Zach O’Brien’s goal Friday night in North Charleston, S.C., was doubly memorable.
O’Brien’s 20th goal of the season just less than a minute into overtime gave the Newfoundland Growlers a 3-2 win (gamesheet here) over the South Carolina Stingrays in what was the Growlers’ fourth extra-time contest in their last five ECHL games.
This is the first time O’Brien has reached the 20-goal mark in his his six-year pro career. And with 46 points through just 39 games, the 26-year old from St. John’s has already fashioned his best offensive season since his Quebec Major Junior Hockey League days.
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Matt Bradley and James Melindy had the other goals for Newfoundland, which is unbeaten in regulation in its last five games (4-0-1). Four of those games went beyond three perios, with the Growlers (34-13-3) winning twice in overtime and once in a shootout, and dropping an OT decision to the Fort Wayne Komets.
Friday’s result moves North Division-leading Newfoundland to within four points of the Florida Everblades for the Eastern Conference and overall ECHL lead.
Netminder Michael Garteig made 28 saves for his 18th win of the season, second-most in the ECHL.
Patrick Gaul and Tad Kozun replied for South Carolina (25-19-5), while Parker Milner faced 37 shots in the Stingrays’ net. O'Brien's winning tally came on the only shot by either team in overtime.
The Growlers close out a three-game Georgia/South Carolina road swing with a matchup against the Swamp Rabbits (17-31-5) on Sunday afternoon (4:30 p.m. NT) in Greenville, S.C.
