RECAP | GROWLERS DROP GAME ONE 6-2

20 May 2023

By Brady Reid

Newfoundland Growlers (0-1) vs. Florida Everblades (1-0)
Friday, May 19 – Estero, FL

2023 Eastern Conference Final: Florida lead series 1-0

The Newfoundland Growlers dropped Game One of the Eastern Conference Final in a 6-2 loss to the Florida Everblades on Friday night at Hertz Arena.

Blake Winiecki opened the scoring for Florida just 3:29 into the first period as he walked out from behind the Growlers net and sniped one shortside to make it 1-0 Everblades early.

Tyler Irvine doubled the Everblades lead with 33 seconds left in the opening period as he finished off a 2-on-1 to put Florida up 2-0 through 20 minutes of play.

Newfoundland came out flying in the second period as Orrin Centazzo and Keenan Suthers both found the back of the net within four minutes of the middle frame to make it 2-2.

Florida however were the ones finishing the second period strong as Ben Masella, Winiecki (his second of the night) and Will Calverley scored three goals in 4:19 to put the Everblades up 5-2 going into the third period.

Logan Lambdin found an empty Newfoundland net with 59 seconds left in regulation to seal a 6-2 victory for the Everblades.

Quick Hits

Keenan Suthers leads the Growlers with six playoff goals.
Newfoundland PK was 6/6.
Game Two goes tomorrow night at 8:30pm.

Three Stars:

1. FLA - B. Masella
2. FLA - B. Winiecki
3. FLA - W. Calverley