The Newfoundland Growlers are one win away from the Kelly Cup after a 4-2 win at the Huntington Centre in Toledo in front of 8500 fans.
Brady Ferguson scored the first goal nearly halfway through the first period with a snapshot that handcuffed Walleye goalie, Pat Nagle. Zach O’Brien of St. John’s collected an assist on the play.
The Walleye responded nearly four minutes later on the powerplay as Greg Wolfe jumped on a rebound in front of Growlers goalie, Michael Garteig. The teams headed to the dressing room after 20 minutes tied at 1-1.
The teams once again traded goals in the second period. Ferguson scored his second of the game and Bryan Moore tied the game at two for the Walleye.
Newfoundland found their groove in the third period and with pressure being applied to the Walleye, Kristians Rubins scored his first professional playoff goal at 11:14. The goal would stand as the game-winner. Matt Bradley added a goal five minutes later to secure the 4-2 win for the Growlers.
They can win the Kelly Cup tonight at the Huntington Centre. Puck drop is 9:05 NDT.
Co-owner Dean MacDonald says there was a strong and loud delegation of Newfoundlanders in the building last night. The stadium was sold out, about 8500 fans.
There were about 100 Newfoundlanders there. MacDonald asked one of the players if he could hear them, and he answered “how could you not?”
The ECHL championship trophy, the Kelly Cup, is not in Toledo – it’s in Colorado. The Colorado Eagles won it last year but a former ECHL official says they have yet to return it. Martin Lind, the owner of the Eagles, says they have made numerous attempts to return it but league officials have ignored them. He says it remains in Colorado.
It makes no difference to MacDonald. He doesn’t care if they use a paper cup for the trophy, he just wants a win.