ROAD WARRIORS TRIPPED UP IN GWINNETT 

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The Greenville Road Warriors were unable to keep their three-game win streak alive as they fell by a 5-3 score to the Gwinnett Gladiators on Saturday night. The loss dropped Greenville’s record to 4-2-1 on the season.

One streak that did survive the loss was Justin Bowers’ goal streak. He extended it to three games by opening the night’s scoring at 9:14 of the first period. With Greenville working on the power play Bowers took a pass on the left wing from Mark Voakes and quickly cut to the middle. Gwinnett goalie Chris Carrozzi was out of position and Bowers quickly wristed a shot in for a 1-0 Greenville lead. Nic Riopel denied 15 Gladiator shots to keep Greenville up by one after 20 minutes of play.

Gwinnett’s power play took over in the second period, however, and propelled the home team to a lead it would not relinquish. Ryan Garbutt started the scoring by tipping in a shot from Derek Nesbitt at the 4:04 mark of the second. Nesbitt put one up in the goal column at 7:32 to put Gwinnett ahead for the first time as Garbutt and Dannick Paquette assisted. Garbutt closed out Gwinnett’s second period scoring by tipping in a pass from Mike Forney at 16:03 of the second. It was the first even-strength goal either team scored.

At 4:29 of the third Bowers potted his second goal of the night with a nifty wraparound on a set up by Shane Harper and Voakes. After tonight’s two-goal effort Bowers has four goals in his last three games. However Greenville wasn’t able to claw any closer to the Gladiators and goals by Paul Flache and Dan Kissle at 10:22 and 13:21, respectively, put the game out of reach. T.J. Reynolds gave Greenville some life with his first of the season at 14:04 just after he exited the penalty box. The Road Warriors would pull Riopel with just under a minute left, but couldn’t dent Gwinnett’s lead any further.

Riopel took his second loss of the season as he made 43 saves. Greenville ended the night 1-for-4 on the power play and 5-for-8 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors are back on home ice on Thursday, November 11 at 7:05 p.m. to take on the Florida Everblades. The Road Warriors will be honoring U.S. Military members by offering free tickets to active military personel and military veterans. Military identification can be presented at the BI-LO Center Box Office to take advantage of this offer. The Road Warriors will also be featuring their Thirsty Thursday promotion with select draught beers and fountain drinks being sold for $1! Visit www.greenvilleroadwarriors.com or call 864-674-PUCK for more information.