For the second straight night at the Mile One, the Newfoundland Growlers and Toledo Walleye went to overtime to find a winner, and for the second straight night the Growlers came away with a win, and take a 2-0 series lead in the Kelly Cup Finals.
Scott Pooley was the hero in game two, scoring both goals for the Growlers in the 2-1 win Sunday night.
GROWLERS WIN!!!!
SCOTT POOLEY WITH HIS SECOND OF THE NIGHT.
WHAT A FINISH!! @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/wJ6W3JeiAc
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyVOCM) May 27, 2019
The game was chippy right from the get go, with pushing and shoving from each team before the first puck was even dropped. The first period was fast-paced and hard-hitting with both teams making a couple of trips to the penalty box, but saw neither team capitalize with both teams heading to the dressing room in a scoreless tie.
The Walleye got on the board first making quick-work on the power play following a Hudson Elynuik interference penalty early in the second frame.
The energy from the near sellout crowd was electrifying and loud – and including Saturday night’s game one, they were by far the best crowds the Mile One has seen so far this season.
The second period was much like the first, back and forth with plenty of hitting and scoring chances before a scary incident led to some tense moments as Josh Kestner of the Growlers laid motionless on the ice following a hit to the head from Toldeo’s Kevin Tansey.
It’s loud in here with a “let’s go @NLGrowlers” chant!
Growlers still looking for their first. Just under two left in the second.
1-0 @ToledoWalleye pic.twitter.com/OPzjwyJdlp
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyVOCM) May 26, 2019
Tansey was handed a five minute major and a game misconduct for hitting to the head as Kestner was taken off on a stretcher, sending the crowd into a frenzy. The hit will be a hot topic over the next few days as we wait and see if there will be any further disciplinary action coming from the league in terms of suspension.
The Growlers had 3:47 left of power play time from the 5-minute major to kick off the third period. The home team found a way to even up the game at one’s when Brady Ferguson fed Scott Pooley out front for his 8th of the playoffs. The Growlers would only score one on the five-minute man advantage.
BOOM. Scott Pooley scores off a bullet on the PP and sends the crowd into a FRENZY.
Tied at one’s with 17:19 left in the third. Growlers still have a minute left on the PP. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/nH8oTYbNis
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyVOCM) May 26, 2019
The rest of the third would solve nothing, and the two teams went to overtime for the second straight night. Pooley fired the puck home with 3:59 left in the overtime period to seal the deal after a number of scoring chances from both teams.
The series now shifts to Toledo for games 3 and 4 Wednesday and Friday night, and game 5 if necessary on Saturday.
The Growlers leave the ice to a standing ovation and Pooley receives more warm cheers for the crowd after he’s named first star.
Growlers heading to Toledo with a 2-0 series lead in the Kelly Cup Finals. Game 3 goes Wednesday, game 4 on Friday. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/UQR8qB5NPF
— Ben Murphy (@BenMurphyVOCM) May 27, 2019