The Greenville Road Warriors ripped off four unanswered goal en route to a 4-1 win over the South Carolina Stingrays at the BI-LO Center on Friday night. The win improved the Road Warriors‘ record to 2-1-1.
For the first time this season Greenville surrendered the first goal of the game. It took South Carolina nearly the entire first period to register the marker, but Patrick Cullity struck with less than one second remaining in the first period. With the Stingrays on the power play Cullity took a pass from Trent Campbell who was working behind the net. Cullity let loose with a wrist shot that beat Nic Riopel to the glove side. Greenville out-shot the Stingrays 14-9 but could not put a puck past Jared DiMichiel.
In the second period, Greenville’s offense woke up in a big way with three unanswered goals. In just his second game since October 31, 2009 Anton Kharin redirected a point shot by Sam Klassen to tie the game at one 4:00 into the second. The goal was Kharin’s first of the season and it was Klassen’s first pro point. Another professional first gave the Road Warriors a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. Brendan Connolly broke loose on the right wing and snapped a quick wrist shot to the net. DiMichiel made the initial save, but Cullen Eddy pounced on the rebound and potted his first professional goal at 11:48. Greenville extended its lead just 49 seconds later when Julien Brouillette sent home his third goal of the season. Wes Cunningham earned his first assist of the season on the play as Brouillette became the top goal-scoring defenseman in the league.
South Carolina mounted a comeback effort with three power play chances in the third period, including a 1:09 5-on-3 power play. Five shots were sent on net during the power play opportunity, but Riopel was up to task each time he was tested. Andrew Carroll‘s team-leading fourth goal of the season extended the lead to 4-1 at the 16:48 mark. Justin Bowers made a nice pass on the doorstep that led to the goal and Mark Voakes had the secondary assist as each forward extended their assist streak. Eleven different Road Warriors registered a point in the game.
Riopel had 24 saves in picking up his second win of the season and the Road Warriors went 1-for-9 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill.
Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors are back on home ice Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 7:05 p.m. against the South Carolina Stingrays. There is a great Halloween celebration on tap. Kids under 12 who wear a costume can get in for free with a paying adult, and also can take part in a costume parade on the ice during intermission. There will also be trick-or-treating on the concourse with candy and silly bands being given away. Group tickets remain available for groups of 10 or more. You can reserve group tickets by calling 864-674-PUCK or go to www.greenvilleroadwarriors.com for more information.
