ESTERO, FL – Tonight the Greenville Road Warriors close out a three game set at Germain Arena against the Florida Everblades. The mini-series is tied at one game apiece after Greenville’s 2-1 win last night.
RECAPPING THE ACTION:
12/10 – GRW 2 – FLA 1
Following their first shootout loss of the season the Greenville Road Warriors turned in a masterful defensive performance to take down the Everblades. Florida did dent the scoreboard first with Mitch Fadden’s 10th of the season midway through the first period. But Dov Grumet-Morris and the Greenville defense gave no leave from there. The most impressive stat came in the third period. With Greenville leading by one the Road Warriors limited Florida to just four shots in the period, including not giving up a single shot on goal on Florida’s one power play opportunity in the frame. Greenville’s offensive damage was inflicted in the second period with goals coming from Marc-Olivier Vallerand (shorthanded) and Brandon Wong. Chris McKelvie assisted on Wong’s goal for his first point as a Road Warrior and Wong’s goal was his first game winner as a pro. Grumet-Morris made 19 saves in earning his ninth win of the season.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:
Tonight is the rubber match of this week’s three-game series between the Road Warriors and Everblades. Florida held serve in game one on Wednesday with a 3-2 shootout win, and Greenville bounced back to win 2-1 last night. The win was sparked by a Marc-Olivier Vallerand shorthanded goal which was his third of the season and third for the Road Warriors against the Everblades. Despite giving up a season-high seven goals to Florida on Oct. 22, the Road Warriors have held Florida to 2.71 goals per game.
28-year-old Dov Grumet-Morris has been a fixture in Greenville’s net over the recent weeks. He has started six straight games and nine of the last 12 for the Road Warriors. He has an 8-0-1 record over those nine starts. With help of a pair of shutouts in those starts Grumet-Morris ranks second in the league with a 1.99 GAA, and fourth with a .932 SVP. He ranks 11th in the league with 725 minutes played.
– Greenville has the longest home (8), road (6), and overall (7) winning streaks in the ECHL this season.
– Greenville is 0-3-1 when going into the third period trailing its opponent.
– Florida has given up the most second period goals (30) in the league while the Road Warriors have score the most second period goals (42).
– In giving up the first goal on Wed. and Fri. it was the second time this season Greenville was scored on first in back-to-back games.
– Greenville has a team goals-against average of 1.8 in its last ten games.
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.
