GROWLERS NOW 2-1 ON SEASON

The Newfoundland Growlers came out of the gate firing on all cylinders scoring on two of their first three shots in the game, and proceeded to fill the net all night long as they went on for a commanding 7-3 win.

Giorgio Estephan sniped home his second of the season only 58 seconds in to give the Growlers their first power play goal in franchise history, and keeping the streak of scoring first each game alive in the process.

Brady Ferguson extended the lead to two at 6:05 of the first period after cleaning up the rebound off a nice passing play by James Melindy and Zach O’Brien. Michael Garteig’s only big test in the first period came off Peter MacArthur’s penalty shot attempt with 3:12 to play, but the sprawling Growlers goaltender turned it aside.

The second period was jam-packed with six goals – four from the Growlers and two from the Thunder. Just like the opening frame, the Growlers wasted little time making an impact in the second period as Giorgio Estephan fired home his second of the night just 20 seconds in.

The Thunder got on the board at 8:50 of the middle frame cutting the Growlers lead to two when John Edwardh fired home a power play tally. Brady Ferguson replied under four minutes later netting his second of the night off a huge rebound by Thunder netminder Colton Phinney. Zach O’Brien picked up his fourth assist of the night on the play. Conor Riley brought the Thunder to within two once again making it a 4-2 game, but Sam Babintsev with a beautiful water-bottle-popping shot and Ryan Moore scored for the Growlers just 37 seconds apart to end the second period giving with the Growlers up by four.

Adirondack switched goalies in the final frame, with Alex Sakellaropoulos replacing Colton Phinney who gave up six goals on 26 shots. The Thunder also struck first with Shane Conacher cutting the Growlers lead in half to 6-3 after firing home a rebound off an initial breakaway save by Garteig.

Scott Pooley re-stored the Growlers four goal lead with just 4:30 to play after some nice stick work down low by Matt Bradley to make it a 7-3 game and that held as the final score.