VERSUS 
DULUTH, GA – The Greenville Road Warriors lost their first road game of the season on Friday night to the Gwinnett Gladiators by a score of 6-1. The loss dropped Greenville’s record to 0-3-0 on the season.
The Road Warriors and Gladiators traded a power play goal each in the opening period as neither team could establish control through the first 20 minutes of play. Gwinnett rookie defenseman Corey Fienhage tallied the first goal of the night with a power play score that beat Jerry Kuhn at 6:42 of the first. Gwinnett’s lead was short lived as Brendan Connolly answered back with his first goal of the season at 8:27. Greenville’s second power play goal of the season was set up by Cullen Eddy and Ryan Hayes. Kuhn made 12 saves in the period while his counterpart Marc Cheverie tallied 14.
The Gladiators carried the play early in the second period and, as a result, were able to build a two-goal advantage. Bryan Brutlag took advantage of a deflected shot that left Kuhn out of position and scored his first professional goal at 3:24 to put Gwinnett ahead at 2-1. Just moments later, Nikita Kashirsky dug a puck out of a pile on the right wing boards and hit an open Brad Miller skating through the slot. Miller deked Kuhn and scored his first of the season at 5:08 and Gwinnett took a 3-1 lead. Greenville had a chance to respond when Kashirsky took a cross-checking minor late in the frame. The Road Warriors managed two shots on the advantage but could not beat Cheverie.
Gwinnett did not give Greenville much of a chance to build a comeback in the third period thanks to two quick scores by Tyler Helfrich. The first came at 6:51 after the Gladiators won an offensive zone faceoff. Kuhn made the initial save but the rebound kicked to Helfrich who was left alone off of the right post. He then tacked on his second of the night 18 seconds later. Kashirsky took a shot from the right wing that clanged off the post and before Kuhn could cover up Helfrich rolled it across the goal line. Pat Galivan added a late power play goal to finish the scoring for Gwinnett.
Kuhn sustained his second loss of the season as he turned in 29 saves on the night. Greenville was 1-for-5 on the power play and 1-for-3 on the penalty kill.
Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors take on the Florida Everblades at the BI-LO Center on October 28 at 7:35 p.m. Come out and enjoy the Spinx Friday Family Four Pack which gets you four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips, and four fountain drinks for just $48. 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.
