67’s goalie Liam Herbst is looked at by a team trainer after a collision with the Bulls’ defenceman Jordan Subban. Photo by Cam Kennedy
By Cam Kennedy
BELLEVILLE – The Belleville Bulls’ faithful welcomed the return of a familiar face to Yardmen Arena as the team picked up a victory over the Ottawa 67’s Wednesday night.
In his first game back with his old squad, Adam Bignell provided a solid blue line presence as the Bulls won 5-4 over their Eastern Conference rival.
Bignell decided to come back for his fifth and final season with the Bulls after skating for the University of Waterloo earlier this season.
“I enjoyed my time at Waterloo. It’s a good program with good coaches and a good group of guys, but part of me wanted to finish my OHL career, you can only finish it once,” Bignell said. “I just didn’t want to have any regrets about it so hopefully I can finish on a good note.”
Arriving in Belleville almost halfway through the regular season, Bignell feels he still as a lot to contribute as an overage player on a young Belleville team.
“I’ve played over 250 games and I’ve got some playoff experience too so I can help the young guys along and play some dependable minutes.”
Separated by only two points in the standings prior to Wednesday night’s game, the Bulls and the 67’s provided a game with thrilling back and forth action.
The third period saw Jeremiah Addison tie the game 4-4 for the 67’s with 11 minutes remaining in the third.
With 1:01 left in the game, forward Remi Elie broke the tie zipping a wrist shot past 67’s goalie Liam Herbst.
Bulls forward Brett Gustavsen spoke highly of his teammate Elie, who earlier this week was named to Canada’s world junior selection camp.
“He’s a great player who has all the skill in the world you know, but that’s not what got him to where he is,” Gustavsen said. “It’s his work ethic. If you ever watch him in the corners, he wins pretty much every battle he gets into and that’s what makes him the player he is.”
Gustavsen scored twice in a game played against his former team.
The Bulls will play the 67’s two more times in their next four games but not before travelling to Kingston Friday night to square off against the Frontenacs.
The Erie Otters, who currently sit in first place in the Western Conference, travel to Belleville Saturday night looking to avenge a 3-1 loss to the Bulls on November 29th.
Puck drop is at 7:05pm.
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