BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits ended a midwest road trip and immediately transitioned into a trip to the Sunshine State for a trio of games. The trip started in Orlando, where Greenville met a tired and beleaguered Solar Bears club and made them pay on Wednesday night.

The Swamp Rabbits jumped all over Orlando with a “four spot” in the opening period with goals from Nathan Perkovich, newcomer Joe Masonius, Liam Pecararo, and Matt Marcinew. While at the end of the day, the Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears both posted 34 shots, the Swamp Rabbits shot 20.5% on the night with seven goals overall.

Orlando gave Greenville a slight scare with two goals in short order in the middle frame, but Greenville immediately responded with a goal after that from Michael Pelech, and Marcinew tacked on one more in the third period to put the lopsided win away.

Saturday night saw the Swamp Rabbits return to Hertz Arena, the so-called “house of horrors,” and unfortunately, it remained the house of horrors. Greenville scored the opening tally thanks to Brien Diffley and held Florida to just six shots on goal.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. The ‘Blades scored four unanswered goals and outshot the Swamp Rabbits 24-14 the rest of the way. Cody Sol’s power play goal midway through the second period was the go-ahead goal—a lead of which Florida would not relinquish.

Sunday was a quick turnaround for Greenville. An overnight trip from Fort Myers to Jacksonville meant an early wake-up call, and a quick 3:00 puck drop against the Icemen, who remains in the South Division playoff hunt.

Greenville and Jacksonville played a playoff-style, defensive struggle. Dylan MacPherson opened the scoring for the Swamp Rabbits and held that lead for quite a while. Jacksonville tied the game late in the second period, and thanks to a last-second save from Jake Kupsky, forced overtime.

In OT, Pelech scored the game-winning goal at the 4:15 mark to give the Swamp Rabbits four out of a possible six points on the trip.

3/5 at Orlando Solar Bears – W 7-2
3/7 at Florida Everblades – L 4-1
3/8 at Jacksonville Icemen – W 2-1

UPCOMING GAMES
Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Florida Everblades
* THIRSTY THURSDAY — $3 BEER *
Thursday, March 12 – 7:05 p.m.
Tickets — Listen — Watch

Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Atlanta Gladiators
* STICK IT TO CANCER NIGHT, PRESENTED BY BON SECOURS INCLUDING JERSEY AUCTION *
Friday, March 13 – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets — Listen — Watch

Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Atlanta Gladiators
* FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT, SPONSORED BY ROTARY CLUB OF THE REEDY RIVER + POSTER GIVEAWAY AND FREE POSTGAME SKATE *
Sunday, March 15 – 3:00 p.m.
Tickets — Listen — Watch

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Michael Pelech – 3 GP | 2 G – 3 A – 5 P
A game-winning goal capped off a strong week for the Swamp Rabbits’ captain. Pelech got the GWG on Sunday and dominated Wednesday’s game against the Orlando Solar Bears with a goal and two assists. He led all Swamp Rabbits scorers with five points in three games.

RABBIT TAILS

• With two goals on Sunday, the Swamp Rabbits crossed the century mark in goals on the road. They are one of ten teams that have scored 100 or more goals on the road in the ECHL.
• Michael Pelech‘s rise up the Greenville leaderboards continues. He is one assist away from tying Brandon Wong for the sixth-most assists in team history. He ranks 11th in most goals in team history, and seventh in points.
• Liam Pecararo continues to put up points at the ECHL level. Even while playing significantly fewer games than his rookie counterparts, he ranks fourth among rookies in goals (23), and seventh in points (44).
• Greenville got plenty of offense from the blue line this past week, including goals from Dylan MacPherson, who ended an 11-game goal drought, Brien Diffley, who scored his first in a Greenville uniform, and Joe Masonius, who notched a multi-point game in his Swamp Rabbits debut.

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. x South Carolina Stingrays (44-13-4) – 92 pts
2. x Florida Everblades (43-13-6) – 92 pts
3. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-30-5) – 63 pts
4. Atlanta Gladiators (29-28-4) – 62 pts
5. Orlando Solar Bears (26-29-6) – 58 pts
6. Jacksonville Icemen (24-29-7) – 55 pts
7. Norfolk Admirals (13-38-8) – 34 pts

*standings as of 10:00 a.m. on March 9, 2020
x – clinched playoff spot

The post KUHN: SWAMP RABBITS WEEKLY #22 first appeared on Howlings.

Four games ahead as South Division race tightens

BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, SC – This week, a gamut of South Division matchups face the Greenville Swamp Rabbits the rest of the way. Just six of the final 19 games of the regular season are against non-South Division foes (Worcester, Indy, Cincinnati). Essentially, Greenville’s playoff destiny is in its own hands.

Friday night saw the Swamp Rabbits take on the Jacksonville Icemen for the first time since November 27. A revamped Jacksonville club made life difficult for Greenville on the road. The Icemen jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the third period, and at one point, led 3-1 on a controversial goal that stood due to a goaltender interference review.

