PORTLAND, ME – October 21, 2018 – Down by one into the late stages of the third period, the Mariners got two goals just seventeen seconds apart from Dawson Leedahl and Alex Kile to rally and defeat the Newfoundland Growlers 4-2, for their first win in franchise history on Sunday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Arena. Connor LaCouvee, in his first professional start, made 32 saves to earn the win.
The Mariners scored the only goal of the first period at 9:42 when John Furgele spotted Drew Melanson with a stretch pass for a partial breakaway up the left wing. Melanson ripped a wrist shot past Growlers goaltender Michael Garteig for his first goal of the season. The opening period featured eight minor penalties and four power plays for each team – none of which were scored upon, but Melanson’s goal came 4-on-4.
Newfoundland got even at 9:45 of the second period when Ryan Moore finished off a 4-on-2 rush, tapping a puck past a sprawling LaCouvee. The Growlers then went ahead at 12:11 on a power play goal from Marcus Power. Newfoundland heavily outshot the Mariners in the second period, 13-4.
The Mariners were awarded a power play at 12:17 of the third period and Dawson Leedahl followed a Ryan Culkin shot to tie the game. On the ensuing shift, Alex Kile took a breakaway pass from Scott Savage and deked Garteig five-hole to put the Mariners ahead. Kile found the empty net from the Growlers blue line in the final minute to seal the game. Kile has scored four goals in four games. Cukin and Melanson finished the game with two assists each. LaCouvee stopped 32 of 34 while Garteig turned aside 20 of 23.
The Mariners next game is Wednesday night at home against the Manchester Monarchs – a 7:00 PM start. Individual tickets can be purchased HERE.
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