The Greenville Road Warriors continue their three-game series against the Florida Everblades at the BI-LO Center at 7:05 p.m. tonight. The Road Warriors won the first two games of the series on Thursday and Friday and can complete the sweep with a win tonight.
RECAPPING THE ACTION:
11/12 – GRW 6 – FLA 3
The first time Greenville scored six goals against the Everblades the result wasn’t quite as favorable as it was last night. Florida picked up a 7-6 overtime win over the Road Warriors on October 24, but last night the Road Warriors defense and goaltending played well enough to make the lead stand up. Greenville had to kill off four consecutive Florida power plays in the first period before Julien Brouillette’s team-leading sixth goal of the season put the Road Warriors up 1-0. Dov Grumet-Morris made 11 saves to help the lead stand up. In the second Greenville’s power play got on track nicely with a pair of scores. Mark Voakes pounded home a 5-on-3 power play goal with a set up from Justin Bowers. Voakes returned the favor a few minutes later by feeding Bowers for a 5-on-4 PPG. The teams swapped three goals each in the third period with Brendan Connolly (2) and Brandon Wong cashing in for the Road Warriors. Shane Harper had his best game of the season with three assists, all in the third period, and Wong’s goal was his first as a pro. Florida picked up goals from Phil Paquet, Mitch Fadden, and Francis Lemieux, but a comeback never materialized. Grumet-Morris made 29 saves in his first win of the season.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:
Greenville is looking to continue its strong play at the BI-LO Center. The Road Warriors have won five straight on home ice and have out-scored opponents 23-11 in those games. The Road Warriors had a favorable schedule to open their inaugural season with 12 of their first 15 games coming at the BI-LO Center. A win tonight would tie Greenville’s longest win streak of the season at three and it would be Florida’s longest losing streak of the season at three.Prior to last night the Everblades had not lost back-to-back games since October 16 and 21.
Greenville’s young guns have been very productive of late, particularly Marc-Olivier Vallerand and Shane Harper. With three assists last night Harper not only had his best game as a pro but also built his point streak up to four games. The former Everett Silvertip has two goals and four assists over the course of the streak. Vallerand, meanwhile, had a helper last night giving himself four points (1G, 3A) in his last two games. Vallerand is tied for the league lead in rookie scoring with nine points (3G, 6A) and is second with six assists. Harper is lurking back in 10th among rookie scorers with two goals and five assists.
Julien Brouillette was hot to start the season and hasn’t slowed down since the calendar flipped to November. With a goal and an assist last night he maintained his spot as the top scoring defenseman in the league. His six goals are two better than the next closest blueliner and his 11 points are one better than Florida’s Elgin Reid. Brouillette is the only defenseman in the league who leads his team in points and in goals.
Please click here for Game Notes page one.
Please click here for Game Notes page two.
Please click here for Road Warriors player info.
Please click here for Everblades player info.
Tonight the Road Warriors will be paying tribute to local first responders. EMTs, paramedics, firefighters, and police officers can get free admission to tonight’s game by showing their identification at the BI-LO Center Box Office beginning at 1:00 p.m. today. The offer is good for one free ticket per ID. Good seats remain available but are going fast. For more information on tonight’s game please call the Road Warriors at 864-674-PUCK.