Kamerin Nault, Cédric Lacroix, and Liam Pecararo all scored for the Swamp Rabbits, all in the third period, to bring the game to a tie, and send the game to a 3-on-3 overtime session. However, an untimely penalty led to a power play in overtime for Jacksonville, and Chase Lang scored at the 1:37 mark of the extra session to give the Icemen the 4-3 win.

A quick turnaround saw the Swamp Rabbits in Charleston to take on the South Division’s top team, the South Carolina Stingrays. The two teams had previously played to a very even season series, and the Swamp Rabbits jumped on them right off the bat.

Cameron Heath and Mason Baptista scored in the first period against the league’s best goaltender, Parker Milner, and the Swamp Rabbits led until the 15:10 mark of the third period. South Carolina tied it, but Lacroix added intrigue with his second goal of the weekend with just a minute and a half to go. However, the Rays broke the Swamp Rabbits’ hearts.

Tom Parisi scored in the final minute, and Eddie Wittchow scored at the 2:19 mark of overtime, and the Swamp Rabbits fell in consecutive overtime games over the weekend, both by 4-3 scores.

2/14 at Jacksonville Icemen – OTL 4-3
2/15 at South Carolina Stingrays – OTL 4-3

UPCOMING GAMES
Greenville Swamp Rabbits at South Carolina Stingrays
Tuesday, February 18 – 7:05 p.m.
Listen — Watch

Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Worcester Railers
-MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT, PRESENTED BY FLUOR GOLF FOR GREENVILLE-
Friday, February 21 – 7:05 p.m.
Tickets — Listen — Watch

Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Worcester Railers
-NICKELODEON NIGHT + PUCKS N PAWS, SPONSORED BY EARTH FM-
Saturday, February 22 – 7:35 p.m.
Tickets — Family 4 Pack — Listen — Watch

Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Atlanta Gladiators
Sunday, February 23 – 2:05 p.m.
Listen — Watch

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cédric Lacroix – 2 GP | 2 G – 1 A – 3 P
Lacroix is riding a three-game point streak and continued his tear with a strong weekend for the Swamp Rabbits. He posted a huge power play goal on Friday night to pull Greenville within one (and eventually helped the team reach overtime), and Lacroix gave Greenville a late lead (and helped them reach overtime again) to pick up two out of a possible four points on the weekend.

RABBIT TAILS

• Greenville’s offense continues to chug along, with a 3.32 goals-per-game mark that ranks tenth in the league.
• Michael Pelech‘s chase for history continues. He remains eighth in all-time Greenville hockey scoring (108 points), just four points behind Sean Berkstresser (112 points). He also ranks seventh in all-time assists (78), just seven behind Brandon Wong (85).
• Two more points for rookie sensation Liam Pecararo kept him among the top rookie scorers in the league (T-6th, 35 points), and has played significantly fewer games than his competitors.

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. South Carolina Stingrays (38-10-4) – 80 pts
2. Florida Everblades (35-12-5) – 75 pts
3. Orlando Solar Bears (24-21-6) – 54 pts
4. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (24-25-4) – 52 pts
5. Atlanta Gladiators (21-28-2) – 44 pts
6. Jacksonville Icemen (18-24-6) – 42 pts
7. Norfolk Admirals (12-33-6) – 30 pts

*standings as of 10:00 a.m. on February 17, 2020

The post KUHN: SWAMP RABBITS WEEKLY #19 first appeared on Howlings.

Road trip continues for Greenville

BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, SC – This week the Hertz Arena has proven to be a house of horrors for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, dating back to the Road Warriors days and years back. This past weekend proved those apparitions were still in attendance, as the Everblades flaunted their muscle, extending their standings point streak to 12 games in the process.

Friday night saw the Swamp Rabbits hold the ‘Blades to a 1-0 score after one period of play, but in the end, Florida scored six unanswered. The vice grip on the game held throughout, as the Swamp Rabbits were able to muster two goals in the closing ten minutes of action from Karl El-Mir and Jake Horton. However, it was too little, too late, as the Everblades’ five-goal second period proved to be too much to handle.

Looking for a bounce-back effort on Saturday night, it was unfortunately, more of the same. The Everblades struck early in the first period, just like the night before, and kept pouring it on. Florida held a 4-0 lead heading into the third period. Nathan Perkovich added a third-period tally to cut into the lead, but Florida responded 90 seconds later to cap the scoring.

