With the Worcester Railers coming back home to the DCU Center after a week and a half, a road trip is much needed as their push for the playoffs is dwindling. The Railers will be playing playoff intensity hockey for the rest of the season, and standing in their way tonight is the first of three versus the Newfoundland Growlers to end the week. Not much separates the Railers and Growlers, where the Railers sit at 27-28 and the Growlers at 27-26. The Railers would win 5-2 while outshooting their opponent 39-35.
As expected, right out of the gate, the Railers brought the intensity, fighting for every puck. The Railers make quick line changes to keep everyone at full stamina. The Railers recent goaltender pick-up of Henrik Tikkanan is a brick wall in the net. The Growlers held possession most of the first period, where the Railers kept needing to fend off the puck. With about 11:34 left in the first period, there was a scrum at the net that involved everyone, and unfortunately, the Railers were unable to capitalize. With 11:05 remaining in the period, the Growlers were too much for the Railers, where forward Keenan Suthers blew by the defense on a fast break into the back of the net assisted by forward Jackson Berezowski. The Growlers seemed to overpower the Railers at every turn. The Railers were looking for any bit of spark when a one-timer by Railers forward Brendan Robbins was gloved by Growlers goalie Vyacheslav Peska. The Railers would enter the locker room down 1-0.
For the second period, the Railers looked to regain their footing after the sloppy collision-filled first period. The Worcester Railers earned a power play caused by defenseman Brandon Tabakin for tripping. Where they remained on the attack, trying to put the five-on-four to good use. The Railers come out of the other side with nothing to show for it. The Railers finally got one to the back of the net, evening the score as forward Zach White nets one, being assisted by forwards Joey Cipollone and Brendan Robbins. Shortly thereafter, The Growlers match the Railers score with one of their own, with forward Brock Caufield scoring off the feed from forward Neil Shea. The clear passion on the player’s faces was visible, fighting for every loose puck.
With one more period remaining in a crucial playoff race game, the Railers came out firing. Worcester won the face-off to try to get ahead. A one-timer scored by new Railers defenseman CJ Regula, where he scored his first professional goal to tie the game at two apiece, sent the crowd into a frenzy. With the clock winding down, forward Keeghan Howdeshell was able to weave through the defenders and put one past Growlers goaltender Peska to give the Railers a 3-2 lead, which gave them enough for the win in a 5-2 final and improve their playoff chances.
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