GREENVILLE AND FLORIDA PREVIEW 

ESTERO, FL – After dropping the first of a three-game series against the Everblades on Wednesday night, the Road Warriors will look for revenge at Germain Arena tonight.

RECAPPING THE ACTION:

12/8/10 – GRW 2 – FLA 3 SO
Greenville participated in a shootout for the first time this season and came out on the short end of a 3-2 score both in the game and in the shootout. The Road Warriors were able to pick up one standings point for making it to overtime in a game that they never led. Florida‘s Matt Pistilli opened the scoring just over a minute into the second period by deflecting a shot past Dov Grumet-Morris. Florida’s lead was short-lived thanks to Justin Bowers’ ninth goal of the season roughly three and a half minutes after Pistilli’s goal. Florida’s Jared Staal broke the deadlock at 9:21 by pushing a rebound across the goal line. Florida was clining to the lead late in the third period but Mark Voakes blasted a slap shot past Bobby Goepfert to tie the game with 2:29 left to play. The goal set the stage for a wild overtime frame that saw the Road Warriors register two shots on goal on top of some quality chances that did not result in a shot. Florida had two breakaways, and 1:32 worth of power play time, that were all stymied by the Road Warriors’ defense and goaltending. In the shootout Jimmy Kilpatrick and Brendan Connolly scored for the Road Warriors but it wasn’t enough as Florida’s Mitch Fadden, Francis Lemieux, and Pistilli scored on Grumet-Morris.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:

In their first meeting in nearly a month the Road Warriors and Everblades played a game contrary to what the stats would have led you to believe. The top two scoring teams in the ECHL combined for just four goals in regulation before Florida won in a shootout 3-2. It was Greenville’s second overtime/shootout loss against the Blades this season against four victories in regulation. Florida’s win stopped Greenville’s road winning streak at six and overall winning streak at seven while extending its own winning streak to seven games.

Road Warriors winger Jimmy Kilpatrick has been quick to lend a helping hand on offense since joining the team in mid-November. The third year pro is working on a five-game assist streak (10A) and is tied for second on the team with 14 assists. That despite playing eight games less than Brendan Connolly (14A), Justin Bowers (16A), and Mark Voakes (14A). Kilpatrick currently has 79 assists in his ECHL career after earning 65 in his first two seasons with Cincinnati. If he maintains his current pace, Kilpatrick will set a career high with 59 assists.

28-year-old Dov Grumet-Morris has been a fixture in Greenville’s net over the recent weeks. He has started five straight games and eight of the last 11 for the Road Warriors. He has a 7-0-1 record over those eight starts. With help of a pair of shutouts in those starts Grumet-Morris ranks second in the league with a 2.08 GAA, and fourth with a .931 SVP. He ranks 11th in the league with 655 minutes played.

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.