2/7 at Florida Everblades – L 6-2
2/8 at Florida Everblades – L 5-1

UPCOMING GAMES
Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Jacksonville Icemen
Friday, February 14 – 7:00 p.m.
Listen — Watch

Greenville Swamp Rabbits at South Carolina Stingrays
Saturday, February 15 – 6:05 p.m.
Listen — Watch

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Friday, February 21 vs Worcester Railers (7:05 p.m.)
Fluor Golf for Greenville presents Military Appreciation Night + Postgame Jersey Auction
BUY TICKETS

Saturday, February 22 vs Worcester Railers (7:35 p.m.)
Nickelodeon Night (PAW Patrol Jerseys) + Guns N Hoses Night + Pucks ‘N’ Paws Night + Family 4 Pack + Postgame Jersey Auction
BUY TICKETS – BUY FAMILY 4 PACK

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jake Horton – 2 GP | 1 G – 0 A – 1 P
While he only had one goal on the weekend, Jake Horton was the hardest working player on the ice in the two games in southwest Florida. His work was recognized by the Springfield Thunderbirds, and he was called up to the AHL on Sunday afternoon.

RABBIT TAILS

• With a point on Friday night, Michael Pelech now trails Sean Berkstresser by six points for 7th in all-time Greenville hockey scoring. He trails Brandon Wong by nine assists for 6th all-time in assists.
• Luke Ripley made his return off of Injured Reserve on Saturday night in Estero. It was the defenseman’s first action since November 27 in Jacksonville.
• Greenville’s 99 home goals rank third-most in the league behind Allen and Newfoundland (111), as well as Reading (100).
• The Swamp Rabbits (19-0-0) remains just one of three teams that are undefeated when leading after two periods, including Florida (27-0-0) and Brampton (20-0-0).

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. South Carolina Stingrays (34-10-4) – 72 pts
2. Florida Everblades (33-11-5) – 71 pts
3. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (24-25-2) – 50 pts
4. Orlando Solar Bears (21-21-6) – 48 pts
5. Atlanta Gladiators (20-25-2) – 42 pts
6. Jacksonville Icemen (17-22-6) – 40 pts
7. Norfolk Admirals (12-31-5) – 29 pts

*standings as of 10:00 a.m. on February 10, 2020

The post KUHN: SWAMP RABBITS WEEKLY #18 first appeared on Howlings.

Swamp Rabbits hit speed bump ahead of top team in the South Division

BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville, SC – The weekly recap starts with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hitting a bit of a speed bump in the early part of the season, set back by some injuries and call-ups on the blue line. Greenville got back to full strength by the end of the week, but could only scratch out one win in four tries this past week.

The Tulsa Oilers, who had struggled to begin the season, found their offensive touch in two midweek games against the Rabbits. The Oilers struck four times in a five-minute span in the first period and never looked back in an 8-2 win over Greenville.

The Swamp Rabbits came back in force and made it a game in the back half of the road set in Oklahoma. While they surrendered the first goal of the game, and were down 3-1 heading into the third period, Cédric Lacroix posted a goal at the 12:09 mark of the third period to cut the lead to one. Unfortunately, the comeback fell just short.

Brien Diffley returned to the lineup after a stint on IR for an upper-body injury to complete the understaffed defense corps. Up against a desperate Jacksonville Icemen team that could not seem to put it together, the Swamp Rabbits knew they would be up against stiff competition. Jacksonville struck first to open the scoring early in the first period, but that did not deter the offense.

Matt Marcinew‘s four-point night helped the Swamp Rabbits overpower the Icemen, including a shot margin of 45-28, in a win over Jacksonville to stay perfect in the season series.

It was a quick turnaround for the club, as the next afternoon, it was a date with the pesky I-85 rivals, the Atlanta Gladiators. Atlanta forged a 4-1 lead after the first period, in a game that looked like it was over before it even began.

Greenville never wavered. The Swamp Rabbits staged a comeback with three goals in the first 12 and a half minutes of the second period, with goals from Marcinew, Jacob Pritchard and Patrick Bajkov, to tie the game. Samuel Asselin’s pair of goals in the second period gave Atlanta a lead they would never give up, and powered by his hat trick, the Glads picked up the win.

10/30 at Tulsa Oilers – L 8-2
10/31 at Tulsa Oilers – L 3-2
11/2 vs. Jacksonville Icemen – W 5-3
11/3 at Atlanta Gladiators – L 7-6

UPCOMING GAMES
Make A Wish Night + Attack Pack for $48!
Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs. South Carolina Stingrays
Friday, November 8 – 7:05 p.m.
Tickets — Listen — Watch

Hockey Heroes 4 Epilepsy + Post-game Autographs
Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Tulsa Oilers
Saturday, November 9 – 7:05 p.m.
Tickets — Listen — Watch

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Matt Marcinew – 4 GP | 3 G – 3 A – 6 P
It took five games for Matt Marcinew to get on the scoreboard with the Swamp Rabbits, but once he did, he couldn’t stop. His four points helped Greenville pick up its lone win on the week against Jacksonville on Saturday night. He scored a pivotal goal to kickstart Greenville’s comeback attempt on Sunday afternoon, and added an assist in the 7-6 loss.

