GREENVILLE, SC – In their final game of the week the Greenville Road Warriors will look to put the brakes on a two-game losing streak. Tonight’s contest at The Arena at Gwinnett Center against the Gladiators is the final of a three-in-three series for the Road Warriors against Gwinnett.
RECAPPING THE ACTION:
1/7/11 – GRW 3 – GWT 4
The Road Warriors fell behind by a pair of goals in the first period and despite drawing even in the third period couldn’t complete the comeback. In his first start for Greenville since November 13, Nic Riopel was beaten on a bad-angle shot by Tim Miller at 2:46 of the first as the puck banked off of his back and in. Later, just after the game was 14 minutes old Michael Forney finished off a 2-on-1 with Aaron Bendickson by beating Riopel with a shot to the blocker side. Connor Shields chipped the lead to one with a breakaway goal early in the second period. Before the Road Warriors could draw even Miller roofed a backhander over Riopel’s left shoulder and restored Gwinnett’s two-goal advantage. Greenville was given the perfect opportunity to battle back when Paul Flache picked up a double minor for high-sticking with 10 seconds remaining in the second period. Just over two minutes into the third Chris Chappell sailed a shot past Chris Carrozzi and brought the Road Warriors back within one. Then it was Shields, who beat Flache with a great one-on-one move and beat Carrozzi with a backhander 1:31 after Chappell’s goal to tie the game at three. But with 13:52 gone by Forney finished off a 3-on-2 by pushing a pass from Miller past Riopel for the game winner.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT
Tonight the Battle for I-85 resumes between the Road Warriors and the Gwinnett Gladiators. Greenville has won four of the last six meetings between the clubs but last night’s 4-3 loss in Gwinnett sent the Road Warriors to back-to-back losses for the first time in two months. Gwinnett’s win was also its second in the last 13 tries against South Divi-sion opponents. Greenville, meanwhile, has more wins against the division (16) than any other team in the ECHL. Last night snapped Greenville’s two-game win streak in Gwinnett and dropped the Road Warriors to 2-3-0 in The Arena at Gwinnett Center.
Rookie defenseman Blake Parlett has made a fine jump to the pros after finishing his OHL career with Mississauga last season. The 21-year-old is the top scoring first-year defense-man (sixth overall in the league) with 19 points (5G, 14A) through 29 games. Among all rook-ies he is third with 12 power play points, and first with 9 power play assists. He had his best night as a pro on Jan. 2 against Wheeling with a goal and two assists.
Despite changes in the roster and some incon-sistent scoring, one thing has remained constant for the Road Warriors lately; killing pen-alties well. Greenville has not allowed a power play goal in its last eight games and is 35-for-35 going back to Florida’s last two power plays on Dec. 15. Their best effort was an 8-for-8 job on Dec. 19, Greenville’s last win in Gwinnett. Greenville is also tied for the league lead with 8 SHGs.
Please click here for tonight’s media kit.
Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors return to home ice on Thursday, January 13 to take on the Florida Everblades at 7:05 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. Be sure to arrive early because The Piedmont Boys will be playing a pre-game concert beginning at 6:00 p.m. on the BI-LO Center concourse. You’ll want to stick around for another Dollar Drink Thursday with select draught beers and fountain drinks on sale for just $1! If you have a group of 10 or more that wants to attend the game call 864-674-PUCK to speak to a Road Warriors group sales representative. Groups enjoy discounts off of the box office price, preferred seating based on availability, and other great benefits.
