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 defenseman #2 Mikael Tam goes in on the Grizzlies net as Utah Grizzlies defenseman #42 Evan Stoflet looks on. Mandatory Credit: Mike Tkacheff

Tonight the San Francisco Bulls continue their road trip with stop in West Valley City as they face off against the Utah Grizzlies.  This marks game three of a six game trek away from the Cow Palace for the Bulls.  Following tonights contest, the Bulls will go to Colorado to take on the Eagles.  Tonight’s matchup is the fifth of eight scheduled meetings of the season between these two clubs.  As of today, the Utah Grizzlies have a 3-1 season series lead over San Francisco.  When these clubs last faced one another, the Grizzlies defeated the Bulls 3-2.  In that contest, Dean Ouellet and Rob Kwiet were the two goal scorers for the Bulls.

On Saturday, San Francisco ended up earning a split in Boise against the Idaho Steelheads as they edged out the Dallas Stars affiliate in the shootout by a 4-3 final.  Newly acquired forward Tristan King came up big as scored the equalizer that sent the contest into overtime.  He would later add a goal in the shootout round.  Bulls net minder Taylor Nelson was solid in net as he turned away 40 shots including all three in the shootout.  Nelson also recorded his first shootout victory of the season.  In addition, two other Bulls players had a night of first’s as defenseman Simon Danis-Pepin and forward Bryan Cameron scored their first maker with the Bulls.  Defenseman Rob Kwiet continued his offensive production as he registered his 24th assist of the season.  Furthermore, another Bulls player had a night of first’s as Dylan King tallied his first assist of the year.

Tonight the Bulls will square against former teammates Alex Tuckerman and Martin Lee for the first time.  Both Tuckerman and Lee were involved in a trade that brought  Bryan Cameron to San Francisco, the same thing will apply to Cameron as he faces his old club since the trade.

As of today, the Bulls maintain their six point cushion over the Bakersfield Condors with 47 points to their credit.  In addition, the Bulls are currently in fourth place of the ECHL’s Pacific division with 20-28-1-6 record and an eighth overall spot in the Western Conference.  For the Utah Grizzlies, they have 49 points just two in front of the Bulls and seventh overall in the West.  Moreover, the Grizzlies are currently in last place in the ECHL’s Mountain Division with a 21-27-3-4 record.

Official Stats Report:

San Francisco Bulls winger #91 Peter Sivak. Mandatory Credit: San Francisco Bulls media department.

Bulls Leaders

Goals: Peter Sivak – 26

Assists: Rob Kwiet – 24

Points: Peter Sivak/Dean Ouellet – 46

Plus/Minus: Scott Langdon – +9

PIM: Scott Langdon – 112

Wins: Thomas Heemskerk – 12

GAA: Thomas Heemskerk – 3.19

Save %: Thomas Heemskerk – 0.901

Shutouts: N/A

Who’s Hot

Jordan Morrison – 7 points (4g, 3a) in the past 10 games

Christian Ouellet – 6 points (0g, 6a) in the past 10 games

Utah Grizzlies forward #19 Colin Vock. Mandatory Credit: Utah Grizzlies media department.

Utah Leaders

Goals: Colin Vock – 20

Assists: Mitch Wahl – 40

Points:  Mitch Wahl – 59

Plus/Minus: Multiple Players – 0

PIM: Tommy Maxwell – 190

Wins: Andrew Engelage – 9

GAA: Andrew Engelage – 2.83

Save %: Andrew Engelage – 0.914%

Shutouts: Andrew Engelage – 1

Who’s Hot

Mitch Wahl – 13 points (5g, 8a) in the past 10 games

Colin Vock – 7 points (3g, 4a) in the past 10 games

***Stats courtesy of the San Francisco Bulls.***

Official Link: http://sfbulls.com/news/bulls-continue-with-road-trip-in-utah/

San Francisco Bulls/Worcester Sharks forward Yanni Gourde. Mandatory Credit: Worcester Sharks/San Francisco Bulls.