RABBIT TAILS

• Forward Liam Pecararo is the first player in the ECHL to hit double digits in goals, as he scored his 10th of the season against Jacksonville on Saturday.
• Chad Duchesne hit a milestone this week, as he passed Brandon Wong for the fifth-most games played by a Greenville hockey player. He trails T.J. Reynolds by 22 games for fourth place, who played 210 for the Road Warriors.
• Greenville continues to hold the best home goal differential at +10, and on average, own the third-best offense in the league (4.30 goals for per game).
• The team has been remarkably disciplined as well, as they take the fourth-fewest penalty minutes on average (11.10 per game). The opposition has taken eight more penalty minutes than the Swamp Rabbits (119 vs. 111).

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

1. South Carolina Stingrays (6-1-0) – 12 pts
2. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (5-5-0) – 10 pts
3. Florida Everblades (5-3-0) – 10 pts
4. Atlanta Gladiators (4-3-0) – 8 pts
5. Orlando Solar Bears (2-4-1) – 5 pts
6. Norfolk Admirals (2-6-1) – 5 pts
7. Jacksonville Icemen (1-4-2) – 4 pts

*Standings as of 10:00 a.m. on November 4, 2019

The post KUHN: SWAMP RABBITS WEEKLY #4 first appeared on Howlings.

      VERSUS          

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

The Greenville Road Warriors locked up home ice for the first round of the Kelly Cup playoffs by beating the South Carolina Stingrays 4-3 at the BI-LO Center on Tuesday night. The win improved Greenville to 41-23-6 on the season.

Click here for tonight’s box score.

Brandon Wong became the first player in Road Warriors history, and the fifth player in the ECHL this season, to reach the 30 goal plateau with a shot from a ridiculous angle. Perched just below the goal line on the left wing he banked a shot off of goalie Billy Sauer and in to lift Greenville to a 1-0 lead at 6:20. Blake Parlett and Bretton Cameron assisted. Greenville was given a golden opportunity to double the lead with a 40-second 5-on-3 power play a few minutes later but was unable to convert. Once back at full strength, the Stingrays mounted an attack. They launched seven shots Jason Missiaen’s way over the final half of the stanza, but couldn’t find the equalizer. Missiaen stopped 12 shots in all in the first.

The second period featured some fine work on the power play by both squads but the Road Warriors doubled up the Stingrays’ effort and took a two-goal lead into the third. Johann Kroll knotted the score with a wrist shot from the point with 13:06 gone by. Just over a minute later Billy Ryan initiated a collision with Missiaen that earned him an interference minor but also knocked Missiaen out of the game. The Road Warriors didn’t score on the ensuing power play, but Wong (17:28) and Justin Bowers (19:08) tallied on the advantage before the period expired. In relief of Missiaen, Nic Riopel stopped both shots he faced in just over five minutes of work.

South Carolina put together a furious rally early in the third period and picked up a pair of goals to knot the score. Andrew Cherniwchan scored his third as a pro at 8:12 to pull the ‘Rays within one and Billy Ryan potted the tying goal just 1:39 later. The score remained deadlocked until the Road Warriors pulled ahead on Sean Berkstresser’s 12th of the season. Wong tried to lift a backhander under the crossbar on a wraparound but Sauer slid across for the save. Perched on the doorstop, Berkstresser slammed home the rebound for the winning score.

Missiaen stopped 18 of 19 in his time while Riopel earned the win in stopping 11 of 13. The Road Warriors were 2-for-7 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors are back at the BI-LO Center for their next home game on Friday, March 30 at 7:35 p.m. against the South Carolina Stingrays. Come out for Fan Appreciation Night. There are great giveaways scheduled throughout the night and the Road Warriors will wear their alternate green jerseys one last time. The jerseys will then be auctioned off live after the game. 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!

The post STINGERS STUNG first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

The Greenville Road Warriors kick off the final week of the 2011-12 season tonight when they host the South Carolina Stingrays. It’s the first of three games this week between the in-state rivals.

The Road Warriors (40-23-6, 86 pts.) host South Carolina (35-27-7, 77 pts.) today for the 14th of 16 meetings between the clubs this season. Fans can follow the action by watching America One or listening at Greenvilleroadwarriors.com. Greenville is 11-2-0 this season against the Stingrays which includes a 6-0-0 mark at the BI-LO Center. Tonight is the first game in Greenville between the Road Warriors and Stingrays since Friday, March 2, but is the fifth of seven between the teams in March. The 2-1 overtime win on Pink in the Rink was the second of five consecutive wins for Greenville over the Stingrays. The streak continued with wins in North Charleston on March 9, 10, and 16. Fans should expect a closely played game between these teams as three of the last four meetings have gone to overtime and none have been decided by more than two goals.

Kelly Cup Playoffs Update:

Greenville can clinch fourth place in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a win.
Gwinnett can clinch first place in the South Division if Greenville loses in regulation.

Join the Road Warriors tonight for Two For Tuesday presented by BI-LO. Fans can show their BI-LO BONUSCARD at the Breakaway Honda Ticket Office at the BI-LO Center to receive one free ticket with the purchase of a ticket of equal value.

