Railers Come Up Short on The Rock Falling 3-2

Worcester Railers HC at Newfoundland Growlers

December 7th, 2019

Mile One Centre

Meeting 5 of 9 vs. Newfoundland this season

Railers are 1-4-0-0 vs. the Newfoundland this season

Railers Come Up Short on The Rock Falling 3-2

Jordan Samuels-Thomas extends point streak to five games with a goal

Saint John’s, NFLD – The Worcester Railers HC (6-14-1-0, 13pts) allowed three power-play goals and were edged out 3-2 by the Newfoundland Growlers (17-8-0-0, 34pts) on Saturday evening in front of 4,053 fans at the Mile One Centre. The Railers will be back in action at the DCU Center Friday, Dec. 13 vs. the Maine Mariners on a 2-3-4 Friday and a t-shirt giveaway presented by Jack’s Abby.

Kyle Thomas and Jordan Samuels-Thomas each scored goals for Worcester while Evan Buitenhuis made 32 saves in net. Newfoundland scored all three goals on the power-play courtesy of Marcus Power (2-0-2) Trey Bradley while Parker Gahagen made 29 saves picking up his first ECHL win in net.

Evan Buitenhuis was spectacular in the first period as he stopped all 16 shots he faced. The Railers were outshot 16-9 in the opening frame but thanks to Buitenhuis the score was 0-0.

Both teams would get on the scoreboard twice in the second period started by Kyle Thomas (5th) who came barreling down the right-wing side and sent one past the blocker of Parker Gahagen just 1:34 into the frame. The Growlers went on the power-play just nine seconds after the goal and would capitalize at 2:55 tying the game at 1-1. Worcester on the power-play would regain the lead when Jordan Samuels-Thomas (10th) jammed home a rebound after J.D. Dudek threw it on net from the goal line giving the Railers a 2-1 lead at 4:14. For the third time of the stanza Newfoundland went on the man advantage and Trey Bradley (5th) cashed in on a rebound to tie things up at 2-2. Worcester outshot the Growlers 13-10 in the second period, but Newfoundland held the edge 26-22 through 40 minutes of play.

Newfoundland scored the only goal of the third period which came on the power-play on a two on one Riley Woods fired one of the pad of Evan Buitnehuis and Marcus Power (9th) was there to slam home the rebound at 3:19 of the stanza. The Railers went on their third power-play of the game with just 48 seconds left in regulation and with Evan Buitenhuis on the bench and an extra attack for the Railers it was not enough as Worcester fell 3-2.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star…. Evan Buitenhuis (32 saves) 2nd star: Riley Woods (0-2-2)  1st star Marcus Power (2-0-2) ….final shots were 35-31 for Newfoundland…. Parker Gahagen (1-0-0) 29 saves on 31 shots for Newfoundland.… Evan Buitenhuis (3-7-0) made 32 saves on 35 shots for Worcester while Ian Milsoz served as the backup….Worcester went 1-for-3 on the power play while Newfoundland 3-for-4…. Anthony Florentino (inj), Barry Almeida (inj), Tanner Pond (inj), Shane Walsh (inj), Ivan Chukarov, and Ross Olsson did not dress for Worcester…. Mike Cornell, Jakub Skarek, and Linus Soderstrom are currently on recall with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers…. Evan Buitenhuis made his fifth straight start in net…. Barry Almeida joined Coach Cunniff behind the bench…. Jordan Samuels-Thomas (5-5-10) extended his point streak to five games with a goal…. Nic Pierog (2-1-3) extended his point streak to three games with an assist…. J.D. Dudek, David Quenneville, and Nic Pierog all collected assists for Worcester…. The Railers did not have a player wear the “C” as Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Kyle Thomas, and Connor Doherty all wore “A’s”…. Worcester is now 4-9-0-0 all-time vs. the Growlers and 1-5-0-0 at the Mile One Centre.

What’s on tap –Back at the DCU Center!

On Friday, Dec 13 the Railers host the Maine Mariners at 7pm on a 2-3-4 Friday!  Score $2 popcorn, $3 soda, and $4 Bud Light in the Bud Light Lounge! The first 1,000 fans will receive a Worcester Railers Friday the 13th t-shirt courtesy of Jack’s Abby! It is also another Instagram Friday presented by the EDGE at Union Station where one lucky fan will win $100 in Railers merchandise!

On Saturday, Dec 14 the Railers host the Maine Mariners at 7pm on a BIG GAME SATURDAY on BATMAN Night to benefit the Shine Initiative with a Teddy Bear Toss presented by Fidelity Bank! The Railers will wear a special BATMAN themed jersey which will be auctioned off throughout the game to benefit the Shine Initiative. Fans are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear to the game which can then be thrown onto the ice after the Railers score their first goal. The teddy bears will be collected and donated to local charities just in time for the holiday season. Saturday Night Signings will feature a Railers player(s) signing autographs during the first intermission in the Fallon Health Pavilion.

On Sunday, Dec 15 the Railers host the Reading Royals at 3pm on a KIDS GIVEAWAY SUNDAY with the first 1,000 kids 12-and-under receiving a Railers hard hat presented by Rampco Construction Company.  Score a SUNDAY FUNDAY ticket pack which includes four tickets and four beverage vouchers (beer/soda) for just $60!

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!