Mariners Fall to Growlers in Tight-Checking Game
February 3, 2023 - ECHL (ECHL)
Maine Mariners News Release
ST. JOHN'S, NL - Zach O'Brien broke a 1-1 tie in the third period and had a hand on all three Newfoundland goals, as the Growlers skated away with a 3-1 victory over the Mariners on Friday night at Mary Brown's Centre. It was the first of three between the two hottest teams in the ECHL, with the Mariners and Growlers having each won nine of their last ten games entering play.
Newfoundland's Derian Plouffe was called for a double-minor for hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct at 13:20 of the first, giving the Mariners a four-minute power play. They used almost the entire four minutes, but Reid Stefanson banged home a rebound at 17:18 for the only goal of the first period, with Gabriel Chicoine and Alex Kile collecting assists.
A Mariners penalty at the end of the first carried over into the second, and the Growlers used their power play to find the equalizer. Zach O'Brien, in his first game since January 14th, moved quickly from backhand to forehand at the goal line to beat the glove of Michael DiPietro and tie the game just 22 seconds into the middle frame. A tight-checking game remained tied 1-1 through 40 minutes.
Just 2:34 into the third, O'Brien netted his second goal of the night when right off a faceoff win, his wrister glanced off a Mariners defender and in. The Mariners killed two penalties late to stay in the game, but Jack Badini's empty netted with 34 seconds to go sealed the game. O'Brien assisting, registered his league-leading 59th point of the season.
DiPietro continued his nice run in a losing effort, stopping 26 of 28, his ninth straight start allowing two or fewer goals. Dryden McKay stopped 24 of 25 in the Growlers net to win his fifth start in a row. The Mariners seven game road win streak came to an end.
The Mariners (24-13-1-1) continue the weekend in Newfoundland with games tomorrow at 5:30 PM ET and Sunday at 12:30 PM. Coverage can be found on the Mariners Broadcast Network via FloHockey and Mixlr, with pregame coverage beginning 15 minutes prior to puck drop. The next home game is Friday, February 10th and is Country Night presented by 99.9 The Wolf. Game time is 7:15 PM against the Trois-Rivieres Lions, and will feature Mossy Oak specialty jerseys. It's also a 1-2-3 Friday: $1 candy, $2 popcorn, and $3 Bud Light Drafts until the start of the 2nd period. More information on upcoming promotions can be found at MarinersOfMaine.com/promotions.
Individual game tickets can be purchased online, at the Ware-Butler Box Office inside the Cross Insurance Arena, or by calling 207-775-3458. Family Four Packs are available for all Saturday and Sunday games and can be purchased here. Season-long ticket plans are also still available. More information on ticketing options is available by calling 833-GO-MAINE, emailing mariners-sales@comcastspectacor.com, or by visiting MarinersOfMaine.com.
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