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Preview: Playoff Pressure Builds as Warriors Open Homestand

March 19, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


IT ALL STARTS HERE: The Greenville Road Warriors (31-27-4), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, continue their playoff push with a four-game homestand that kicks off tonight with "CDS Night" presented by SANDLAPPER Securities. Fans can purchase special tickets for the game with a portion of the proceeds donated to The Center for Developmental Services by visiting GreenvilleRoadWarriors.com/CDS .This evening's 7:00 p.m. contest will also feature $2 food and beverage specials as well as special $5 tickets available at the Box Office while supplies last. In addition, the Road Warriors will offer the new "Student Rush" promotion featuring a blue-level, center-ice ticket and a personal pan pizza for just $15! The offer is available only at the Box Office to students who show a valid ID after 5:00 p.m.

FAITH & FAMILY NIGHT : This Friday is "Faith and Family Night" presented by Certified Automotive and HIS Radio, featuring a special post-game concert performed by Christian artist Chris August, well-known for his No. 1 hit song "Starry Night." The evening will also include testimonials by Road Warriors' players who will talk about how their faith plays a role in their daily lives as professional athletes. In addition, the popular Warrior Fun Pack is available and provides a great opportunity for families to come out and enjoy the game! The Warrior Fun Pack includes four (4) red-level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) fountain drinks, four (4) bags of chips and two (2) Warriors drawstring bags for JUST $60! Tickets for "Faith and Family Night" can be purchased at GreenvilleRoadWarriors.com/Chris-August .

RACE NIGHT: Rev your engines up for "Race Night" this Saturday featuring a pre-game car show courtesy of the members of the Upstate Mustang Club. Matt Kenseth's #20 Dollar General NASCAR Toyota will also be on display before and during the game on the Bon Secours Wellness Arena concourse. The puck drops at 7:00 p.m. against Indy.

THE STORY COMING IN: With 10 games remaining in the regular season, the Road Warriors have dropped out of a playoff spot for the first time since November, and have suffered six straight losses entering tonight's action. The Road Warriors are tied for fifth in the East Division with Elmira, three points behind Orlando for the fourth and final playoff position. Last time out, forwards Thomas Frazee and Vinny Saponari each scored for Greenville in a 4-2 loss at Florida on Saturday. Jason Missiaen made 21 saves between the pipes. Tonight, the Warriors attempt to pull within one point of Orlando and look to snap their current skid.

FEELING "WELL": After playing 20 of its first 28 games on the road this season, Greenville will benefit down the stretch with eight of the team's final 10 games taking place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. In addition, the only two road games during that span will occur just two hours away in Duluth, GA against Gwinnett. The Road Warriors are currently 16-12-0 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink this season, but are looking for their first win at home since February 14th.

PLAYOFF PICTURE: Prior to the season, the ECHL Board of Governors announced changes to its Kelly Cup Playoff format for the 2014-15 campaign. Unlike the past several years, this season's format will include the top four teams from each division, rather than the top eight in each conference. The Road Warriors are currently tied with Elmira for fifth place in the East Division, three points behind Orlando. Both Elmira (one) and Orlando (two) have games in hand on Greenville. No team in the East Division has clinched a playoff berth yet, but the Everblades are closest with 88 points. Greenville has made the playoffs in each of its first four seasons in the Upstate.

WARRIORS VS. CYCLONES: Tonight's contest marks the third of four meetings between Greenville and Cincinnati this season, and the second matchup at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Warriors lead the season-series 2-0-0 following a win at home on December 11th and another on the road. In their last meeting, Jason Missiaen stopped 22 shots for his first shutout of the season on December 17th in a 3-0 victory at Cincinnati. Michael St. Croix earned the game-winning goal just 6:29 into the first period. The Road Warriors are 9-4-3 all-time against Cincinnati.

VIEW FROM CINCINNATI: The Cyclones are in the midst of their own playoff race and enter tonight's contest tied for fourth in the North Division with Wheeling, just one point ahead of sixth-place Indy. Cincinnati has struggled recently with a record of 3-6-1 in its last 10 games, including a 3-2 loss at Fort Wayne in its last contest on Sunday. In net, Rob Madore made 29 saves on 32 shots and fell to 14th among ECHL goaltenders with a 2.61 GAA this season. Forward Josh Shalla leads the team in goals (17), assists (25), points (42) and shots (191). Cincinnati continues a four-game road trip this weekend.

WARRIORS VS. FUEL: Saturday's contest will mark the third and final meeting between Greenville and Indy this season. The series is currently knotted 1-1-0 following a two-game series January 15-16. In their inaugural matchup, the Road Warriors battled back from an early two-goal deficit to force overtime, where Trevor Parkes tipped home Chris McCarthy's slap shot for the game-winner just 25 seconds into the extra session. The following night, Indy's Kyle Stroh recorded four points (1g, 3a) to lead the Fuel to a 4-2 victory at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

VIEW FROM INDY: On Nov. 11, 2013, the ECHL Board of Governors approved the expansion membership application of the Indy Fuel to begin play during the 2014-15 season. Now 61 games in, the Fuel have found their groove and are in the midst of a heated battle with Cincinnati and Wheeling for the final playoff spot in the North Division. Indy currently sits sixth, just one point out. In their last contest on Wednesday, the Fuel suffered their third straight loss with a 4-1 setback at home to Fort Wayne. Nick Jones scored Indy's only goal, while Garett Bembridge was held off the score sheet, but continues to lead the club in goals (25), assists (23), points (48) and shots (200). The Fuel are affiliated with the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks and the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.

SHOTS FROM THE POINT: Anthony Luciani scored in his Warriors' debut on Wednesday at Florida and now leads the club with 22 goals this season...He and Vinny Saponari, both former Cyclones, are tied for the team-lead with 59 points, just two shy of Greenville's Top 5 list of all-time single-season scorers...The Warriors are 17-0-0 when leading after two periods, 14-5-0 against North Division teams and 14-7-2 against the opponents they will see through the end of the regular season...Greenville leads the league with seven wins when trailing after the second period (7-23-3) and 10 victories beyond regulation (10-4).

MILESTONES

- Dallas Jackson is three points away from his 100th professional point

- Andrew Himelson is four games away from 100 professional games played

- Greenville is seven wins away from its 200th franchise victory

AFFILIATE REPORT

NHL: New York Rangers (44-18-7): Next at Carolina - Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET

AHL: Hartford Wolf Pack (33-21-8): Next vs. Lehigh Valley- Friday, 7:00 p.m. ET

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

Florida Everblades (41-13-6) = 88 points in 60 games Reading Royals (39-16-5) = 83 points in 60 games South Carolina Stingrays (37-18-7) = 81 points in 62 games Orlando Solar Bears (31-22-7) = 69 points in 60 games Elmira Jackals (30-25-6) = 66 points in 61 games Greenville Road Warriors (31-27-4) = 66 points in 62 games Gwinnett Gladiators (17-39-5) = 39 points in 61 games

FOLLOW: Keep up with the Road Warriors all season long and interact with other fans on the Official Road Warriors Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest and Instagram pages. F ans can listen or watch the games live via ECHL.TV .

For tickets or more information, please call a Road Warriors Account Executive at 864-674-PUCK or visit GreenvilleRoadWarriors.com/tickets-overview.html .


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