RECAP : GROWLERS VERSUS ROYALS OCT 24

Newfoundland Growlers (4-3-0-0) at Reading Royals (2-1-1-1)

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 – Santander Arena

TEAM                        GOALTENDER                                                        MIN    SA       SV

NFL                            Michael Garteig                                                          59:52   27        26

REA                            Branden Komm                                                          57:27   29        27

Goal Summary

Game Story

The Newfoundland Growlers scored three straight goals to become the first ECHL team to beat the Reading Royals this season in regulation time Wednesday evening at the Santander Arena.   

Both teams played an even up-tempo first period that ended in a scoreless 20 minutes of action but the second period registered a flurry of excitement.

Reading Royals forward Frank DiChaiara opened up the scoring on a powerplay opportunity when a loose puck made its way to his stick and he snapped it between the legs of Growlers goaltender Michael Garteig.

The Growlers responded with a power-play marker of their own, a little over two and a half minutes later, when Sam Babintsev cleaned up a rebound that was laying in the crease of Royals netminder Branden Komm.

Newly acquired defenseman Anthony Cortese created another storyline by scoring the game-winning goal at the 17:12 mark of the second period. Cortese was acquired just one day earlier from the Reading Royals and gladly helped his new club harvest 2 points from the Santander Arena.

With the Royals netminder planted firmly on the bench, Giorgio Estephan potted an empty net goal to seal the victory for the Growlers, who are now 2-1 on their 8-game road trip that continues in Brampton Saturday afternoon.

Quick Hits

• Newfoundland native Marcus Power was a late scratch after the morning skate and is listed as day-to-day

• Giorgio Estephan scored his team-leading 5th goal of the season

• The three stars were 3 – M. Garteig (NFL), 2 – B. Komm (REA) and 1 – A. Cortese (NFL)

What’s Next?

The Newfoundland Growlers continue their eight-game, 18-day road trip that sees them play every team in the North Division, in Brampton on Saturday as they take on the Beast. Catch all the action on nlgrowlers.com/mixlr.