Greyhounds outlast Bulls for share of first

The Soo Greyhounds began a long journey through unfriendly territory on Wednesday night.

Beginning a stretch of seven consecutive games on the road, including a current swing of four games in five nights, the Soo Greyhounds skated away with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Belleville Bulls.

Jeff Carter put together another solid effort and scored both goals for the Hounds as the team finally managed to get over the .500 mark at 13-12-5 for 31 points.

The victory also vaulted the club into a first place tie with the Windsor Spitfires in the Ontario Hockey League west division while holding a game in hand.

In what has been a familiar story in recent games, the Greyhounds were threatened to be outdone by a hot goaltender. Bulls netminder Eric Tobia frustrated the Hounds all night with several huge saves as the locals peppered 41 shots on goal.

After the Bulls grabbed a 1-0 lead just 1:07 into the contest on a goal by Evan Brophy , Carter tied the score in the second period with a wrap around goal while left unattended behind the Bulls net.

In overtime, after a scoreless third period, Carter sealed the win with a goal 49 seconds into the frame.

The Greyhounds also turned in a solid defensive performance by limiting the Bulls to just 15 shots on goaltender Jakub Cech.

Jamie VanderVeeken, an 18 year-old left winger, made his debut in the Hounds lineup after being acquired in a trade that sent veteran Jeff Larsh packing to the Toronto St. Michael's Majors.

The Hounds will visit the Peterborough Petes on Thursday at 7 p.m. before moving down the road to Kingston on Friday at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Hounds conclude their road trip in Ottawa at 2 p.m.

Next week, the Greyhounds will travel to Guelph, Erie and Toronto for three games in three days.

Next home action for the locals is Tuesday, December 28 against the Saginaw Spirit at Memorial Gardens beginning at 7 p.m.

*** KNIGHTS TIE RECORD:

The London Knights tied the Canadian Hockey League record for going 29 consecutive games without a loss with a 5-3 road win over the Kitchener Rangers on Wednesday night.

Rob Schremp and Bryan Rodney paced the Knights attack with a goal and two assists each.

London, who will host this season's Memorial Cup playdowns, will have a chance to break the record on Friday at home against the Guelph Storm. The game will be televised live on Roger's Sportsnet (local channel 32).