Hull shines in return to Panthers' lineup

Posted By JEFF GARD

Hull hadn't played since the Panthers and Rebels met in Port Hope on Dec. 12, where he received a physical abuse of officials match penalty and was suspended seven games.

Saturday night was the first time since late November that Port Hope had both of its netminders -- Hull and Jory Fuller -- dressed for the same game. On Dec. 12, Fuller was serving the final game of a four-game suspension for leaving the player's bench during a match against Amherstview.

Prior to both receiving suspensions at different times, Hull and Fuller were arguably the best goaltending duo in the league. With the 40-game regular season winding down, the timing couldn't be better for head coach Matt Muir to have two veteran goalies to turn to.

"That's the first game I've had both of them," noted Muir -- who took over behind the bench on Dec. 4 -- of this past Saturday's game. "It's huge. It's good for the players. It was a confidence boost for sure."

It was important to give Fuller a break as Muir credited him for shouldering the workload in Hull's absence. Muir said Hull returned "in fine fashion."

Hull gave up the first Campbellford goal, by Seamus McDougall, near the 14-minute mark of the first period with Port Hope leading 2-0. The Rebels were only able to solve him once more and that goal game 1:19 into the second frame, which cut the deficit to 3-2 at the time.

"He's a character kid, a 20-year-old," Muir said of Hull. "It's important to have those guys, regardless of which position they play."

Nick Camilleri, Trevor Sweetland and Mitch Callieu scored to give the Panthers a 3-1 advantage coming out of the first period.

After Campbellford closed the gap early in the second when Brendan Curry scored, Port Hope gained a two-goal advantage for the third time in the contest when Jesse Sheppard and Brad Heykoop, on a power play, scored.

Logan Arsenault rounded out the scoring in the third with a power play tally. The Panthers were 3-for-9 with the man-advantage. The Rebels were 2-for-13.

"There were a lot of penalties, but I like how we stuck to our game plan for a full 60 minutes," Muir said.

Port Hope will travel to Picton on Thursday to play the Pirates who had a chance last night to gain ground on the Panthers and move further ahead of Campbellford when they faced the winless Frontenac Flyers. The Rebels, meanwhile, edged Picton 6-5 this past Thursday and those teams teams will face off again this Saturday in Campbellford.

Also this Saturday, the Panthers will host the Flyers. Game time is 6:30 p.m. at the Jack Burger Sports Complex.

First-place Napanee and second-place Amherstview will square off twice this week.