READING, Pa. – The Newfoundland Growlers took game two of the North Division Final with a thrilling 5-4 overtime win over the Reading Royals on Sunday evening at Santander Arena.
Mason Millman and Evan Barratt struck in the first 13 minutes of the to give Reading an early 2-0 lead before Pavel Gogolev and Nolan Walker scored 82 seconds apart late in the opening period to make it 2-2 after 20 minutes.
Mikko Kokkonen gave the Growlers their first lead of the game with 4:57 left in the middle frame but Barrett’s second the night just 15 seconds later ensures things got back to level heading into the third period at 3-3.
Devon Paliani restored the Royals lead 1:47 into the third with a shot right off the faceoff to make it 4-3 Reading.
Kokkonen joined the two-goal party with a 4-on-4 snipe with 12:05 left in regulation to level things up at 4-4 and force overtime to decide game two.
Zach Solow provided the heroics for Newfoundland as his powerplay blast 12:25 into the overtime period gave the Growlers a crucial 5-4 victory and a 2-0 series lead.
Game Three and the final road game of the series takes place on Tuesday night at Santander Arena (8:30pm NL time)
With Newfoundland Growlers release
Newfoundland leads series 2-0
Game 1 –Â NEWFOUNDLAND 3Â at Reading 0
Game 2 –Â NEWFOUNDLAND 5Â at Reading 4Â (OT)
Game 3 – Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m. ET at Reading
Game 4 – Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. NT at Newfoundland
Game 5 – Saturday, May 13 at 7 p.m. NT at Newfoundland (If Necessary)
Game 6 – Monday, May 15 at 7 p.m. NT at Newfoundland (If Necessary)
Game 7 – Tuesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. NT at Newfoundland (If Necessary)
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