The Loan Front:

Today the Worcester Sharks sent forward Yanni Gourde to the San Francisco Bulls on a loan assignment.  Yanni Gourde will be re-united with fellow teammate Mikael Tam.  Gourde on the season with Worcester, has played 44 and has recorded seven goals and three assists.  Prior to playing in the AHL, Gourde posted a league high 124 points in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.  In that same season in the QMJHL he was named league MVP.

Tonight’s contest has a 6:05p start time at the Maverik Center.  The matchup can be heard on KNBR.com and for America One Sports subscribers on Americaonesports.com

LET’S GO BULLS!!!!!!!!!!

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San Francisco Bulls @ Idaho Steelheads February 23, 2013. Mandatory Credit: Mike Tkacheff

By Charles Richards

BOISE, Idaho – Tristan King scored in regulation, and in the shootout to victimize his former team, and help the San Francisco Bulls (20-28-1-6) defeat the Idaho Steelheads (35-15-1-5) 4-3, Saturday night at CenturyLink Arena. Taylor Nelson made 40 saves, and stopped all three Idaho shootout attempts in the victory. Bryan Cameron and Simon Danis-Pepin also scored their first goals as members of the Bulls. The Bulls’ win coupled with the Bakersfield Condors’ loss in regulation gives the Bulls a six-point cushion for the final playoff spot.

The Steelheads exerted their home dominance over the Bulls in the first period. San Francisco was out-shot 18-6 in the opening period, and almost escaped to the dressing room unscathed. Mike Towns scored for Idaho with 41 seconds remaining in the period on a back-hand shot that just squeaked through the pads of Nelson. David Toews picked up the lone assist on the goal.

The Bulls scored twice in the second period, both equalizing the score. Danis-Pepin scored his first goal in a San Francisco sweater at 3:21 of the period to tie the game at one. Danis-Pepin’s wrist shot cleanly beat goaltender Josh Robinson. Dean Ouellet picked up the only assist on the play.  Idaho took the lead back at 9:32, only four seconds after the Bulls had killed a penalty for too many men on the ice. Tyler Gron scored for the 12th time this season from Brett Robinson. Cameron scored his 16th goal of the season on the power play with 3:48 left in the second period to tie the game at two. Rob Kwiet and T. King assisted on the goal.

King scored his 19th goal against his former team with 9:01 left in the third period to break the tie. King followed up his initial shot, and buried the rebound that kicked out to him leaving Robinson without a chance. Jordan Morrison and D. Ouellet earned the assists on the play. The Bulls could not hold the lead while skating 4-on-4. Gron scored his second goal of the game on a back-hand shot that beat Nelson with 1:54 remaining in the third period. Jeremie Blain and Ian Watters assisted on the game-tying goal.

The game went to overtime, but neither team could find a game-winning goal in the extra period. In the shootout, Cameron, D. Ouellet and King all scored for the Bulls, while Nelson stopped attempts by Gron, Sam Carrick, and B. Robinson.

Bulletins: Scott Langdon dropped the gloves with Mike Towns in the first period…Idaho out-shot the Bulls 43-38…The season series between San Francisco and Idaho is tied at three wins each…The Bulls went 1-for-5 on the power play. Idaho was 0-for-5 on the man-advantage…It was Taylor Nelson’s first shootout victory…Dean Ouellet improved to 4-for-7 in the shootout this season.

The Bulls continue their six-game road trip next Tuesday when they travel to Utah, Colorado, and then Las Vegas. San Francisco returns home to the Cow Palace on March 6 to take on the Alaska Aces. Follow along on KNBR.com and AmericaOneSports.com.

Three Stars of The Game:
1. Tyler Gron (IDH)
2. Tristan King (SF)
3. Mike Towns (IDH)

***Post Game Report provided by the San Francisco Bulls.***

Official Link: http://sfbulls.com/news/bulls-reel-in-steelheads-4-3-in-a-shootout/

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