The Greenville Road Warriors continue their six-game season opening home stand tonight against the Florida Everblades. After picking up a 4-1 win last night, Greenville will try to complete a two-game sweep of the Everblades this evening.
About Last Night:
The Road Warriors used a dominant third period effort to turn a close game into a comfortable win. When Florida starter Bobby Geopfert went down with an upper-body injury with 15:16 left to play and the game tied at one Greenville went on the attack. Replacement goalie Jaroslav Janus was beaten by Julien Brouillette, Brendan Connolly, and Matt Schepke (second of the night) in a span of 4:07. Schepke scored the first goal in Road Warriors history at 19:23 of the first by finishing off a 2-on-1 with Chris Chappell, while Nic Riopel picked up his first ECHL win by turning in 26 saves. Alex Imbeault had the lone goal for the Everblades.
So far neither team has been able to win a game in the other’s building. Greenville dropped a pair of preseason games at Germain Arena on October 8 and 9 while Florida continued the trend by dropping last night’s contest. If Matt Schepke keeps up his habits against Florida the odds could be squarely in the Road Warriors’ favor. Including the preseason, the second-year winger from Michigan State has four goals in two games played against Florida.
With tonight being the second game in as many nights between the clubs, it will be interesting to see if tempers flare up. Greenville and Florida wasted no time in building up hostilities with a pair of fights in last night’s game. Igor Gongalsky squared off with Mitch McColm just over halfway through the first period and then Blake Parlett, making his pro debut, dropped the mitts with Trevor Hendrikx.
In winning his pro head coaching debut last night, Greenville’s Dean Stork joined the Idaho Steelheads‘ Hardy Sauter as rookie head coaches in the ECHL to win their first game this season.
Please click here for game notes pg. 1.
Please click here for game notes pg. 2.
Please click here for Greenville Player information.
Please click here for Florida Player information.
The Road Warriors return to action on home ice this Sunday, October 24 against the South Carolina Stingrays at 4:05 pm ET. Great seats are available, including group seating. If you have a group of 10 or more you can save on your tickets, receive preferred seating based on availability, and enjoy other great benefits. Contact a Road Warriors group sales representative today by calling 864-674-PUCK. For more information on everything Road Warriors visit www.greenvilleroadwarriors.com.
