First star Zach O’Brien scored a goal and added two assists as the Newfoundland Growlers left a good impression in their final home game of 2018 as they defeated the Maine Mariners 5-2 in ECHL action at Mile One Centre Wednesday night.
Fellow Newfoundlanders Adam Pardy and Marcus Power also scored for the league-leading Growlers (18-8-1).
Pardy’s first goal of the season came in his second game with Newfoundland. The former NHL defenceman from Bonavista had made his debut in a 6-3 win over Maine Tuesday.
Growlers Stefan LeBlanc and Scott Pooley also tallied, both late in the third period.
Power was the third star, while Newfoundland defenceman Alex Gudbranson got the nod as second star.
With Newfoundland netminder Michael Garteig getting a break after making eight straight starts, Mario Culina was a super sub, turning aside 31 shots. Culina has won all four of his starts this season, not allowing more than two goals in any of them.
Riley Bourbannais and Michael McNicholas replied for the Mariners (12-11-1).
Maine got 25 saves from Brandon Halverson, who made a brief 13-minute appearance with the NHL’s New York Rangers last season (the Mariners are the Rangers ECHL affiliate).
Announced attendance Tuesday was 4,118. Those on hand saw Newfoundland register its 10th win in 14 games at Mile One this season.
The Growlers take on the Beast in Brampton, Ont., on Sunday and then disperse for a considerable Christmas break. After that, they don’t play again until Dec. 28 when they resume their road trio in Reading, Pa., against the Royals.
They’re next home game is Jan. 4 against the Jacksonville Icemen.
