ST. JOHN’S, NL – The Newfoundland Growlers roared back from a 4-1 deficit with three third period goals before Joseph Duszak scored the game winner 4:10 into overtime to defeat the Reading Royals 5-4 Tuesday night at the Mile One Centre.
The visiting Royals jumped out to a an early 2-0 lead in the first period on a power play goal by Ralph Cuddemi at the 5:16 mark and a tally a little over four minutes later by Brayden Low. Justin Brazeau responded with a power play score of his own to cut the Growlers deficit to 2-1 heading into the first intermission.
Reading scored the lone goal of the second period as Cuddemi notched his second of the night with Eric Knodel and Frank DiChiara drawing the assists to extend its lead to 3-1 after two.
In the third, Trevor Yates scored the Royals second power play goal of the night at the 6:19 mark, giving the visitors what looked to be a commanding 4-1 lead.
Newfoundland started its comeback when Evan Neugold set up Todd Skirving who jammed the puck in at 9:38. Just over three minutes later, Neugold was in the middle of things as he drew the primary assist on a score by Marcus Power to draw the home team to within one at 4-3.
Then with 4:49 left in regulation, Dylan Vander Esch pulled the Growlers even with a goal assisted by Matt Bradley and Giorgio Estephan, sending the teams into an extra period of hockey.
In the overtime, the Growlers dominated play. They outshot the Royals four to one before Duszak buried the team’s fifth shot into the back of the net for the game winner.
The two teams will meet again Wednesday night at the Mile One Centre with puck drop set for 7 p.m. Newfoundland time (5:30 p.m. Eastern time).
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