ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland Growlers broke out the brooms Saturday night at Mile One Centre edging the Atlanta Gladiators 6-3 to sweep the weekend series.
Justin Brazeau opened the scoring 4:28 into the game after picking up a loose puck and stick-handling it past Martin Ouellette on the power play for his fifth of the season, and giving the Growlers an early 1-0 lead.
Todd Skirving extended the lead to 2-0 after rifling a snapshot perfectly under the crossbar at 4:30 of the second period for his first of the season, but Logan Nelson cut the lead to one just two minutes later in what was a very chippy second period that had the Growlers ahead 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.
Derek Nesbitt tied the game 2:06 into the third period firing a shot up and over Angus Redmond’s glove, but Zach O’Brien needed only eight seconds to re-store the Growlers lead after forcing a turnover off the ensuing faceoff and squeaking a wrister five-hole for a 3-2 Growlers lead.
Brazeau picked up his second of the night to extend the lead to two after banging home a rebound for a 4-2 lead, and the Growlers got goals off the sticks of Scott Pooley and Brady Ferguson in the final two minutes of play for a 6-2 lead. The Gladiators added a late one from Anthony Collins but that’s as close as the Gladiators would come as the Growlers took a 6-3 decision.
Quick Hits: Scott Pooley extended his point streak to 10 games… Justin Brazeau recorded his first career multi-goal game… The three stars were 3 – A. Redmond (NFL), 2 – T. Skirving (NFL) and 1 – J. Brazeau (NFL)
What’s Next: The Newfoundland Growlers continue their four-game home stand Friday night in a Kelly Cup Finals rematch against the Toledo Walleye, ECHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. Puck drop is 7 p.m. Newfoundland time (5:30 p.m. Eastern time).
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