Official SF Bulls Kelly Cup Playoffs Banner. Mandatory Credit: San Francisco Bulls media department.

By Charles Richards

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.- Jordan Morrison scored in the third period to bring the Bulls within two, but the San Francisco Bulls were defeated by the Alaska Aces, 4-1, in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals, Thursday night at the Cow Palace. Alaska now leads the best-of-seven series two games to one.

The Bulls and Aces skated to a scoreless first period. Thomas Heemskerk and Mark Guggenberger were solid in goal for their respective teams. Both teams had opportunities to score on the power play, with the Bulls receiving two power plays to Alaska’s one. The Aces out-shot the Bulls 9-5 through 20 minutes of play.

Alaska broke the ice at 2:58 of the second period to take a 1-0 lead. Alex Hudson scored his first goal of the playoffs with a perfect wrist shot over the shoulder of Heemskerk. Bobby Hughes and Tim Hall assisted on the goal. Alaska would double their advantage to 2-0 at 6:38 of the period after Steve Ward scored his first of the playoffs. Evan Trupp picked up the only assist. Looking to spark some energy for his team, Kris Belan dropped the gloves with Trupp shortly after Alaska had taken their two-goal lead.

The Aces extended their lead to 3-0 at 6:33 of the third period. Nick Mazzolini scored his first goal of the playoffs to widen the deficit for San Francisco. Mazzolini’s goal was unassisted. The Bulls got back into the game at 8:43 when Morrison scored his first goal of the playoffs to bring the score to 3-1. Morrison picked up a rebound behind the net, and banked the puck in off of Guggenberger. Heemskerk had vacated his net on the play for a delayed penalty call. Peter Sivak and Christian Ouellet assisted on the goal. Zach Harrison added an empty net goal for the Aces to seal the 4-1 victory.

The series continues with Game 4 tomorrow, and Game 5 Saturday, both at 7:15 pm. Help Orange Out the Cow Palace. Call (855) SF-BULLS for tickets.

Post Game Report: Courtesy of San Francisco Bulls

Official Link: http://sfbulls.com/news/bulls-lose-game-3-to-alaska-4-1/

For official Box Score Information: Click here for the box score

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Official 2013 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs Logo. Mandatory Credit: ECHL media department.

San Francisco Bulls forward Peter Sivak (91) celebrates a goal in the 4-3 San Francisco victory over the Colorado Eagles at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, January 3, 2013. Mandatory credit: Scot Tucker/SFBay

Article Credit By: Emily Zahner

ANCHORAGE, AK - The San Francisco Bulls (17-21-1-4) battled back from a third-period deficit to take the rubber match from the Western Conference-leading Alaska Aces (32-11-1-2), 3-2 in overtime. Peter Sivak tied the game on the power play in the third period before winning it in overtime. Taylor Nelson stopped 38 shots to help the Bulls take two out of three games from Alaska.

Dean Ouellet gave the Bulls a 1-0 lead at 7:46 in a high pressured first period with his 19^th goal of the season. D. Ouellet went forehand to backhand to put the puck under Alaska’s Mark Guggenberger’s glove into the back of the net. Peter Sivak and Scott Langdon received assists on the goal.  Nelson turned away 14 shots from the Aces in the first. The Aces went 0-for-2 on the power play.

The Aces came out on fire in the second period. Shawn Skelly slipped one by Nelson just nine seconds into the period to tie the game up at 1-1. San Francisco got into penalty trouble early in the second; Christian Ouellet served a double minor for interference and unsportsmanlike conduct. The Bulls penalty kill and Nelson stood strong and the Aces were unable to capitalize on their four-minute man advantage. Alaska kept pressing, and Jarred Smith put a loose rebound past Nelson at 9:29 of the second to give the Aces their first lead of the game, 2-1.

San Francisco jumped on the Aces early in the third period. Sivak earned his 19^th goal of the season on the power play at 3:18 to tie the game at 2-2. Cody Carlson and Christian Ouellet received assists on the goal. Nelson stopped all 11 shots he faced in the third period. Three periods of regulation would not be enough to solve this contest, and San Francisco and Alaska sent the game to overtime.

