GREENVILLE, SC – The Palmetto State Rivalry rages on tonight at the BI-LO Center when the Road Warriors square off against the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:05. It is the third of four games this week between the in-state rivals.
RECAPPING THE ACTION:
2/18/11 – GRW 3 – S.C. 1
The Road Warriors overcame a sluggish start to the game and on the back of some strong goaltending were able to snap a five-game losing streak at the hands of the Stingrays. Despite being out-shot 17-4 in the first, Greenville took a 1-0 lead into the intermission. Andrew Carroll’s deflection of a point shot from Wes Cunningham beat Jared DeMichiel 10:42 into the game while the Road Warriors were on the power play. 17 saves by Nic Riopel made the lead stand up and in the second Shane Harper scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal early in the second. Trevor Glass’ point shot created a rebound and Harper was positioned just off of the right post and was able to jam it in for his 11th goal of the season. South Carolina‘s Derek Keller made things interesting with a power play goal at 8:15 of the second. It was Keller’s second power play goal in as many games against the Road Warriors and had the Stingrays within one heading to the third. But some stifling defense by the Road Warriors and an insurance goal by Jimmy Kilpatrick helped close the door. Riopel turned away all five shots he faced in the third and earned his 14th win of the season.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:
Greenville will welcome newcomer Stefan Legein to the BI-LO Center tonight. A third-year pro from Oakville, Ontario, Legein will be making his ECHL debut. He began this season with the Adirondack Phantoms and produced 13 points (5G, 8A) in 31 games for the Road Warriors’ affiliate. Last season he finished second on the Phantoms with 24 goals in 71 games. For his career the 22-year-old Legein has appeared in 134 AHL games and earned 51 points (32G, 19A) and 76 penalty minutes.
The week of the Palmetto State Rivalry continues tonight with game three of four this week between the Road Warriors and Stingrays. South Carolina won round one on Wednesday night by a 3-2 count in North Charleston while round two went to the Road Warriors last night. The win snapped Greenville’s five-game losing streak at the hands of the Stingrays. The Stingrays have the second fewest road wins in the South Division (12) and have lost four of seven games at the BI-LO Center this season. The last time Greenville played S.C. on back-to-back home dates (Oct. 29 & 30) they swept the games by a 9-3 count.
The South Division is the tightest race in the ECHL right now with only 3 points separating the top three teams. The Road Warriors will try to make some room for themselves atop the division with 9 of their final 19 games against the South. 21 of the Road Warriors’ 31 wins this season have come against South Division foes.
Tonight the Road Warriors are hosting their first-ever Scout Night. Thousands of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from around the Upstate will be in attendance and get special patches for joining the Road Warriors tonight. After the game, scouts will get to watch the movie “Miracle” on the BI-LO Center video board before settling in for a campout on the BI-LO Center concourse. Group tickets are still available for tonight’s game for groups of 10 or more. Interested groups can call 864-674-PUCK to speak to a Road Warriors sales representative.
