RECAP | GROWLERS ADVANCE TO EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Newfoundland Growlers (4-1) vs. Reading Royals (1-4)Saturday, May 13 – St. John’s, NL

2023 North Division Final: Newfoundland win series 4-1

OFFICIAL GAME SHEETGame Story

The Newfoundland Growlers advanced to the Eastern Conference Final thanks to a 5-2 Game 5 win over the Reading Royals on Saturday night at Mary Brown’s Centre.

Zayde Wisdom opened the scoring for Reading just over two minutes into the contest with a heavy backhand shot to give the Royals an early 1-0 lead.

Pavel Gogolev and Tyler Boland scored two and a half minutes apart late in the first period to give the Growlers a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Orrin Centazzo made it 3-1 Newfoundland just 14 seconds into the middle frame before Charlie Gerard clawed one back for Reading late in the 2nd to cut it to 3-2 Newfoundland.

Gogolev notched his second powerplay snipe of the game in the last minute of the second period to put Newfoundland up 4-2 going into the third period.

Todd Skirving provided an insurance tally with 3:47 to go as he finished off a great 2-on-1 rush to make it a 5-2 final sending the Growlers back to the Eastern Conference final for the second straight season.

Quick Hits

• Pavel Gogolev picked up four points (2G, 2A).
• Dryden McKay made 20 saves for his 8th win of the playoffs.
• Newfoundland await the winner of Florida vs. Jacksonville to determine their Eastern Conference Final opponent.

Three Stars:

1. NFL – P. Gogolev2. NFL– O. Centazzo3. NFL – T. Boland