GREENVILLE, SC – Tonight the Greenville Road Warriors embark on their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Wheeling Nailers. Game One of the best-of-seven series faces off at 7:35 p.m. at the BI-LO Center.
RECAPPING THE ACTION:
EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS – GRW 3 – ELM 1
The Road Warriors struck the first blow in the best-of-five series with a 5-2 win in Elmira on April 5. A 3-for-4 effort on the power play, goals from five different players, and 30 saves from Nic Riopel was the recipe for the win. The next night Elmira came back for a 6-3 victory to even the series. Greenville clawed within 4-3 with 1:35 to play on Mark Voakes’ goal with Riopel pulled for the extra attacker. But Elmira tacked on two empty net goals to salt away the win. Greenville bounced back with consecutive wins at the BI-LO Center on April 8 and 9 to win the series. Chris Beckford-Tseu, Chris McKelvie, and Sean Berkstresser were the major players for Greenville in the win. Beckford-Tseu made 18 saves in the 2-0 win on the eighth while Berkstresser set up McKelvie for the game winning goal midway through the first period. The next night’s game went to double overtime and 26 saves by Beckford-Tseu ensured that McKelvie could set up Berkstresser’s winning score with just over six minutes played in the second extra session.
EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS – WHL 3 – S.C. 1
The Nailers were able to steal Game One and Game Two in overtime at the North Charleston Coliseum to grab a 2-0 series lead before the scene shifted back to WesBanco Arena in Wheeling. In Game One on April 5 Andrew Orpik broke a 3-3 deadlock with a shot from over 100 feet away from the South Carolina net that two-hopped its way past Todd Ford. In Game Two the next night Kyle Bushee hammered home a shot from the left point just over seven minutes into the extra session and gave Wheeling a 2-1 victory. Wheeling’s Paul Crowder gave the Nailers a 1-0 lead in Game Three on April 8, but South Carolina stormed back with three straight goals and hung on for a 4-2 victory to send the series on. Wheeling closed it out the next night by squeaking out a 3-2 win thanks to a 2-for-3 effort on the man advantage. Peter Delmas played all four games in goal for the Nailers and leads playoff goalies with three victories.
WHAT’S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:
The Greenville Road Warriors and Wheeling Nailers meet tonight in Game One of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. Greenville arrived here thanks to a 3-1 series win over Elmira while Wheeling eliminated South Carolina three games to one, as well. Wheeling carries a 2-0-0 road playoff record into this game while the Road Warriors have won each of their first two home games in the Kelly Cup playoffs. Greenville was 6-0-0 in the regular season against Wheeling and sported a 26-11 goal advantage. Eight current Nailers, though, didn’t play in the regular season series.
Rookie defenseman Sam Klassen as made a strong first impression in his pro playoff debut. His current three-game point streak is the second longest of his career (4A from 2/22 – 2/28/11) and he is one off of his goal total from the entire regular season. He currently leads league defensemen in goals scored, is second in points, and is fourth with a +4 rating.
– This is the third time these organizations have met in the playoffs: 1989 Riley Cup Finals – Winston Salem 4, Johnstown 3 & 1993 Riley Cup Quarterfinals – Wheeling 3, Johnstown 1.
– In the 2010 Kelly Cup Playoffs three of the four second round series were over in five games or fewer with three upsets.
– Greenville’s offense featured five different players that registered at least 50 points in the regular season. The only team with more was Kalamazoo (6).
– Jimmy Kilpatrick led Greenville against Wheeling in the regular season with 11 points (2G, 9A) in six games. Seven different Road Warriors played all six games in the season series.
– The Road Warriors are 9-2-0 in their last 11 home games dating back to March 4, 2011. They have out-scored opponents 42-24 over that stretch and recorded two shutouts.
Before the puck drops at 7:35 tonight don’t miss out on the pre-game block party! Starting at 5:00 p.m. there will be free food, half-priced beer, and live music from Lionz of Zion at the plaza at the Charter Business entrance. Fans will also have a chance to take some whacks at the Wheeling smashup car during the block party. Two dollars get you three swings and $5 get you 10 swings and half of the proceeds will be donated to Special Olympics Greenville. Individual and group tickets remain available for tonight. Visit the BI-LO Center Box Office, or any Ticketmaster outlet, for individual tickets or call 864-674-PUCK to book an outing for your group of 10 or more. Groups get discounted tickets and preferred seating based on availability.
