GWINNETT STANDS IN THE WAY AS WARRIORS LOOK TO RUN THEM OVER TO THE PLAYOFFS 

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

The Battle of I-85 between the Greenville Road Warriors and Gwinnett Gladiators has reached its pinnacle with tonight’s game in Greenville kicking off the final two-game series of the season between the clubs.

The Road Warriors (40-22-5, 85 pts.) host Gwinnett (38-18-11, 87 pts.) today for the 16th of 17 meetings between the clubs this season. Fans can follow the action by watching on America One or listening at  Greenvilleroadwarriors.com. Greenville is 7-6-2 this season against the Gladiators which includes a 6-1-0 mark at the BI-LO Center. The Road Warriors have lost their last three games to Gwinnett including a 3-1 setback on March 6 in Greenville which broke the Road Warriors’ nine-game home winning streak against the Gladiators. Despite that loss, Greenville has been a dominant team at home against Gwinnett and has out-scored its rival by a 26-16 margin in their seven prior games. Dating back to last season the Road Warriors are 12-4-0 at home against Gwinnett.

KELLY CUP PLAYOFF CLINCHING SCENARIOS:

Kalamazoo can clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Friday if:

• Kalamazoo wins in regulation/overtime AND Reading loses in regulation

Wheeling can clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Friday if:

• Wheeling wins in regulation/overtime AND Chicago loses AND Reading loses

South Carolina can clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Friday if:

• South Carolina wins in regulation/overtime AND Chicago loses in regulation AND Reading loses in regulation

Florida can clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs on Friday if:

• Florida wins  AND Chicago loses in regulation AND Reading loses in regulation

Fans coming out to the game will enjoy the the perks of the Spinx Family Four-Pack as well as the BI-LO Family Fun Section. The Family Four-Pack features four tickets, hot dogs, fountain drinks, and bags of chips for just $48. For the BI-LO Family Fun Section, if you show your BI-LO BONUSCARD at the Breakaway Honda Ticket Office window starting two hours prior to faceoff you can get up to four complimentary tickets. Quantities are limited.

Who: Greenville Road Warriors vs. Gwinnett Gladiators

What: Home Game #33, Season Game #68
When: 7:35 p.m.
Where: BI-LO Center, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville, SC 29601

NOTEWORTHY:

• Brandon Wong scored the third hat trick in team history and tied the team record for points in a game with four when he put up three goals and an assist last Sunday vs. Cincinnati.
• T.J. Reynolds leads Road Warriors defensemen at +13 and has been even or better in every game in March. He had a season-high +2 for the ninth time last Sunday vs. Cincinnati.
• The Road Warriors have a magic number of six to clinch the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Wheeling’s maximum point total is 90 so the Road Warriors clinch when they hit 91.
• Marc-Olivier Vallerand has 10 points (4G, 6A) in his last 12 games with Greenville including two goals Feb. 14 vs. Gwinnett.
• Greenville has owned Gwinnett in the first period this season and holds a 14-8 scoring advantage. The second has belonged to Gwinnett with a 20-14 margin while the third is dead even at 14-14.

Click here for Game Notes Page 1
Click here for Game Notes Page 2
Click here for Road Warriors player info
Click here for Gladiators player info

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors are back at the BI-LO Center for their next home game on Saturday, March 24 at 7:05 p.m. against the Gwinnett Gladiators. Come out for Pucks and Paws night presented by Cleveland Park Animal Hospitals and Upstate Veterinary Specialists! It’s the Road Warriors annual game where fans can bring their dogs with them to the game, and if you have a small dog under 20 pounds be sure to call 864-250-4765 to register it for the Small Dog Derby. There are discounted tickets and preferred seating based on availability for any group of 10 or more that books in advance. Call 864-674-PUCK (7825) to book your group outing. Visit Greenvilleroadwarriors.com for more information.

Get ready for the Road Warriors’ run to the Kelly Cup! Discounted playoff packages are on sale right now. With the playoff packages you can pay as you go throughout the playoffs and tickets start as low as $8.50 per game. Call 864-674-PUCK (7825) to get your 2012 Kelly Cup Playoffs tickets reserved today!