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Dante Salituro Records Hat Trick in Coach Cunniff’s First Win as a Railer

Saturday, November 30th
Dante Salituro Records Hat Trick in Coach Cunniff’s First Win as a Railer

Newfoundland Growlers at Worcester Railers HC

November 29, 2019

DCU Center

Meeting 3 of 9 vs. Newfoundland this season

Railers are 1-2-0-0 vs. the Growlers this season

Dante Salituro Records Hat Trick in Coach Cunniff’s First Win as a Railer

Railers Win on Country Night at the DCU Center

Worcester, MA– The Worcester Railers HC (5-11-1-0, 11pts) snapped out of a seven game skid and picked up a 6-4 regulation home win over the Newfoundland Growlers (12-8-0-0, 24pts) on Friday night in front of 3,150 fans at the DCU Center on Friday night for Coach Cunniff’s first ECHL win as a head coach. The Railers will be back in action Saturday on Nov. 30 vs. the Indy Fuel on Nickelodeon Night at 7pm.

Dante Salituro (3-1-4) recorded the first regular season hat trick in Worcester Railers history while Jordan Samuels-Thomas (1-2-3), Nic Pierog (1-1-2), and Ross Olsson all found the back of the net for Worcester. Connor Doherty (0-2-2) recorded two assists and was named the number three star while Evan Buitenhuis made 23 saves for his first win at the DCU Center since Jan. 12, 2019. Evan Neugold, Riley Woods, Justin Brazeau, and Colt Conrad all scored goals for the Growlers while Maksim Zhukov made 16 saves in the loss as Worcester snapped a six game skid on home ice with the 6-4 win.

Dante Salituro (1st) scored his first goal as a Railer after receiving a pass from Jordan Samuels-Thomas on a five on three power-play at 14:59 giving Worcester a 1-0 lead. With under a minute to go in the frame Riley Woods (7th) sprung free down the right wing side and snapped one through the wickets of Evan Buitenhuis at 19:16. The score was all tied at 1-1 through 20 minutes of play with shots even at 10 a piece.

Newfoundland took a 2-1 lead just 30 seconds into the second period as Colt Conrad was able to fire one by Evan Buitenhuis from the left circle. The Railers matched a period high in goals with three during the middle frame started by Jordan-Samuels Thomas (6th) short-handed who went forehand backhand at the top of the crease. The play was started with a stretch pass from Connor Doherty up to Dante Salituro just inside the blue line who found a streak Jordan Samuels-Thomas to tie the game at 2-2 at 4:08. After the Growlers grabbed a 3-2 lead at 6:36, Dante Salituro (2nd) notched his second goal of the game as he was all alone and hammered one by the glove of Maksim Zhukov to tie the game at 3-3. Connor Doherty picked up his second point of the night when he whipped a shot toward the net which was redirected by Nic Pierog (4th) at 13:14 to give Worcester their second lead of the game. The Railers took a 4-3 lead into the dressing room after 40 minutes play and led in shots 19-16.

A puck free alone in the high slot at 3:45 of the third period allowed for Ross Olsson (3rd) to blast it past the glove of Maksim Zhukov to give the Railers 5-3 lead. With the goaltender pulled Justin Brazeau (8th) made things interesting as he found the back of the net from the top of the right circle beating Evan Buitenhuis low blocker making it a 5-4 game. To seal the deal for the Railers Dante Salituro (3rd) from 175 feet launched one in the back of the net giving Worcester a 6-4 win.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star…. Connor Doherty (0-2-2) 2nd star: Jordan Samuels-Thomas (1-2-3) 1st star: Dante Salituro (3-1-4) …. final shots were 27-22 in favor of Worcester…. Maksim Zhukov (6-7-0) made 16 saves on 21 shots for Newfoundland.… Evan Buitenhuis (2-4-0) made 23 saves on 27shots for Worcester while Tommy Nixon served as the backup …. Worcester went 1-for-4 on the power play while Newfoundland went 0-for-4…. Anthony Florentino (inj), Barry Almeida (inj), Tanner Pond (inj), Shane Walsh (inj), Drew Callin, Bo Brauer, Ivan Chukarov and Jack Stander did not dress for Worcester….  Dante Salituro recorded the first regular season hat trick in Worcrster Railers history…. Evan Buitenhuis recorded his first win at the DCU Center since Jan. 12, 2019….David Cunniff picked up his first win as an ECHL head coach…. Justin Murray tallied his first professional point with an assist…. Nic Periog led all skaters with five shots….. The Michael David Band performed before and during the game….  Jakub Skarek and Linus Soderstrom are currently on recall with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers…. Worcester is now 4-7-0-0 all-time vs. the Growlers and 3-4-0-0 at the DCU Center.

What’s on tap –Spend Thanksgiving Week with the Worcester Railers!

SPECIAL ONLINE TICKET OFFER ALERT FOR ALL THREE HOME GAMES THIS WEEK! 

Score a lower lever ticket and a $5 food voucher for only $20!

Click HERE to purchase for Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday’s games this week!

On Saturday, Nov 30 the Railers host the Indy Fuel at 7pm on a BIG GAME SATURDAY on Nickelodeon Night!  The first 1,000 fans will receive a slap bracelet courtesy of APEX Entertainment. The Railers will wear a special SpongeBob SquarePants jersey which will be auctioned off throughout the game to benefit the Railers Foundation.  Saturday Night Signings will feature a Railers player(s) signing autographs during the first intermission in the Fallon Health Pavilion. Bring a group of 10 or more people to the game and save BIG $$$$ off Box Office pricing and receive a Railers hat for everyone in your group! Plus, score a Railers experience…Zamboni rides, High-Five Tunnel, post-game photo on ice, and more!  Call 508-365-1750 for your customized group experience!

Still and Stir located behind the DCU Center provides hockey fans with a great pregame and postgame atmosphere all season long. Watch all road games broadcast live on ECHLTV.com for a small fee. Listen to all Railers games live on 98.9 Nash ICON with coverage beginning 30 minutes before puck drop with Eric Lindquist and Cam McGuire. Full season memberships, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750 or by visiting www.RailersHC.com.

Worcester Railers Hockey…. Ride the Train!

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DCU Center

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