The Newfoundland Growlers are 4-1 at Mile One Centre so far through the ECHL playoffs, after posting the second-best home ice record in the Eastern Conference this season.
So it goes without saying the Growlers are happy to be back in the Pound for Game 6 of their North Division final against the Manchester Monarchs 7 o’clock tonight at Mile One.
“I don’t think home ice can be overstated,” said Newfoundland netminder Michael Garteig.
“It’s definitely an advantage. When you get to play at home and sleep in your own bed, I think it makes a difference, to have that little bit of support behind you. And when you get the fan support that we receive, I think it does matter.”
The Monarchs forced a sixth game with a 2-1 overtime win Friday night in New Hampshire. The Growlers lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.
If a Game 7 is required, it will be played Tuesday night at Mile One.
The Growlers and Monarchs split the first two games of the series at Mile One.
It’s been a close series, with three games decided by a goal. Games 2 and 3 were two-goal games, but an empty net goal was scored in each.
“It can be nerve-wracking, but it’s part of the job,” said Garteig, who boasts a 2.54 goals against average and .917 save percentage through the Kelly Cup post-season. “I’ve been doing this for years now. I wouldn’t say it ever gets easy, but it’s part of the game, part of being a goaltender which is harnessing pressure and giving your team a chance to win.”
In Exeter, N.H., Friday night — the game was played there because the SNHU Arena in downtown Manchester was previously booked for Monster Trucks — Pierre-Luc Mercier scored 2:16 into overtime to give the Monarchs the win.
Scoring in regulation time came in the second period, with the Monarchs’ David Kolomatis and Zach O’Brien trading goals three minutes apart.
O’Brien’s seventh goal leads all Newfoundland goal-scorers.
Both goalies, Garteig and the Monarchs’ Charles Williams, made 30 saves.
The winner of the Newfoundland-Manchester series will take on the Florida Everblades for the Eastern Conference crown, and a trip to the Kelly Cup final on the line.
The Everblades got a goal from John McCarron at 14:48 of double overtime Friday night to beat the Orlando Solar Bears 2-1 and take their best-of-seven series in five games.
