After a bit of a mismatch in their previous game versus a team slumming it in Division 11, the Broadstreet Bullies bounced back with a strong effort, playing hard right till the end but eventually falling just short as they dropped a 5-4 shootout loss. The Bullies battle back several times, including some late game powerplay heroics to send it to OT but couldn't get it done in the skills competition.

Right off the bat the Bullies fell behind, surrendering a goal just over 90 seconds into the game, but it was the Bullies special teams that were the difference in the first. The Bullies took three minor penalties in the first which could have been trouble, but the PK units struck back on the offence, picking up a pair of short handed goals. First, Cody Carruthers walked the HC71 defence to even it up midway through the frame, before Darryl Paget gave his team the lead in the final minutes of the period, sending the game to half with the Bullies up 2-1.

Unfortunately in the second, a perfect point shot found it's way through 4 or 5 bodies in front to even it up on the same penalty the Bullies picked up the shortie on. A minute later, a defensive miscue allowed a similar shot through giving HC71 their second lead of the game. Just past the halfway marker, they extended it to a 4-2 lead after an odd man rush was converted. The Bullies clawed their way back into the mix, though, with 7 minutes remaining as Nate Draginda one timed a slick pass from Rick Carruthers to get within one. In the final two minutes the Bullies drew the final man advantage of the game and took a mere 7 seconds to capitalize, with Darryl Paget notching his second right off the draw sending the game to OT.

The overtime was a fast and furious affair with chances both ways including a couple of golden opportunities for the Bullies to seal the deal but after the 5 minutes of extra time it was destined for the shootout.

Cody Carruthers shot first, almost deking the HC71 keeper but narrowly missing. The first HC71 shooter converted, putting the pressure on Darryl Paget. Paget beat the goalie with a crisp shot. HC71 scored on their second chance, meaning Ryan Loney would need to score to keep it alive but he also just missed.

The Bullies have shown well for the most part lately and this game was no exception. Some costly defensive errors put the team behind but the team fought hard to get back into it every time. Andy Dejonghe once again had an excellent game, turning aside almost everything he had a chance to see, and you can't say enough about the special teams in a game where you outscore the opposition while short handed.

With three games left in retiering, the Bullies will hope to close out the round at .500 or better, and to do so will need a win on Friday, January 27th at 7pm vs the Coolies.

The Broadstreet Bullies rolled onward to a second convincing victory, shutting down the Trashmen by a 3-1 final. Ultimately it was only the Trashmen's keeper who kept it so close as the Bullies had no lack of grade A scoring chances. Once again it was a commitment to team defence and a very aggressive forecheck that gave the opposition fits. For the most part the Bullies were quick to shut down the Trashmen's attack and did dominate posession time.

On the first shift of the game, Jay Gilbert drew a roughing penalty for an early man advantage but the Bullies were unable to convert. Shortly thereafter, though, Gilbert finally got off the schneid scoring a nifty goal just under seven minutes into the game. Once they were up, the Bullies did not relent as they pressed for more. The Trashmen did capitalize to draw even after an ugly Bullies giveaway hung Andy Dejonghe out to dry but it was still clear who was in control of the game.

Despite the offensive pressure the Bullies were stymied time and time again by the Trashmen's netminder as he was stopping the first, second, and sometimes even third efforts in front. With only six minutes left in the game, Cody Carruthers spun around for a backhand rebound that found twine - a goal that stood up as the game winner. Just minutes later Gilbert added his second of the night to add some insurance. The Bullies withstood the Trashmen's final attack and held on for the victory.

All three centres were exceptional both at driving the play and supporting the defence all night long, which may have been the biggest factor. That opened up enoguh room for the wingers to win the majority of the board battles, with support for the D corps holding the line and keeping the pressure on. Dejonghe was near perfect once again as he continues his strong play.

Next up is a Saturday matinee, on Saturday, January 21st at 12 noon vs the Thunder.

