Five goal second period sends Growlers to win

ST.JOHN’S, NFL – The Newfoundland Growlers found themselves back in the win column Tuesday night after dropping two straight on the weekend, sinking the Maine Mariners 6-3 at Mile One Centre.

Sean Day opened the scoring with a stroke under three minutes to play in the opening period, giving the Mariners a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. The Growlers generated quality chances on three first-period power plays, but Connor LaCouvee stood tall between the pipes for the Mariners stopping all nine shots faced.

Justin Breton doubled the lead for the Mariners at 3:15 of the second period after banging in his own rebound, making it a 2-0 lead, but after that is was all Growlers as they put up a season-high five goals in a single period during the second.

Griffin Molino cut the lead in half at 5:41 of the second period, going five-hole on LaCouvee for his second goal in as many games since being assigned by the Toronto Marlies.

Derian Plouffe tied the game at 8:26 of the middle frame, capitalizing on a perfect pass from J.J. Piccinich, and just 34 seconds later Scott Pooley gave the Growlers their first lead of the game on a floater from the point for his 12th of the season, making it a 3-2 score.

The lead didn’t last long however, as just 1:25 later John Furgele evened the score at 3-3.

Matt Bradley continued the back-and-forth second period with 4:53 to go in the second period, sniping home his fifth of the season to re-store the Growlers lead and make it a 4-3 game. Marcus Power extended the lead to two with 28 seconds left in the second period making it 5-3 after 40 minutes, and ending LaCouvee’s night after allowing five goals on 27 shots.

Giorgio Estephan fired home his team-leading 13th of the season with 4:47 left in the third period doubling the lead to 6-3, which held up as the final score.

Quick Hits: Adam Pardy made his season debut for the Growlers and recorded an assist on Scott Pooley’s goal… J.J. Piccinich extended his point streak to five games… The three stars were 3 – A. Pardy (NFL), 2 – J. Piccinich (NFL) and 1 – M. Bradley (NFL).

What’s Next?: The Newfoundland Growlers play their final home game of 2018 in a rematch against the Maine Mariners Wednesday night at Mile One Centre. Puck drop is 7 p.m.

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