Who: Greenville Road Warriors vs. South Carolina Stingrays

What: Home Game #35, Season Game #70
When: 7:35 p.m.
Where: BI-LO Center, 650 N. Academy St., Greenville, SC 29601

NOTEWORTHY:

• Greenville is one of three teams in the league (Alaska and Las Vegas are the other two) to have two skaters, Brandon Wong (29) and Marc-Olivier Vallerand (28) in the top ten in goals.
• Sean Berkstresser has 13 points (8G, 5A) in his last 19 games and Greenville is 11-5-3 over that span. Berkstresser is the only Road Warrior to play in every game this season.
• The Road Warriors have a magic number of two to clinch the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Florida’s maximum point total is 87 so the Road Warriors clinch when they hit 88.
• Greenville (along with Elmira and Ontario) is one of three teams in the league with a chance to win 20 home and road games this season.
• Justin Bowers has gone four games without registering a point – his longest drought of the season. Prior to this skid he had not gone more than two straight games in his Road Warrior career without a point.

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

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors are back at the BI-LO Center for their next home game on Friday, March 30 at 7:35 p.m. against the South Carolina Stingrays. Come out for Fan Appreciation Night. There are great giveaways scheduled throughout the night and the Road Warriors will wear their alternate green jerseys one last time. The jerseys will then be auctioned off live after the game. 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!

The post PUTTING THE STING IN STINGRAY FOR WARRIORS first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

The Battle of the Palmetto State highlights the Road Warriors‘ final week of the regular season. They square off against the South Carolina Stingrays three times and still have a chance to claim first place in the Eastern Conference.

Record: 40-23-6, 86 pts., 2nd place South Division

Leaders:
Goals – Brandon Wong: 29
Assists – Justin Bowers: 58
Points – Justin Bowers: 76
+/- – Brandon Wong: +20
PIMs – T.J. Reynolds: 187
PPG – Marc-Olivier Vallerand/#Jeff Prough: 9
SHG – Brandon Wong: 3
Wins – Jason Missiaen: 22
GAA – Jason Missiaen: 2.72
SVP – Jason Missiaen: .915

# = Not on current roster

Previewing the Upcoming Week:

3/27 & 3/30 vs. S. Carolina; 3/31 at S. Carolina – 7:35 p.m. & 7:35 p.m.; 7:05 p.m.,

Home vs. SC 6-0-0, Away vs. SC 5-2-0

• The Road Warriors won’t have to leave the Palmetto State in the final week of the season as they face off three times against the South Carolina Stingrays. Tuesday’s visit by South Carolina will be its first since March 2 when Greenville won 2-1 in overtime in the annual Pink in the Rink game. Since then the teams have played three times at the North Charleston Coliseum with the Road Warriors coming away victorious in all three. In the four prior meetings between Greenville and South Carolina this month three have had to go to overtime, and two into shootouts, to decide the winner. The Road Warriors enter the week needing to win all three games against South Carolina to have a chance to win the South Division and Eastern Conference while the Stingrays are just two points in front of eighth place Cincinnati.

Day-by-Day Schedule:

3/26/12 – Practice at The Pavilion, 9:30 a.m.

“Between the Pipes” radio show at Ford’s Oyster House and Cajun Kitchen, 7:00 p.m.

3/27/12 – * Pre-game skate at BI-LO Center, 10:00 a.m.

Road Warriors vs. South Carolina, 7:35 p.m.

3/28/12 – * Practice at BI-LO Center, 10:00 a.m.

3/29/12 – * Practice at BI-LO Center, 10:00 a.m.

3/30/12 – * Pre-game skate at BI-LO Center, 10:00 a.m.

Road Warriors vs. South Carolina, 7:35 p.m.

3/31/12 –   Road Warriors at South Carolina, 7:05 p.m.

4/1/12 – Off

The Road Warriors will have an announcement this week regarding their 2012 Kelly Cup Playoff schedule once the team’s first round opponent is known.

* Denotes an appearance/event that is not open to the general public.  The Road Warriors’ schedule is subject to change. It is recommended to contact the Road Warriors to confirm times of certain events, particularly practices.

Road Warriors Broadcast Information

All Greenville Road Warriors games are broadcast live online courtesy of America One. You can listen to every game for free by clicking on the “Listen Live” link located on the Road Warriors’ home page –  Greenvilleroadwarriors.com. The Road Warriors Pre-Game Show kicks off every broadcast 15 minutes prior to faceoff.

