Early losses could come back to haunt Bulls

Let's hope nine losses in 13 one-goal decisions endured by the Belleville Bulls earlier this season don't come back to bite them in the collective butt as they battle down the stretch for that, so far, elusive eighth and final playoff spot in the OHL's Eastern Conference.
While they can do nothing about the past, Bulls can sure do something about the present if they can get their moribund road power play off the ground. At last look Bulls were dead-last in the OHL in PP efficiency on the road, plus had lost nine of their last 10 games away from Yardmen Arena.
That won't get you into the post-season.
Starting Thursday in Peterborough, where they have yet to win this season, Bulls have road games left in Ottawa, Kitchener, Oshawa, Kingston, Barrie, Sudbury, Missy and Niagara.
There's not a dog in the bunch, except for Oshawa and Niagara and maybe Kingston, depending on which team shows up. Sudbury? Again, a big maybe.
So, even with the greatest degree of optimism, that's four road wins. Tops.
For a team that has won only six times on the road so far, that's a lot to ask.
But, getting some help on the PP might help. In 142 opportunities with the extra man while on the road, Bulls have scored just 16 times.
On the road, overall, Bulls have scored 56 goals -- worst in the OHL.
At the start of the current season, many OHL observers wondered where the goals would come from in Belleville.
With 20 games to go, we're still wondering.