By Andrew Austin

Score: The Bulls celebrate a goal by Cory Tanaka. Matt Beleskey assisted on the play. The Bulls lead the semi-final series. Photo by Andrew AustinThe Belleville Bulls clashed with the Oshawa Generals in the first game of the Eastern Conference Championship series and won the hard-fought battle with a tight score of 3-2.
The game was close from beginning to end: The first period brought a goal for both teams in two minutes. The Bulls' took the lead while shorthanded. The first period ended with the Bulls' ahead by two. Both teams had the same amount of shots on net.
It was in the second period when the Bulls' took charge offensively, placing heavy the pressure on Oshawa goal tender Daryl Borden. Borden had a strong game stopping 45 shots out of 48.
A.J. Perry, an acquisition from London showed strong with two of the three goals.
"Perry has played great for us since he came over from London, he had a play-off where his scoring numbers were down a little bit, but he has done a lot of other things for this club, it's nice to see him rewarded," said George Burnett, the Coach for the Bulls.
Perry was happy with his performance.
"It was a good feeling after a seven-game scoreless streak," said A.J. Perry.
The series is expected to be difficult according to Burnett.
"It's not going to be a cake walk."
"They are such an opportunistic and explosive team that you never feel like you've got one in hand against these guys, tonight was a great example where we were up a couple. We made a few mistakes and then it's in our net," he said. Captain of the Generals, said that losing the first game of the series is hard. Generals' coach Chris DiPiero stressed the importance of looking ahead after the loss.
During a press conference the idea of ice conditions affecting the Generals' game was given to Generals' coach Chris DiPiero. DiPiero responded by saying that ice would be an easy excuse.
The second period ended with a five on three with an Oshawa advantage, but the Bull's held them off long enough to level the playing field once again. With beautiful saves by both goalies this game was a highlight for both teams' defensive line. With a large amount of penalties the defensive players made the difference.
The last minute of the game had the same sort of intensity of the beginning; Oshawa kept the pressures on, a testament to both teams' endurance.