Recapping Last Week:

3/23 vs. Gwinnett: SOL 3-2

Box Score

• The Road Warriors collected the first two goals of the game courtesy of Sean Berkstresser and Brandon Wong. Berkstresser’s goal midway through the first was his 11th of the season and Wong potted his 29th with a shorthanded marker early in the second. Gwinnett, though, settled down defensively and limited Greenville to 10 shots on goal over the final 40 minutes of play. That was opposed to 15 Greenville shots in the first. Doug Jones pulled Gwinnett within one on a power play goal at 12:45 of the second and Joey Haddad capped the comeback with a power play goal at 19:51 of the third. After a scoreless overtime it was off to a shootout to decide the winner. Goalies Jason Missiaen and Marc Cheverie each allowed one goal in the first five rounds of the shootout, but in the sixth Cheverie stopped Bretton Cameron and Tyler Murovich scored on Missiaen to lift Gwinnett to the win.

3/24 vs. Gwinnett: L 2-3
Box Score

• For the third consecutive game against Gwinnett the Road Warriors scored the first goal of the game. Chris McKelvie hammered home a one-timer 7:43 into the first with assists from Jeremy Gouchie and Jason Wilson. Gwinnett earned the tying goal on a shot from Steven Mallaro at 17:01 of the first. The Gladiators then took their first lead of the night just over a minute into the second when Nikita Kashirsky snuck a wrist shot past Nic Riopel. With the teams playing four-on-four a few minutes later Wes Cunningham sprung Marc-Olivier Vallerand and he beat Marc Cheverie to tie the score. After the early flurry Riopel and Cheverie shut the offenses down until the third period. Near the midway point Paul Flache jammed a backdoor goal past Riopel and put Gwinnett back in front. The lead held up even in spite of a 6-on-3 Road Warriors power play over the final 26 seconds of the game.

Quick Hits:

• Brandon Wong has five goals in his last five games including three shorthanded goals. He leads the team in goals (29) and shorthanded goals (3). He currently ranks seventh in the league in goals. Marc-Olivier Vallerand’s 28 goals rank him 10th in the league and makes Greenville one of three teams (also Alaska and Las Vegas) with two skaters among the top ten in goals.
• Five of Greenville’s last 11 games have gone to overtime with four of those going to a shootout. The Road Warriors are 5-2 in overtime and 5-4 in shootouts this season. Their 16 overtime games are tied for fourth most in the league.
• Sean Berkstresser has posted 13 points (8G, 5A) over his last 19 games dating back to February 14, 2012. He has helped Greenville put together an 11-5-3 record over that span. His 27 points (11G, 16A) make for the second-highest total of his pro career. He is also the only Road Warrior to have played in every game this season.
• Greenville has a magic number of one to clinch the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The maximum points fifth place Florida can earn is 87 so by subtracting Greenville’s 86 points and adding one you get Greenville’s magic number. Greenville’s magic number is reduced any time Florida loses in regulation and the Road Warriors win or lose in overtime/shootout, or when Florida loses in overtime/shootout and Greenville wins in regulation.
• On Saturday Greenville has a chance to do something that no other team in the ECHL has done yet this season; win 20 games at home and on the Road. The Road Warriors’ 19 road wins currently rank second in the ECHL behind only Reading (21). Greenville’s 21 home wins rank fifth in the league. Elmira and Ontario also have a chance to pull off the feat with 19 road wins and two away games left on their schedules.

Upcoming Events:

• Tuesday, March 27: Road Warriors vs. South Carolina, 7:35 p.m. – BI-LO Two For Tuesday. Bring your BI-LO BONUSCARD to the Breakaway Honda Ticket Office at the BI-LO Center prior to Tuesday’s game to get one free ticket with the purchase of another ticket of equal value.
• Friday, March 30: Road Warriors vs. South Carolina, 7:35 p.m. – Fan Appreciation Day. There are great prizes and raffles on tap throughout the night on Friday when the Road Warriors play their final home game of the regular season. They will wear their alternate green jerseys for the final time and they will be auctioned off live after the game. Fans can also take advantage of the Spinx Family Four-Pack which features four tickets, hot dogs, fountain drinks, and bags of chips for $48.
• Early April: Kelly Cup Playoffs! The Road Warriors have qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season and playoff packages are on sale right now. There are options to pay as you go and playoff packages start at $8.50 per seat per game. Call 864-674-PUCK for information on playoff tickets.

The post ROAD WARRIORS WEEKLY RELEASE: 3/26-4/1/12 first appeared on Howlings.

VERSUS      

BY: Ray Schmitt, the Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

The Greenville Road Warriors had a third period lead slip away and they fell to Gwinnett 2-1 in the shootout on Friday night at the BI-LO Center. The 3-2 setback left the Road Warriors‘ record at 40-22-6.

Click here for tonight’s box score.

Greenville grabbed the all-important first goal of the game just near the midway point of the first period as a Gwinnett penalty was expiring. Jeff Caister ripped a slap-shot from the left wing that was tipped home by Sean Berkstresser for his 11th goal of the season. The Road Warriors used that goal, a triumphant penalty kill that survived over a minute of a late 5-on-3, and 13 first-period saves by Jason Missiaen to take the lead into the intermission.

