James Melindy’s timing was spot on for his first goal as a Newfoundland Growler, snapping a 2-2 tie mid-way through the third period to lead the Growlers to a 5-2 ECHL win over the Worcester Railers Friday night at Mile One Centre.
It was the first game home for the Growlers following a five-game road trip, who made a winner of their new head coach in his first game in St. John’s. John Snowden replaced Ryan Clowe last week after the latter resigned from his job as head coach for medical reasons.
The Growlers, 28-12-0, also made a winner of Eamon McAdam, who has been with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies most of the year.
McAdam, who was reassigned to Newfoundland just over two weeks ago and made 27 saves Friday, started the first game of the year for the Growlers, a 3-2 win over Florida , but has been in Toronto ever since.
Derian Plouffe, Zach O’Brien, Hudson Elynuik and Scott Pooley, the latter two into empty nets, also scored for the Growlers.
Worcester led 2-1 until 90 seconds into the third period when O’Brien tied things up. It stood that way until the 11:54 mark when Melindy, the Goulds native who is in his sixth pro season, scored the go-ahead goal on a play with Giorgio Estephen before an announced crowd of 3,951.
Nick Sorkin and Tyler Barnes had the Railers goals.
The teams play against 7 o’clock tonight at Mile One.
