GREENVILLE, SC – First place in the South Division is on the line when the Greenville Road Warriors meet the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:05 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. Greenville is looking for a measure of revenge after falling to Gwinnett 2-1 on November 21.
RECAPPING THE ACTION:
11/28/10 – GRW 2 – WHL 0
The Road Warriors closed out their four-game northern road trip in resounding fashion with their second shutout of the season. The win gave Greenville its fourth win in a row and seventh in its last eight games. The Road Warriors grabbed a quick lead in the first period with Mark Voakes scoring his seventh of the season 2:09 into the game. It would turn out to be the game winner as Dov Grumet-Morris stymied all attackers with 33 saves. It was Grumet-Morris’ first shutout of the season and fourth consecutive win overall. Brendan Connolly added a shorthanded goal with 10:19 remaining in the game. The goal was Connolly’s second shorty of the season and extended his point streak to 11 games.
11/27/10 – GWT 5 – TOL 2
Like Greenville, Gwinnett continued its mastery of the North Division with a win over Toledo last Saturday. The Gladiators are 2-0-2 against teams from the north. Dan Kissel lead the charge for the Gladiators with four points (2G, 2A) and David Phillips added three assists in the win. Billy Sauer turned in 36 saves in picking up the victory. The win improved the Gladiators to 4-0-1 in their last five games and allowed them to remain one point ahead of the Road Warriors in the standings. Gwinnett never trailed in the game after grabbing a 1-0 lead 4:33 into the contest. After Toledo tied 14:14 into the second Gwinnett ripped off four straight goals to pace the win.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:
Tonight will be the ECHL’s own version of the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object. The match up tonight between Gwinnett and Greenville is a classic confrontation of two opposites. Greenville’s offense is the most potent in the league at 3.89 goals per game and is one of the most balanced in the league. The Road Warriors are tied with Florida at four active players who average at least a point per game. Gwinnett’s defense can be like a brick wall, though. The Gladiators give up just 2.40 goals per game, 2nd in the league, while Billy Sauer (2.11) and Chris Carrozzi (2.19) rank second and third, respectively, in GAA.
The Greenville Road Warriors have a .500 record or better against every opponent they have faced this season except one; the Gwinnett Gladiators. Greenville began the season series with a 3-1 win on November 5 but has dropped three straight to Gwinnett since then. The Gladiators’ power play has been a thorn in the Road Warriors’ side and has operated at 23 % (6-for-26) against Greenville. The Road Warriors’ potent offense has not scored more than three goals in a game against Gwinnett this season.
Special teams are an integral part of a successful pro hockey team nowadays. The Road Warriors have won five of their last six home games and a major reason for that is a successful penalty kill. Greenville is 32-for-34 on the PK at home since Nov. 11 (94%) and is 89 percent successful at home for the season. Greenville has also scored three shorthanded goals in its last six home games.
Please click here for Game Notes Page 1.
Please click here for Game Notes Page 2.
Please click here for Road Warriors player info.
Please click here for Gladiators player info.
Tonight is another Dollar Drink Thursday at the BI-LO Center. Join the Road Warriors for select fountain drinks and draught beers on sale for just $1! There are great group seats still available for the game as well. If you have a group of 10 or more you can save on the box office price, receive preferred seating based on availability, and much more. Contact a Road Warriors group sales representative by calling 864-674-PUCK to book your group outing.
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