BLADES SHOOTOUT ROAD WARRIORS 

VERSUS

ESTERO, FL – The Greenville Road Warriors had their seven-game win streak halted by the Florida Everblades on Wednesday night. Florida picked up a 3-2 win via a shootout, the first one the Road Warriors participated in this season. The loss dropped Greenville’s record to 16-5-2.

The opening frame was similar to a couple of heavyweight fighters feeling one another out during the first round of a big fight. There were good scoring opportunities at both ends but neither the Road Warriors nor the Everblades took many risky chances during the period. Greenville did better on special teams in terms of earning more power play opportunities, but that was the only advantage that was gleaned. Bobby Goepfert made 12 saves to keep Florida even with the Road Warriors. Dov Grumet-Morris matched Goepfert’s effort with eight saves of his own.

In the second, the Everblades used a Road Warriors’ turnover to grab a 1-0 lead quickly. Matt Pistilli, perched off of the post to Grumet-Morris’ right deflected a pass from Mike McKenzie for his 14th of the season at the 1:05 mark. Not wanting any distance to build between them and the ‘Blades, the Road Warriors responded just a few minutes later. Off of a Florida turnover at center Mark Voakes found Justin Bowers streaking down the far wing. Bowers snapped a shot past Goepfert on the blocker side for his ninth goal of the season at 4:24. The Everblades caught a break when a squibbed shot by Mathieu Roy found its way between Grumet-Morris’ pads. Jared Staal found the puck before the Road Warriors’ netminder could cover and netted his third of the season at 9:21 to give Florida the one-goal lead back.

In the third period Florida went into shutdown mode and limited Greenville’s offensive opportunities. The home team nearly did enough to preserve the 2-1 lead, but Mark Voakes provided some late heroics for Greenville. A turnover at center came back to hurt the Everblades again as Jimmy Kilpatrick hit Voakes in open ice on the left wing. The center blasted a slap shot past Goepfert on the glove side to tie the game with just 2:29 remaining. The goal sent the game into overtime and earned the Road Warriors a standings point.

Overtime was a wild affair with Greenville having multiple scoring opportunities but unable to find a way to feed one past Goepfert. Florida had two breakaways but Grumet-Morris came through with huge saves. Trevor Glass was whistled for holding at 3:28 of overtime leaving the ‘Blades with a power play for the remainder of the extra time. Greenville was able to kill off the power play and make it to a shootout for the first time this season. Kilpatrick and Brendan Connolly scored for the Road Warriors in the breakaway contest, but Florida was one better with goals from Mitch Fadden, Francis Lemieux, and Pistilli.

Grumet-Morris made 21 saves for the Road Warriors in sustaining his first overtime loss of the season. Greenville went 0-for-4 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors are back on home ice for three games next week on December 14, 15, and 17 all at 7:05 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. There are great holiday events scheduled each night with the Twofer Tuesday on the 14th, a gift drive for military serving overseas on the 15th, and the Road Warriors’ inaugural Teddy Bear Toss on the 17th. There is great group seating still available to each game for your group of 10 or more. Groups enjoy discounts off the box office price, preferred seating based on availability, and other great benefits. Call the Road Warriors at 864-674-PUCK to speak to a group sales representative today.

ALSO…Don’t forget to cast your vote on our poll regarding having a live chat.)