The Aces hit the cross bar early in extra time, which had to be reviewed and determined no goal. After the Bulls net was knocked loose, San Francisco broke out in the other direction, and D. Ouellet sent the puck towards the net. Sivak tipped it past Guggenberger for the game winner at 2:21 of overtime

The Bulls take on the Stockton Thunder Wednesday at Stockton Arena before returning home Thursday, the last Thirsty Thursday of the season. On Thursday, January 31, the Bulls host the Ontario Reign at 7:15 pm at the Cow Palace. At select concessions, 12-ounce draft domestic beers are half off.

Bulletins: Peter Sivak has scored both of the Bulls’ overtime goals…Christian Ouellet totaled four points on the weekend (3 goals, 1 assist)…The Bulls were out-shot 40-26…The Bulls were 1-for-2 on the power play, while the Aces were 0-for-4…The Bulls earned their second victory when trailing after two periods.

****Official post-game report: Courtesy of the San Francisco Bulls.****

Link: http://sfbulls.com/news/bulls-stun-aces-with-3-2-overtime-win/

3 Stars of the Game:

1. SF – 91 Peter Sivak
2. SF – 29 Taylor Nelson
3. AK – 1 Mark Guggenberger

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San Francisco Bulls defenseman #24 Scott Langdon administers a check to Alaska Aces forward #42 Nick Mazzolini. Mandatory credit: San Francisco Bulls media department.

Post Game Report By: Charles Richards

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The San Francisco Bulls (16-21-1-4) battled hard in the third period to even the score, but ultimately were held off by the  Alaska Aces (32-11-0-7), 2-1, Saturday night at the Sullivan Arena. Christian Ouellet scored the only goal for the Bulls, and Taylor Nelson made 33 saves. The loss snapped the Bulls three-game win streak.

The Aces took a 1-0 lead at 6:48 of the first period. Alexandre Imbeault scored his 11th goal of the season on the power play. Chris Haltigin and Chris Clackson assisted on the goal. Alaska doubled their lead at 7:57 when Garry Nunn tipped a puck past Nelson for his 13th goal of the season. Zach Harrison and Dustin Molle picked up the assists.

The Bulls got back into the game when C. Ouellet scored his 11th goal of the season to bring the score to 2-1 in the second period. A big blast from the top of the face-off circle beat goaltender Gerald Coleman. C. Ouellet’s goal was assisted by Jordan Morrison and Sebastien Trudeau with 6:22 remaining in the period. The Bulls got into penalty trouble at the end of the period when they took three consecutive penalties. Impressive penalty killing by Nelson and the Bulls kept San Francisco within reach after 40 minutes.

The Bulls had their chances to tie the game in the third period but could not get the puck past Coleman. The Bulls had a late power play, plus an extra attacker when Nelson was pulled. Alaska’s highly-ranked penalty kill was too much to overcome on this night.

The Bulls wrap up their weekend series against the Aces tomorrow evening at 4:05 pm Pacific Time. The Bulls return home next Thursday, the last Thirsty Thursday of the season. On Thursday, January 31, the Bulls host the Ontario Reign at 7:15 pm at the Cow Palace. At select concessions, 12-ounce draft domestic beers are half off.

Bulletins: The Bulls were out-shot 35-32…Jordan Morrison extended his point streak to four games (2 goals, 4 assists)…The two teams went a combined one for nine on the power play…Christian Ouellet has three goals against Alaska in two games.

Three Stars:

1. Gerald Coleman (AK)

2. Taylor Nelson (SF)

3. Garry Nunn (AK)

Official Link: http://sfbulls.com/news/bulls-held-off-by-aces-2-1/

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Blades of Teal: Tape to tape “WITH THE PASS” of expert analysis on San Jose Sharks, Worcester Sharks, and San Francisco Bulls hockey