SHUT OUT BY GLADIATORS

VERSUS     

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

Despite their best efforts, the Greenville Road Warriors could not score on Friday night in Gwinnett and fell 3-0 to the Gladiators. The loss dropped Greenville to 26-17-2 on the season.

Click here for tonight’s box score.

The Road Warriors were unable to get the start they wanted against the Gladiators and found themselves down by one just over a minute into the game. Road Warriors goalie Jason Missiaen tried to foil Gwinnett’s attack as he made a left pad save on Nikita Kashirsky in tight. But Kashirsky dug out his own rebound and found Justin Milo open in front and Milo quickly shuffled the puck into the net. Greenville got the offense in gear from there and tested Gwinnett’s Jeff Jakaitis with nine shots, including two on the only power play of the period. Jakaitis answered each test in the frame and kept the Road Warriors scoreless heading into the second.

Greenville continued to generate most of the offensive pressure in the second period, but it was Gwinnett’s power play coming through with the lone score of the stanza. With 6:40 left in the second, Dallas Jackson’s point shot eluded Missiaen and double the Gladiators’ lead. The Road Warriors furiously tried to rally and out-shot Gwinnett 13-8 in the second. The best chance came in the final minute when Marc-Olivier Vallerand hit Jeremy Gouchie with a stretch pass for a breakaway. Gouchie tried Jakaitis’ five hole but had the door closed by a stick save.

It was same song, third verse for the Road Warriors in the third as they out-shot Gwinnett but could not force one past Jakaitis. The Gladiators’ goaltender posted 11 saves in the final frame to keep Greenville off of the scoreboard and earn his league-leading fifth shutout of the season. The only goal in the period came courtesy of Milo who had a centering pass deflect off of T.J. Reynolds’ stick past Missiaen. The power play goal came at 5:33 of the third and set the final score.

Missiaen sustained the loss while making 18 saves in the contest. Greenville ended the night 0-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-6 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors return home on Thursday, February 9, 2012 to take on the Kalamazoo Wings. Join us for a Throwback Thursday presented by WSSL 100.5, The Greenville News and New Rock 93.3. Throwback Thursday features Bud Light drafts, fountain drinks, hot dogs, and pretzels for just $2, and college students can get in for just $6 with a valid ID. Your group of 10 or more can also get a discount off the box office price and preferred seating based on availability by booking in advance. Call 864-674-PUCK to book your group outing with the Road Warriors.Also, please note that the Road Warriors game scheduled for March 1 has been moved to Saturday, March 3 at 7:05 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. Visit Greenvilleroadwarriors.com for more information.