:07 Kevin Baker scored a big moment goal for his team and the Bulls never looked back. Peter Sivak and Chris Lawrence were credited with the assists on the Baker goal. The Bulls made it 4-1 just beyond the half way mark of the final period on a nice wrap around goal from Jordan Morrison. Lawrence earned another point on his night with the loan assist. 
Bulls President and Head Coach Pat Curcio remarked after the game that his team is beginning to put into practice a few of the lessons learned thus far in this season. 
“The guys did a lot of good things tonight. They’re learning and starting to put things together,” said Curcio.   
Curcio also characterized the arrival of two proven NHL players, Ryane Clowe and Theo Peckham.
 
“A big plus. As a young team and a team with a lot of rookies, anytime you can bring veterans in to help with the leadership and teaching…it’s an invaluable presence. I think we are fortunate [to have them].”
 
The Bulls are right back at it Saturday evening, as they host to the Ontario Reign.
 
Contact the writer Randy.Thompson@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com