ROAD WARRIORS SMOKE GLADIATORS 

VERSUS

Greenville, SC – The Road Warriors used a four-goal burst in the second period to route the Gladiators in the final regular season game this season. The Road Warriors had 12 different players register points in the 7-2 victory that clinched the Eastern Conference title in their inaugural season. Greenville ended the regular season with a record of 46-22-4 and 96 points overall.

Gwinnett received an early power play opportunity a little over a minute into the first after Greenville’s Sean Berkstresser was whistled for a minor penalty. The Road Warriors penalty kill unit shut down the Gladiators offense and allowed only two shots on goal. Greenville received a power play opportunity after Gwinnett’s Matt Duffy was called for interference. Shane Harper beat Glads’ goaltender Chris Carrozzi for his 21^st goal of the season with only 10 seconds left on the power play. Left alone with the puck in front of the net, Harper faked right, Carrozzi bit hard and blocked glove side as Harper wrapped the puck around his stick into the top left corner of the net. Brendan Connolly and Lee Baldwin picked up assist on the power play goal. The Road Warriors received a golden opportunity near the end of the period with a short 5-on-3 power play, but were unable to capitalize. Greenville was outshot by Gwinnett 9-8 and went 1-for-4 on the power play.

Greenville extended the lead to two early in the second on Andrew Rowe‘s sixth goal of the season at 3:45. Jimmy Kilpatrick set up the goal as he drew the Glad’s defense in on a push toward the net and sent the puck to Rowe at the top of the point. Rowe settled the puck on his stick and snapped it past Carrozzi. Kilpatrick and Grant Farrell picked up assists on the goal. After a scrum along the boards in the Glads’ zone, Harper took the loose puck and charged toward the net, deked to the right and sent a backhander low past Carrozzi’s stick and into the back of the net. Greenville slammed the foot down on the pedal and Brendan Connolly banged home his 22^nd goal of the season on a loose puck after Wes Cunningham‘s initial shot attempt. Cunningham and Berkstresser received assists on the goal. Greenville scored their fourth goal of the period on Bowers quick snap shot at 16:20. Bowers pushed toward the net unchecked and fired a shot off between two Gladiator defenders that rattled the post and into the net past Carrozzi’s glove side. Cunningham and T.J. Reynolds notched assists on the goal and Gwinnett pulled Carozzi for the backup, Garrett Zemlak. Gwinnett’s Tim Filangieri broke Greenville’s goalie NicRiopel shutout bid for his second goal of the season. Greenville outshot Gwinnett 14-12 in the second.

The Road Warriors shut down the Gladiators for the first half of the third period behind some stellar net play by Riopel. The Gladiators were the beneficiary of a 5-on-3 power play, but managed only four shots on goal, each one turned away by the Road Warriors goalie. Gwinnett began the comeback effort on Filangieri’s second goal of the night that brought the Glads’ to within three. Gwinnett’s comeback effort stalled as the Road Warriors defense tightened up and shut down any opportunity to score for the remainder of the period. Greenville added a couple of late goals with under a minute left by Chris Chappell and T.J. Reynolds. The team Captain’s goal was his first of the season and was set up by a perfect pass by Chappell. Gwinnett outshot Greenville 12-8 and the Road Warriors were 1-for-1 on the power play.

Nic Riopel stopped 31 of 33 shots for his 24^th win of the season. Gwinnett outshot Greenville 33-30 for the game. Greenville was 2-for-5 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 Game 3 of the first round of the ECHL playoffs to battle the Elmira Jackals in a best of five series at 7:35 p.m. Playoff tickets will remain at the same price as they were for the regular season with tickets available for $9, $13, or $17 with discounts of $2 available for children, senior citizens, and military personnel and veterans. There will be a $2 day-of-game charge for playoff tickets so fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance. In addition, ticket packages for the entire Kelly Cup playoffs are available. Group seating remains available for the game and to book your outing call a Road Warriors representative at 864-674-PUCK.