GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Road Warriors open their second season in the ECHL at home against the same team that ended their first season in the league. The 2011-12 home opener is tonight against the Wheeling Nailers.
At the BI-LO Center tonight the Road Warriors will raise the banner celebrating their 2010-11 South Division Championship prior to the start of the game against Wheeling. Once the banner is raised, the page turns to the start of the 2011-12 season – Greenville’s second in the ECHL. This season’s team features nine returning players from the 2010-11 squad that finished with the second best record in the league and the best record in the Eastern Conference. Among the returnees are five of the top seven scorers: Marc-Olivier Vallerand, Justin Bowers, Brendan Connolly, Connor Shields, and Brandon Wong. Six rookies are among the 11 new faces that will don the blue and white for the first time this season.
Who: Greenville Road Warriors vs. Wheeling Nailers
What: Home Game #1, Season Game #1
When: 7:35 p.m.
Where: The BI-LO Center, 650 N. Academy St. Greenville, SC 29601.
NOTEWORTHY:
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The Road Warriors led the Eastern Conference in 2010-11 with a 25-10-1 record on home ice. They were 10-2-0 against non-South Division teams at home, as well.
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In 2010-11 the Road Warriors became the second first-year team to ever win its conference in the regular season (San Diego, 03-04).
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Wheeling assistant coach Clark Donatelli was the captain of the 1992 US Olympic team that finished fourth in Albertville, France.
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Brett Robinson is the 7th former Cincinnati Cyclone to play in Greenville under Dean Stork. The others are Mark Voakes, Jimmy Kilpatrick, Chris Morehouse, Dov Grumet-Morris, Chris Clackson, and Cullen Eddy.
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Wheeling needs five wins to become the first ECHL team to reach 800.
Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors take on the Reading Royals at the BI-LO Center on October 15 at 7:05 p.m. Be one of the first 2,500 fans through the door to receive a complimentary magnetic schedule courtesy of Mountain Dew. Great group seats are still available for the game. Groups of 10 or more get preferred seating and discounts off of the box office price. Fans can call 864-674-PUCK (7825) to speak to a Road Warriors ticket representative and book their group outing.
