Defenceman Sam Jardine’s goal 23 seconds into overtime sent the Newfoundland Growlers to the next round of the ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs with a 3-2 win over the Brampton Beast Tuesday night at Mile One Centre.
The Growlers took the best-of-seven opening-round series in six games, and will now meet the Manchester Monarchs in the North Division final beginning Friday night at Mile One.
Jardine, who spent most of the season with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies, let go a shot from the right faceoff circle which beat Etienne Marcoux for his first goal as a Growler.
Scott Pooley scored twice for the Growlers, his second and third goals in the post season. David Vallorani and Daniel Ciampini replied for the Beast.
The teams were tied 1-1 after 20 minutes, but Brampton took a 2-1 lead into the third on Ciampini’s goal with 54 seconds left in the middle stanza.
After Pooley scored to tie things up at 13:30 of the third, Brampton’s Jonathan Racine picked up a game misconduct and charging major with six seconds left in regulation time, sending the Growlers to the power play to start overtime.
Michael Garteig stopped 24 of 26 shots in the Growlers’ goal. Marcoux made 26 saves.
