VERSUS 
CINCINNATI, OH – The Greenville Road Warriors were 26 seconds away from winning Dean Stork’s first game as a head coach against his former team, but Cincinnati tied it late in regulation and won 4-3 in overtime on Friday night. Greenville picked up a point for making it to overtime, but saw its record slip to 33-20-3 on the season.
Stork sent out a line of former Cyclones to begin the game and Mark Voakes, Jimmy Kilpatrick, and Chris Clackson brought a ton of energy to the ice. Clackson lost his helmet in an early collision but went on to throw a couple big checks sans protection. The energy from that first shift helped the Road Warriors post the first two shots of the game, but neither could beat goalie Brian Foster. The Road Warriors looked to have things swing in their favor when Scott Lehman took a tripping minor 2:26 in, but a slashing minor to Kilpatrick 11 seconds later nullified that power play chance. Greenville had one other opportunity on the man-advantage with Dan Eves’ interference minor at 10:30, but could not cash in. Cam Talbot made sure Cincinnati couldn’t grab a lead, though, by turning in 11 saves in the frame for the Road Warriors.
Neither team backed off the gas pedal in the second period and provided more entertaining hockey. Greenville was given a power play opportunity 5:50 into the frame on a tripping minor to Mathieu Aubin, but like their first power play in the opening period the Road Warriors lost the power play prematurely. Brendan Connolly’s roughing minor at 6:37 left the teams at four skaters a side. The extra open ice didn’t provide any offense, but shortly after Connolly’s penalty expired Aubin gave the Cyclones the 1-0 advantage. Casey Pierro-Zabotel‘s shot from high on the left wing was tipped in by Aubin who was camped out on the edge of the crease. Greenville didn’t let Cincinnati enjoy the lead long as Wes Cunningham‘s fifth of the season tied the game at 12:31. The goal was set up by Sam Klassen and Clackson. Cincinnati nearly went back on the lead a few moments later, but a potential breakaway to Paul McIlveen was nullified by a delayed offsides call.
The third period provided more playoff-style hockey as both clubs jockeyed for control. Cincinnati grabbed the lead back at 2-1 on Kevin Roeder’s third goal of the season 1:19 into the frame. Roeder was open just off of the far post to the right of Talbot and batted a one-timer across the line. Greenville was struggling to produce much offense and was held to two shots until just under four minutes left in the game. But better late than never, the Road Warriors potted a pair of quick goals to take their first lead of the night. Shane Harper slipped in a wraparound at 16:10 for his 14th of the season and was followed by Brandon Wong’s 19th just 46 seconds later. Greenville was in prime position to pick up the victory, but with 26 seconds left and Foster pulled for the extra attacker, Cincinnati’s Dustin Sproat tipped a shot by Barrett Ehgoetz past Talbot for the tying score. In overtime Cunningham was whistled for interference with 3:25 left and T.J. Fast scored the game winner with a shot from the slot. The goal was Fast’s eighth of the season.
Talbot finished the game with 33 saves while the Road Warriors were 0-for-4 on the penalty kill and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors will return home to the BI-LO Center to battle the Trenton Devils on Friday, March 4 at 7:05 p.m. In conjunction with SHINE 96.7, the Road Warriors will be presenting “Church Night 2011” with a live, post-game performance from recording artists MyCalvary. Tickets for church groups start as low as $7. The SPINX Friday Family Four-Pack is also available for that game through the BI-LO Center Box Office and gets you four tickets, four hot dogs, four pretzels, four bags of chips, four fountain drinks for $48! For more information on these promotions and more contact a Road Warriors sales representative at 864-674-PUCK.
