GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Road Warriors have clinched a Kelly Cup Playoff berth and a South Division championship in their inaugural season. But there is still much left to play for in their final game of the regular season tonight at 7:05 p.m. against the Gwinnett Gladiators.
RECAPPING THE ACTION:
4/1/11 – GRW 4 – GWT 1
The Road Warriors turned in a hard-working effort last night and earned a 4-1 win over the Gladiators for their efforts. Early in the first, Sean Berkstresser created Greenville’s first high-quality scoring chance by winning control of the puck on a forecheck. His pass up the left wing connected with Shane Harper who snapped a shot past Garrett Zemlak at 6:13 to prop the Road Warriors up 1-0. Berkstresser then followed with his first shorthanded goal of the season at 11:46 and put the Road Warriors up a pair. It was a strange goal as the puck bounced off of the end boards, hit Zemlak in the shoulder, and bounced into the goal. Nic Riopel turned in 13 saves during the period to ensure Greenville stayed in the lead. In the second Andrew Rowe (6:20) and Grant Farrell (6:40) scored 20 seconds apart and put the game out of reach for Gwinnett. The Gladiators did manage to sneak a shot past Riopel with 16 seconds remaining in the middle frame courtesy of Mike Forney. In the third, Riopel was stout with 14 saves and never allowed for the Gladiators to build any momentum towards a comeback. His 32 saves in the game earned Riopel his 23rd win of the season.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:
Tonight the Road Warriors and Gladiators finish 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 increased its lead (9-7) with last night’s win. Greenville has won its last four games against Gwinnett on the strength of a defense that has allowed just six 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 has come right down to the wire. Greenville stayed ahead of Reading last night with its 4-1 win over Gwinnett. Reading finishes up tonight by hosting the Trenton Devils and can reach 95 points with a win. A Road Warriors win, in regulation or OT, guarantees the #1 seed. Greenville won 2 of 3 against Reading in the regular season. Greenville could also claim a Brabham Cup championship with a win and an Alaska Aces loss in regulation. That would ensure Greenville of home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
Here is how the Road Warriors’ first round playoff opponent will be determined:
Greenville vs. Elmira if:
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Greenville wins and Elmira loses in regulation or overtime
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Greenville loses, Reading loses in regulation, and Elmira loses in regulation or overtime.
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Greenville loses in regulation or overtime, Reading wins, and Elmira wins.
Greenville vs. Cincinnati if:
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Greenville wins and Elmira wins.
– Greenville ranks second in the ECHL (first in the East) with 24 home wins and has won four of its last five at the BI-LO Center.
– Nic Riopel’s four-game winning streak is his second of the season and tied for the second longest by a GRW goalie.
– The Road Warriors had scored a power play goal in four straight games until last night and have a PPG in six of their last seven (8-for-31). They have also out-chanced opponents 31 to 27 on the PP.
– The Road Warriors have the best home team goals-against average in the Eastern Conference (2nd in the league) at 2.49 and have surrendered 10 goals in their last five home games (2.0 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 play their first Kelly Cup home playoff game on Friday, April 8 at 7:35 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. Individual tickets are on sale right now through the BI-LO Center Box Office which is open Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are also group tickets available through the Road Warriors office for groups of 10 or more. Group outings feature discounts off of the box office price and preferred seating based on availability. Please call 864-674-PUCK to speak to a Road Warriors group sales representative.
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