Former Dartmouth star Zach O'Brien's goal with 1:29 to go in the third period snapped a 2-2 tie and led the Newfoundland Growlers to a 4-2 win over the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday night in Game 2 of their ECHL North Division Finals series at Mile One Centre in Saint John, Newfoundland.
The series shifts to Manchester for Game 3 on Tuesday.
O’Brien's fourth goal of the playoffs was the back breaker, at 18:31 of the third period. After an offensive zone faceoff win, O’Brien sniped a shot over the blocker of Monarchs goalie Charles Williams to give Newfoundland a 3-2 lead.
Newfoundland added an empty-net goal at 19:35 on the first goal of the playoffs by Derian Plouffe.
Manchester started the scoring at 5:11 of the first period on the first goal of the playoffs by Craig Wyszomirski. Tony Cameranesi won a faceoff in the offensive zone back to Wyszomirski at the point, where he wristed a shot inside the post, past the blocker of Growlers goaltender Michael Garteig.
Newfoundland responded at 7:47 on the second goal of the playoffs by Josh Kestner. Kestner one-timed a shot from the top of the left circle that found its way through traffic and past Williams.
The Growlers took the lead at 12:47 of the third period on the second goal of the playoffs by Brady Ferguson. After a save by Williams, Ferguson followed up the shot at the top of the crease and lifted it over Williams' shoulder.
Manchester responded 55 seconds later, at 13:42, on the third goal of the playoffs by Pavel Jenys. Chris Carlisle wristed a shot from the left point, where Jenys tipped the puck on the way to the net, beating Garteig.