The Road Warriors appeared to exorcise some of their second-period demons from earlier in the season as Brandon Wong cashed in a shorthanded goal 2:50 in to lift the Road Warriors to a 2-0 lead. It was Wong’s third shorthanded goal in the last two games, and 29th of the season overall. Greenville couldn’t maintain the advantage, though, as Doug Jones potted a power play goal just under 13 minutes gone by in the stanza. Gwinnett sent a healthy amount of rubber Missiaen’s way but the rookie stopped 11 of the 12 he saw. Gwinnett’ s Marc Cheverie faced five shots from the Road Warriors in the stanza and swatted away four.

The third was an extreme defensive struggle with both teams finding shots hard to come by. Gwinnett continued to chip away at the Greenville defense and finally created a crack when Justin Bowers was sent off for elbowing with 1:59 to play. Gwinnett pulled Cheverie for the extra attacker with about a minute and a half to play and jockeyed for the tying goal. Greenville bled the clock down to the final few seconds and was faced with a defensive zone draw with 25 seconds to go. Gwinnett won the draw and set up a play that was finished off by Joey Haddad for the tying goal with nine seconds left in the game.

After a scoreless overtime and just one shot on goal in the sudden death period the game went to a shootout. It took six shooters to set the final but it was Gwinnett’s Nikita Kashirsky and Tyler Murovich besting Missiaen and only Kale Kerbashian able to squeeze a shot past Cheverie in Greenville’s favor.

Missiaen turned away 30 shots in sustaining the loss. The Road Warriors were 0-for-2 on the power play and 4-for-6 on the penalty kill.

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!

The post WARRIORS SLAIN BY GLADIATORS first appeared on Howlings.

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!

The post GWINNETT STANDS IN THE WAY AS WARRIORS LOOK TO RUN THEM OVER TO THE PLAYOFFS first appeared on Howlings.

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

With two weeks left in the regular season the Road Warriors have locked up a playoff berth. With five games remaining they are still very much in the hunt for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Record: 40-22-5, 85 pts., 2nd place South Division

Leaders:

Goals – Brandon Wong: 28
Assists – Justin Bowers: 58
Points – Justin Bowers: 76
+/- – Brandon Wong: +19
PIMs – T.J. Reynolds: 183
PPG – #Marc-Olivier Vallerand/#Jeff Prough/Brett Robinson: 9/8
SHG – Brandon Wong: 2
Wins – Jason Missiaen: 22
GAA – Jason Missiaen: 2.75
SVP – Jason Missiaen: .915

# = Not on current roster

Previewing the Upcoming Week:

3/23 & 3/24 vs. Gwinnett – 7:05 p.m. & 7:35 p.m., Home vs. GWT 6-1-0, Away vs. GWT 1-5-2

• The Battle of I-85 will hit the end of the road this weekend in Greenville with the Road Warriors hosting the Gladiators for the final two games of the season. The pendulum of momentum in the season series has swung Gwinnett’s way with the Gladiators winning each of the last three games. Greenville, however, has history on its side when the series comes to the BI-LO Center. The Road Warriors have out-scored Gwinnett 26-16 in winning six of the seven games in Greenville between the clubs. Including last season, the Road Warriors are 12-4-0 at home against Gwinnett. Greenville enters play this week two points behind Gwinnett for first place in the Eastern Conference. Each of the last three times the teams have met first place in the East has been on the line.

Day-by-Day Schedule:

3/19/12– Off

• “Between the Pipes” radio show at Ford’s Oyster House and Cajun Kitchen, 7:00 p.m.
• Road Warriors players and Rowdy at Fried Green Tomatoes (Woods Crossing Rd.), 5:30-7:00 p.m.

3/20/12 – * Practice at BI-LO Center, 10:00 a.m.

3/21/12 – * Practice at BI-LO Center, 10:00 a.m.

3/22/12 – * Practice at BI-LO Center, 10:00 a.m.

3/23/12 – * Pre-game skate at BI-LO Center, 10:00 a.m.

                  Road Warriors vs. Gwinnett, 7:35 p.m.

3/24/12 – * Pre-game skate at BI-LO Center, 10:00 a.m.

                  Road Warriors vs. Gwinnett, 7:05 p.m.

3/25/12 – Off

• Denotes an appearance/event that is not open to the general public.
• The Road Warriors’ schedule is subject to change.
• It is recommended to contact the Road Warriors to confirm times of certain events, particularly practices.

Road Warriors Broadcast Information

• All Greenville Road Warriors games are broadcast live online courtesy of America One. You can listen to every game free by clicking on the “Listen Live” link located on the Road Warriors’ home page – Greenvilleroadwarriors.com. The Road Warriors Pre-Game Show kicks off every broadcast 15 minutes prior to faceoff.

