VERSUS 
DULUTH, GA – The Greenville Road Warriors powered their way past the Gwinnett Gladiators on Friday night and won their final road game of the season by a 4-1 score. The win gave Greenville 94 points on the season and allowed the Road Warriors to stay one point ahead of the Reading Royals for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
In the first period the Road Warriors were finally able to break their four-game streak of surrendering the first goal of the game. A hard-working forecheck by Sean Berkstresser caused the Gladiators to get scrambled in their defensive end and created a turnover that led to a good scoring chance for Shane Harper from the left wing. Harper snapped it to the back of the net for his 20th goal of the season at 6:13 to put the Road Warriors ahead by one. Gwinnett was given a solid chance to tie the game when Chris Chappell was whistled for holding at 11:33, but an unlikely goal gave Greenville a two-goal advantage. Working on the left wing side through center, Sean Berkstresser snapped a shot toward the goal that hit a defenders’ stick, bounced off of the end glass, hit Garrett Zemlak in the back and crossed the goal line. It was Berkstresser’s eighth goal of the season with assists from Brendan Connolly and Wes Cunningham at 11:46.
In the second, the Road Warriors used a pair of quick-strike goals to build their lead up to four goals. Andrew Rowe netted his second goal in as many contests by tipping in a point shot by Sam Klassen. The play was made possible thanks to some hard work by Chris Clackson on the forecheck, and after winning a puck battle he was able to feed the puck to Klassen at the point. Just 20 seconds after Rowe’s goal, Grant Farrell scored on a wrist shot that hit Zemlak’s shoulder and danced across the line. The goal was Farrell’s first of the season, came unassisted, and was registered at at 6:40 of the second. Chris Carrozzi replaced Zemlak for the remainder of the game after Farrell’s goal. The Road Warriors nearly held of Gwinnett for the remainder of the period, but Michael Forney jabbed a shot past Nic Riopel with 16 seconds left in the frame to put the Gladiators on the board with the score 4-1 heading into the third.
Riopel saved his best for the third period as Gwinnett ratcheted up the comeback effort. Fourteen shots made their way on to Greenville’s rookie netminder, but he was up to task each time to make the Road Warriors’ lead hold up. Gwinnett brought heavy pressure in the final 1:29 with T.J. Reynolds serving a slashing minor. That pressure didn’t amount to any goals, though, and Riopel gave a triumphant pump of the fists after the final horn sounded the Road Warriors’ 45th win of the season.
Riopel picked up his 23rd win of the season with 32 saves. Greenville went 0-for-1 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
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.
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