Newfoundland Growlers defenceman Adam Pardy didn’t play in Game 5 of the ECHL Eastern Conference final after taking a puck to his face the previous night, and the veteran didn’t practise Tuesday at Mile One Centre. However, Growlers’ coach John Snowden said he’s hopeful the Bonavista native will be good to go for the opening game of the Kelly Cup final Saturday night at Mile One.
“You’re always hopeful, but he’s still day-to day right now,” said Snowden, who said it was game-time decision to have Pardy sit out what turned out to be a series-clinching 3-0 win over the Florida Everblades.
Pardy wasn’t the only Newfoundlander on the Growlers to be scratched for the contest. Rookie forward Marcus Power actually missed the last two games against Florida with an undisclosed injury and while he hit the ice Tuesday for practice, it was an abbreviated session.
Snowden said Power is also day-to-day.
“But these things are part of the game, especially when you get this far into the season,” said Snowden, “and anyway, I think we’re built to handle it. It’s been next man up and we’ve always had a player who could come in and the job in any situation.”
Snowden cited the play of Evan Neugold, who replaced Pardy in Game 5 and impressed his teammates in doing so; Neugold was the choice to wear the post-game antler hat that goes to the player deemed to have come up with a clutch performance.
“Evan was ready to go and he played fantastic,” said Snowden.
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