The Greenville Road Warriors begin a four-game road trip tonight with a visit to the Wheeling Nailers. Faceoff at WesBanco Arena is set for 7:05.
RECAPPING THE ACTION:
11/21/10 – GRW 1 – GWT 2
Rookie goalie Brian Stewart made his first ECHL start for the Road Warriors and turned in a 32-save performance against the Gladiators. Greenville sailed 41 shots on Gwinnett goalie Chris Carrozzi but was only able to punch one past him. Paul McIlveen notched his first goal as a Road Warrior at 15:51 of the second period by finishing up a 2-on-1 with Brendan Connolly. The goal tied the game at one after Michael Forney put Gwinnett ahead 5:30 into the second. Pat Galivan netted the eventual game winner with 7:18 left in regulation. Chris Poli stole a Greenville clearing attempt and centered the puck to an open Galivan who beat Stewart to the stick side. Greenville finished the game 0-for-8 on the power play and 7-for-7 on the penalty kill.
11/21/10 – WHL 1 – S.C.0
The Nailers rolled into Charleston last Sunday looking to snap a five-game loosing streak. They did just that behind 22 saves from rookie goalie Patrick Killeen who picked up his second shutout and league-leading seventh win of the season. The Nailers’ penalty kill came through with four successful thwarts of South Carolina power plays and even chipped in the game-winning shorthanded goal. Ex-Hartford Wolf Pack defenseman David Urquhart potted his first goal of the season 1:44 into the third with David Marshall serving a boarding minor. Jared DeMichiel had 32 saves for the Stingrays in the loss.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:
The Road Warriors enter tonight’s game with the fewest road games, and most home games, played in the ECHL. They are also the only team in the league yet to win a road game this season. The elixir may be that it is a non-divisional road game as all of the Road Warriors’ road losses have come against South Division opponents. The penalty kill has been one area to look for improvement from. Greenville is 8-for-17 in shorthanded situations away from the BI-LO Center and has been out-scored 14-5 in its three road games.
Greenville’s goaltending stable will be full again tonight with the return of goalie Dov Grumet-Morris. Grumet-Morris was loaned last Saturday to the Portland Pirates after winning his third game of the season in a 6-2 win over Wheeling on Friday. Grumet-Morris did not see any game action with the Pirates during his second call up to the AHL this season. He began the campaign with the Hartford Wolf Pack and played 91 minutes, including one start, and earned 1.32 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage.
The Road Warriors’ offensive prowess had been a big reason behind the team’s early success this season. Greenville will try to keep the goal production up in Wheeling tonight. Against the Nailers the Road Warriors are averaging five goals per game which is their best average against any opponent. Greenville averages 3.6 goals per game this season which is the third best average in the ECHL. Greenville’s production against the Nailers is impressive considering the Nailers are tied with the Road Warriors for the seventh best team goals-against average in the league at 2.9. Marc-Olivier Vallerand has three goals in two games against the Nailers while Justin Bowers and Jimmy Kilpatrick each have four points (1G, 3A) against Wheeling.
The Road Warriors return to home ice on Thursday, December 2 to take on the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:05 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. It will be another Dollar Drink Thursday with select fountain drinks and draught beers on sale for just $1! There are great group seats available for the game. Groups of 10 or more can save on the box office price, receive preferred seating based on availability, and much more by booking their group in advance. To contact a Road Warriors group sales representative call 864-674-PUCK.
