OSHAWA, Ont. - Parker Van Buskirk made 28 saves in relief as the Belleville Bulls charged back from an early 3-0 deficit for a 4-3 win over the Oshawa Generals Friday in Game 2 of the OHL Eastern Conference final.
With the win, Belleville takes 2-0 series lead. Oshawa jumped out to the 3-0 lead just 3:56 into the game, but the Bulls responded when Mike Murphy was pulled in favour of Van Buskirk at that point.
Second-period goals by Adam Perry, Eric Tangradi, Shawn Lalonde and captain Matt Beleskey gave the Bulls the lead, and Van Buskirk made 10 saves in the third period to preserve it.
Corey Cowick had two chances to tie the game late, but fanned on one shot and was robbed by Van Buskirk on another.
The Bulls now own a 2-0 series lead with Game 3 Saturday in Belleville, Ont.
Dale Mitchell staked the Generals to the lead with two goals before the game was 1:31 old, and Brett Parnham made it 3-0 on a power play, driving Murphy to the bench.
John Tavares was held off the scoresheet for the Generals and also gave the puck away on Beleskey's winner late in the second period.
Generals goalie Daryl Borden made 44 saves as Belleville outshot the Generals badly for the second straight game, this time 48-33.
Oshawa went 1-for-4 on the power play, while the Bulls were 0-for-6.