STRING RAYS STUNG 

      VERSUS     

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

GREENVILLE, SC – Greenville goalie Jason Missiaen blanked South Carolina for the second straight game at home as the Road Warriors picked up a 2-0 win on Tuesday night. The victory improved the Road Warriors to 16-9-0 on the season.

Click here for tonight’s box score.

The Road Warriors had the benefit of three power play opportunities in the first period, but against the ECHL’s second rated penalty kill they found some tough sledding. Greenville did manage to out-shoot South Carolina nine to six in the frame, but Daren Machesney and Jason Missiaen turned away all comers. Brendan Connolly and Connor Shields generated a solid shorthanded chance within the final minute of the period, but Machesney made a blocker save on Connolly’s wrist shot.

In the second period the Road Warriors got into some penalty trouble, but the goaltending of Missiaen helped them get out of the woods. The Stingrays had a five to none advantage in power play chances in the second, but 19 saves by Missiaen prevented them from taking the lead. Of those penalties killed, the most impressive was a full two minute 5-on-3 advantage for the Stingrays in the final minutes of the period. The Road Warriors did have some scoring chances of their own, but Machesney fended off breakaways by Kale Kerbashian and Brett Robinson.

Greenville finally broke through against Machesney 6:24 of the third period with Connolly’s team-leading 18th goal of the season. Off of a faceoff win by Shields, Sean Berkstresser fed Connolly in the high slot and ripped a wrist shot top shelf for the goal. Brandon Wong provided a measure of insurance at 17:23 as he beat his defenseman in the left wing corner, carried to the net front, and lifted a shot top shelf as well. Missiaen made sure Connolly’s goal stood as the winner as he turned in 13 saves to keep the Stingrays at bay.

Missiaen’s 38 saves in the game were good for his fifth win of the season. The Road Warriors were 0-for-3 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors return home to face the Florida Everblades on Thursday, December 29 at 7:35 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. Come out for a Throwback Thursday which features $2 draft beers, fountain drinks, hot dogs, and pretzels. Throwback Thursdays are sponsored by WSSL 100.5, The Greenville News, and New Rock 93.3. You can also save on your tickets by bringing out a group of 10 or more! The Road Warriors offer discounts off the box office price and preferred seating based on availability to groups who book in advance. Call 864-674-PUCK (7825) for more info or to book your group.