Recapping Last Week:

3/16 at South Carolina: SOW 3-2

Box Score

• Greenville made its penultimate visit to North Charleston this season a memorable one with the Road Warriors forging a late tie and winning a marathon shootout by a goal. Billy Ryan scored a pair of goals in the game for the Stingrays which gave them one-goal leads in the second and third periods. The third-period lead came with just 2:35 remaining in the game. Just 61 seconds after that goal, though, Kale Kerbashian completed a coast-to-coast dash to net the tying goal. Tim Coffman had the other tally for Greenville late in the second period to tie the game at one. After a scoreless overtime it was Jason Missiaen and Billy Sauer turning in masterful performances in the shootout. Trent Campbell and Justin Bowers each scored in the first round but the netminders each stopped the next seven shooters a side. Finally, in the bottom of the ninth, Greenville rookie Francis Meilleur beat Sauer for the game winner. It was Meilleur’s first shootout attempt of the season.

3/17 at Gwinnett: L 3-4

Box Score

• Greenville nearly snapped its losing streak in Gwinnett in its final visit of the season but fell one goal short. First period markers by Brandon Wong and Kale Kerbashian had the Road Warriors ahead 2-0 headed into the second. Momentum swung in Gwinnett’s favor in a big way as the Gladiators started their rally with a power play goal 45 seconds into the session. Three more goals followed as the Gladiators built up a 4-2 lead. Greenville’s Lee Baldwin trimmed the deficit to one when he tipped home a Justin Bowers centering pass with 35 seconds remaining in the stanza. Despite an 11-7 shot advantage in the third period Greenville could not squeeze a shot past Marc Cheverie to tie the score. Nic Riopel turned in 22 saves but suffered his second straight loss since returning from injury.

3/18 vs. Cincinnati: W 5-1

Box Score

• With some help from other teams losing the previous night, Greenville began its five-game home stand with a chance to clinch a Kelly Cup playoff berth with a win over Cincinnati. The Road Warriors’ five-goal assault was led by Brandon Wong who scored his second career hat trick and added an assist for four points. Wong nearly doubled Greenville’s season total for shorthanded goals by scoring a pair of shorties in the third period to complete the hat trick. Cincinnati, which was battling to shore up its eighth seed for the playoffs, launched 47 shots Jason Missiaen’s way, but the rookie goalie stood tall and compiled a career-best 46 saves in earning his 22nd win of the season.

Quick Hits:

• With five points (4G, 1A) in three games last week, Brandon Wong was nominated for ECHL Player of the Week honors. He leads the Road Warriors with 28 goals and a +19 rating. Also, Jason Missiaen was nominated for ECHL Goalie of the Week after going 2-0-0 with 1.44 goals-against average and a .961 save percentage. He has won goalie of the week twice already this season.
• Road Warriors captain T.J. Reynolds leads team defensemen in +/- at +13. He has been even or better in each of Greenville’s nine games in March. His +2 on Sunday’s win over Cincinnati tied his season high for the ninth time.
• With Sunday’s win, goalie Jason Missiaen has crafted his fourth four-game winning streak of the season. He has not allowed more than two goals in any of the four games over the streak, and has held opponents to under three goals in nine of his last 11 starts overall. He is 6-1-0 in the month of March with a 1.80 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage.
• Greenville has a magic number of six to clinch the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The maximum points fifth place Wheeling can earn is 90 so by subtracting Greenville’s 85 points and adding one you get Greenville’s magic number. Greenville’s magic number is reduced any time Wheeling loses in regulation and the Road Warriors win or lose in overtime/shootout, or when Wheeling loses in overtime/shootout and Greenville wins in regulation.
• Greenville has only South Division teams remaining on its schedule with two games against Gwinnett and three against South Carolina. Four of the five games are at the BI-LO Center where the Road Warriors have a 16-3-1 against South Division foes this season and a 32-10-2 mark in their history.

Upcoming Events:

• Friday, March 23: Road Warriors vs. Gwinnett, 7:35 p.m. – Spinx Family Four-Pack. Round up the family and save on a night at the game with the Spinx Family Four-Pack. With it you get four tickets, four hot dogs, four fountain drinks, and four bags of chips for just $48. You can also show your BI-LO BONUSCARD at the ticket office window starting two hours prior to faceoff to receive up to four free tickets, while supplies last, in the BI-LO Family Fun Section.
• Saturday, March 24: Road Warriors vs. Gwinnett, 7:05 p.m. – Pucks and Paws presented by Cleveland Park Animal Hospital and Upstate Veterinary Specialists. The BI-LO Center will be going to the dogs on March 24! Fans can bring their dogs with them to the game to enjoy the Dog Fun Zone, take part in the cutest dog contest, and more. Also, call in advance to enter your dog in the small dog derby that will take place at intermission.
• Early April: Kelly Cup Playoffs! The Road Warriors have qualified for the playoffs for the second straight season and playoff packages are on sale right now. There are options to pay as you go and playoff packages start at $8.50 per seat per game. Call 864-674-PUCK for information on playoff tickets.

The post ROAD WARRIORS WEEKLY RELEASE: 3/19-3/26/12 first appeared on Howlings.