Growlers Fall 6-5 to Royals in Game 4 Thriller
Published on May 11, 2022 under ECHL (ECHL)
Newfoundland Growlers News Release
The Newfoundland Growlers once again fell behind early and emptied the tank late but it was not enough in Game 4 of the North Division Final as they fell 6-5 to the Reading Royals on Wednesday evening at Mary Brown's Centre.
Trevor Gooch opened the scoring for Reading with his team's first shot of the game just over two minutes into the first as he beat Keith Petruzzelli from in tight on the power play to make it 1-0.
Brennan Saulnier doubled the visitors lead moments later with a hot tight angle shot over the glove of Petruzzelli to make it 2-0 Royals with 14:45 left in the 1st.
Marc Johnstone got one back for the Growlers quickly as he tipped a Ben Finkelstein point shot past Logan Flodell to cut the Reading lead to 2-1.
Patrick Bajkov regained a two-goal advantage for the Royals with 5:38 left in the 1st as he took full advantage of some loose play in the Newfoundland zone to beat Petruzzelli from between the hashmarks to make it 3-1 Reading after 20 minutes.
Orrin Centazzo got Newfoundland back within one three minutes into the middle frame as he cleaned up a loose puck in front of the Royals goal and beat Flodell to make it 3-2 Royals.
Frank DiChiara wasted little time restoring the Royals two goal lead as he beat Rylan Parenteau, now in goal in place of Petruzzelli, short side on the man advantage to bring it to 4-2 Reading with 14:40 left in the 2nd.
Noel Hoefenmayer made it 4-3 just over a minute later with a shorthanded strike as Johnstone put in plenty of work behind the Reading goal on the penalty kill before spotting the streaking Hoefenmayer who made no mistake out in front. Newfoundland trailed 4-3 after two periods.
Saulnier picked up his second of the game in the third period as Brad Morrison showed great patience on the powerplay to outwait Parenteau before setting up Saulnier at the backdoor to put the Royals ahead 5-3 with 13:24 left in regulation.
Gooch joined the two-goal club with yet another power play goal for the Royals - this one on a 5-on-3 - as he sniped one from a tight angle to make it 6-3 Reading with 9:02 left in the game.
Centazzo made it pair himself as he once again played clean up atop the Reading crease to cut it to 6-4 with 6:12 to go.
Ben Finkelstein got the Growlers within one with 1:15 left in the game with a 5-on-3 rocket but Newfoundland couldn't find another goal at the death as Reading held on for a 6-5 victory in a feisty penalty filled affair.
Quick Hits
Ben Finkelstein notched three points (1G, 2A).
The two sides combined for six special teams goals.
Newfoundland remain at the Mary Brown's Centre for a must win Game 5 vs. the Reading Royals on Thursday night.
Three Stars:
1. REA - T. Gooch
2. NFL - O. Centazzo
3. REA - F. DiChiara
ECHL Stories from May 11, 2022
- Rush Blanks Grizz 3-0 to Extend Playoff Series - Utah Grizzlies
- Parik, Rush, Blank Grizzlies, 3-0 - Rapid City Rush
- Rush Defeat Grizz 3-0 to Extend Series to 6th Game - Utah Grizzlies
- Vander Esch Seals Series Sweep for Everblades, 1-0 in OT - Florida Everblades
- Gooch, Saulnier Score Twice as Royals Defeat Growlers in Game 4 - Reading Royals
- Growlers Fall 6-5 to Royals in Game 4 Thriller - Newfoundland Growlers
- ECHL Transactions - May 11 - ECHL
- Game Notes: Game 5 vs Utah - Rapid City Rush
- Grizzlies Gameday: Game 5 in the Black Hills. Utah Leads Series 3-1 - Utah Grizzlies
- Adirondack Thunder Part Ways with Head Coach Alex Loh - Adirondack Thunder
- Americans Announce Decision on Coaching Plan - Allen Americans
- Everblades One Win Away from Spot in Eastern Conference Finals - Florida Everblades
- Royals Take 2-1 Series Lead into Game 4 against Growlers - Reading Royals
- Rush Defeat Grizz 6-5 to Keep Series Alive - Utah Grizzlies
- Rush Defeat Grizz 6-5 in Overtime to Keep Series Alive - Utah Grizzlies
- Nelson, Rush, Charge Back, Beat Utah in OT, 6-5 - Rapid City Rush
- Nelson, Rush, Charge Back, Beat Grizzlies in OT, 6-5 - Rapid City Rush
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