Three games into the season, the Broadstreet Bullies finally got a tally in the win column as the return of Ryan Loney helped power them to a 4-1 victory over the Rush. Loney's hat trick (and bonus empty netter) provided the offence, but it was a rock solid team defence that was the big story. The Bullies pushed the play up ice right from the first shift with everyone in position for strong breakouts and keep ins at the line. The rust and inconsistency that was present for the first two games was entirely gone, with the whole team looking to be in mid-season form.

The opening frame was a good one for the Bullies as they pressed the attack. With the blue line being bolstered by Don Hinks and Clint Wilson the ball was generally moving in the right direction, but the Bullies weren't getting rewarded for their strong play. Andy Dejonghe, who was lights out all night, held the line, until a late powerplay was the required spark. Ryan Loney drove one home with 4 minutes remaining in the first on the man advantage, and then on the very next shift, made it 2-0.

Things were much the same in the second, with the Bullies countering the Rush's ultra aggressive forecheck with odd man rushes back the other way. Loney completed his hat trick just three minutes in, putting the Rush in a big hole. They were forced to respond with even more pinching which let the Bullies kill the clock and dictate the flow. A Bullies penalty midway through the frame gave the PK units a chance to shine, easily killing off the infraction. Late in the game the Bullies attacked with numbers but a slight error led to a Rush chance the other way which they just slipped by to make it 3-1 with under five to play. The Rush pressured for another one after pulling their goalie with lots of time on the clock, but were stymied by the Bullies clearing it out repeatedly. Loney outraced his linemate Darryl Paget's long shot to take no chances on the ball rolling true and tucked it home into the empty net for his fourth on the night.

There really isn't too much else to say - it was a brilliant effort all around. Minor miscues here and there were generally well covered by linemates coming back in support. The centres were excellent in the dot and forced countless turnovers pressuring both high and low. The wingers won almost every board battle, chipping it out. The blue stood tall with active sticks and a commitment to holding the line - and Dejonghe was in the zone between the pipes.

A few nights rest before the Bullies get a chance to return to .500 as they take on the Trashmen on Tuesday, January 17th at 9pm.

The Broadstreet Bullies have a scrimmage scheduled versus the Caper Crew on Sunday, January 15th at 11pm up at the rink in Castledowns. If you want to get in a little more hockey this week it's a good opportunity to do so. Please confirm your availability on the forum.

The Broadstreet Bullies had a disappointing start to their Winter 2012 season, dropping the game 3-1 to Balls Deep. It wasn't a huge surprise - Balls Deep had just finished the fall season and the Bullies were shaking off 5 months of rust but nobody likes to lose. Things did start to improve as the game wore on with players finding their legs and starting clicking with old linemates.

The entire game was a very speedy affair with not a lot of whistles. There were no penalties called either way and very few faceoffs with the refs being pretty quick to waive off icing. With so few interuptions to the game flow, it let to a lot of on the fly changes and kept players in the game. Andy Dejonghe looked sharp between the pipes from the get go as the defence struggled a little bit early on, but through little fault of his own got bitten for a pair of goals midway through the first, putting the Bullies down 2-0 at the half.

Shots were relatively close for both sides through the first 25, but the Bullies started gambling a bit more in the second trying to get back into the game. Unfortunately, this led to no fewer than four breakaways or odd man rushes, all of which Dejonghe stopped. Balls Deep did convert another one late in the game after another spectacular first save by Dejonghe to put the Bullies down 3-0. With two minutes left on the clock and a rare offensive zone faceoff, the Bullies decided to go for it and pulled Dejonghe for the extra attacker. It did lead to some sustained pressure with the forward line setting up their shots but being stonewalled by the goalie. The goose egg was finally broken when Darryl Paget's shot went off the end boards and landed right on Bullies defenceman Nicholas Paufler's stick where he'd pinched down to the goal line, roofing it backhand to set things up for the next game.

Most of the bad in the game can be attributed to the team being away from the game so long, especially the positional play and passing. Still, you could see some players were clicking a little easier with blueliners Skish and Day both making some excellent standups at the line and some quick breakouts and good looks by the duos of Paget/Gilbert and both Carrutherses. If everyone can step their game up a few notches game two should go a lot better.

It will be a late start for game two, 11pm on Saturday, January 7th versus the Edmonton Wolfpack.