Railers drop franchise high fifth straight in 5-2 loss in Newfoundland

Worcester Railers HC at Newfoundland Growlers

November 7, 2018

Mile One Centre

Meeting 3 of 8 vs. Newfoundland this season

Railers are 0-3-0-0 vs. the Growlers this season

Railers drop franchise high fifth straight in 5-2 loss in Newfoundland

Nick Bligh and Woody Hudson score for Worcester in road loss

St. John’s, NFLD – The Worcester Railers HC(3-7-0-0, 6pts) dropped their franchise high fifth straight game with a 5-2 loss to the host Newfoundland Growlers (9-5-0-0, 18pts) in front of 2,709 fansat the Mile One Centre on Wednesday evening. The Railers return home on a 2-3-4 Friday on COUNTRY NIGHT at 7pm vs. the Maine Mariners.

Worcester led 1-0 and 2-1 after second period goals by Nick Bligh and Woody Hudson but the Growlers would score four straight to send the game for their fourth straight victory.  Mitch Gillam made 22 saves before he left due to injury and the Railers goal scored by Hudson was their third power play goal this season as Worcester was outshot 33-17 in the hockey game.  Newfoundland had five different goal scorers and Mario Culina made 15 saves in net for his second win for the Growlers.

Each team had a two-man advantage in the opening period and had three power plays but neither team was able to find the back of the net through 20 minutes of play.  Mitch Gillam was solid with 10 first period saves in net while Mario Culina made six stops for the Growlers.

Nick Bligh (1st) got Worcester on the board at 2:41 after nice work behind the net with he and Austin Block and Bligh found a loose puck on top of the crease and slid it passed Mario Culina.  The Growlers tied the game at 1-1 as rookie Josh Kestner (7th) fired one past Mitch Gillam.  Worcester went back ahead 2-1 as Woody Hudson (2nd) deflected a Mike Cornell blast from the point into the net at 7:24 on the power play.  J.J. Piccinich (1st) tied the score again with a power play marker from on top of the crease at 16:49. With Mitch Gillam lying on his stomach in the crease after he was knocked down by a Growlers player, Brady Ferguson (8th) fired the puck into the vacated net at 17:12 to give Newfoundland their first lead of the game.  Mitch Gillam was attended to for several minutes before he was helped off the ice and was replaced by Evan Buitenhuis.  Shots through 40 minutes were 25-12 for the Growlers as Worcester trailed 3-2 through two periods.

Marcus Power (3rd) added an insurance goal with a breakaway tally on Evan Buitenhuis at 14:59 of the third period and Giorgio Estephan (9th) added an empty netter at 19:29 to give Newfoundland the 5-2 home victory.

Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: Mitch Gillam (22 saves) 2nd star: Stefan LeBlanc 1st star: Brady Ferguson (1-2-3)….Final shots were 33-17 in favor of Newfoundland… Mario Culina (2-0-0-0) made 15 saves on 17 shots for Newfoundland….Mitch Gillam (2-4-0-0) made 22 saves on 25 shots for Worcester before he left due to an injury and Evan Buitenhuis made 6 saves in relief….Worcester went 1-for-5 on the power play while Newfoundland went 1-for-4…. Tommy Kelley (inj), Yanick Turcotte (inj), Connor Doherty, Tommy Tsicos, and Ivan Kosorenkov (immigration) did not dress for Worcester…. Jeff Kubiak is currently on recall with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and recorded a goal and an assist in the Sound Tigers win earlier in the day…Mike Cornell played for St. John’s when the team was in the AHL….Nick Bligh and Woody Hudson each lead the Railers with six points apiece….Mike Cornell and Tommy Panico each had an assist….Woody Hudson had a team high four shots on goal….Worcester lost four straight games twice last year, but not five straight.

What’s on tap?

The Railers return home this Friday on COUNTRY NIGHT presented by NASH ICON with a 7pm faceoff vs. the Maine Mariners at the DCU Center.  The first 1,000 fans will receive a Railers bandana presented by Nash ICON and Jack’s Abby along with a live performance by country artist and Railers season ticket holder Mychael David.  The NASH ICON street team will also be in attendance. EVERY Friday is a 2-3-4 Friday with $2 popcorn, $3 sodas, and $4 Bud Lights in the Bud Light Lounge! Tickets are as low as $15!  Call 508-365-1750 or click HERE for a special ticket offer!

The Railers Tavern, located behind the DCU Center provides hockey fans with a great pregame and postgame atmosphere all season long. Watch all road games broadcast live at Nonna’s (FRI, SAT, SUN) or Railers Tavern (MON-THU) or watch 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 Tom Matthews. Full season memberships, mini plans, and group tickets are on sale now by calling the Railers front office at 508-365-1750or by visiting www.RailersHC.com.

Railers 2.0….Don’t. Miss. Out!