GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Road Warriors head down I-85 to make their final visit to The Arena at Gwinnett Center to battle the Gwinnett Gladiators at 7:35 tonight. It is the second of a three-in-three set between the teams to conclude the regular season.
RECAPPING THE ACTION:
3/31/11 – GRW 4 – GWT 3 (OT)
Although unusual, the Greenville Road Warriors again employed the strategy of falling behind early before battling back to skate away with a win. It was the fourth consecutive game in which the Road Warriors surrendered the first goal but came back for the victory. Gwinnett managed a two goal advantage thanks to power play strikes from Mike Forney (6:47) and Kyle Kucharski (10:26). Greenville fought back to draw within one goal thanks to Brandon Wong’s 21st goal of the season at 15:42. With Chris Beckford-Tseu and Chris Carrozzi settling in during the second period it looked as though the score would remain the same headed into the third. That was until Greenville burst through for a pair of quick goals against Carrozzi. Andrew Rowe netted a power play marker at 17:56 that tied the game and was followed on by Shane Harper 1:02 later for a 3-2 Road Warriors advantage. In the third, Beckford-Tseu could not track down a deflection by John-Scott Dickson at 9:40 as the Gladiators tied the game and eventually forced overtime. Greenville worked quickly, though, and Harper’s second of the game (19th overall) 49 seconds into the extra session gave Greenville the win. Beckford-Tseu turned in 29 saves for his fourth win with the Road Warriors.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:
Tonight the Road Warriors and Gladiators continue a three-in-three slate that closes out the regular season for both teams. The series will ultimately determine the winner of the Battle of I-85 as Greenville took the lead (8-7) with last night’s OT win. Greenville has won its last three games against Gwinnett on the strength of a defense that has allowed just five goals in those games. Prior to their recent surge against the Gladiators, the Road Warriors had lost four straight games to their nearest rival. Gwinnett has won two of its last 10 games and is eliminated from playoff contention.
With just one point separating the Road Warriors and the Reading Royals, the battle for the top seed in the Eastern Conference is headed right down to the wire. Greenville leapfrogged Reading last night with its 4-3 overtime win over Gwinnett. Reading finishes up with a home-and-home set with Trenton on Friday and Saturday and can max out at 95 points. If the Road Warriors win out they will finish with 96. Greenville won 2 of 3 against Reading in the regular season. The Road Warriors will clinch the top spot in the East tonight with a win and a Reading loss in regulation.
– Greenville ranks second in the ECHL with 20 road wins this season and has won three straight away from the BI-LO Center.
– Each of Greenville’s last four wins have come with the opponent scoring first. Greenville is 13-13-3 overall in those situations.
– The Road Warriors have scored a power play goal in four straight games and five of their last six overall (8-for-30). They have also out-chanced opponents 30 to 24 on the PP.
– The Road Warriors have the second-best team goals-against average away from home at 2.91 and have surrendered 13 goals in their last five road games (2.6 average).
– Jimmy Kilpatrick has scored a combined 13 goals in February (6) and March (7) and eight of those have been power play goals. He has six goals combined in all the other months of the season.
Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors will return to home ice at the BI-LO Center for the final time this regular season to battle the Gwinnett Gladiators on Saturday, April 2, 2011. Come out for Fan Appreciation Night for your opportunity to win one of many great prizes, including a 2011-12 season ticket, that will be given away by the Road Warriors. Group seating is still available for the game with discounts off of the box office price, preferred seating based on availability, and other great benefits. To book a group outing call a Road Warriors representative at 864-674-PUCK today.
