Growlers take Game 1 in overtime

Josh Kestner scored 4:58 into overtime to give the Newfoundland Growlers a 4-3 win over the Toledo Walleye in Game 1 of the 2019 Kelly Cup Finals presented by SmileDirectClub in front of 6,261 fans at Mile One Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Newfoundland's Zach O'Brien scored the first goal of the series with under a second remaining in the first period, putting home a pass from Hudson Elynuik for his league-leading 15th goal of the playoffs.

The Growlers extended their lead to 2-0 at 9:46 of the second period. Kestner stole the puck behind the Toledo net and fed Elynuik in front for his fifth postseason goal. Kestner made the score 3-0 just over a minute into the third period with his seventh goal of the playoffs.

Chris Crane scored Toledo's first goal of the series, and spoiled Michael Garteig's bid for a third consecutive shutout, with his third postseason goal at 6:28 of the third period. The Walleye then pulled within one just two minutes later on a power-play goal from Shane Berschbach, who beat Garteig with a wrist shot from the left-wing circle. Greg Wolfe pulled Toledo at 12:51 on a quick shot from the right-wing circle.

Garteig improved to 13-5 in the playoffs with 30 saves. Toledo's Pat Nagle made 34 saves in the loss.

Game 2 of the series is Sunday at 7 p.m. NT from Mile One Centre. Catch all of the action LIVE on ECHL.TV.

2019 Kelly Cup FinalsGame 1 – Toledo 3 at NEWFOUNDLAND 4 (OT)Game 2 – Toledo at Newfoundland – Sunday, May 26 at 7 p.m. NTGame 3 – Newfoundland at Toledo – Wednesday, May 29 at 7:35 p.m. ETGame 4 – Newfoundland at Toledo – Friday, May 31 at 7:35 p.m. ETGame 5 – Newfoundland at Toledo – Saturday, June 1 at 7:35 p.m. ET (If Necessary)Game 6 – Toledo at Newfoundland – Tuesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. NT (If Necessary)Game 7 – Toledo at Newfoundland – Wednesday, June 5 at 7 p.m. NT (If Necessary)