Road Warriors Tame Jackals
March 6, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
GREENVILLE, SC -The Greenville Road Warriors used a three-goal third period outburst to pick up a 5-3 win over the Elmira Jackals on Saturday night at the BI-LO Center. Greenville improved their record to 37-20-3 and extended their South Division point lead to seven over the South Carolina Stingrays.
In an effort to get the drop on the visiting Jackals, the Road Warriors opened the period with solid offensive pressure in the Elmira end. Greenville's efforts paid off when Wes Cunningham blasted a shot toward Elmira's goalie Marco Cousineau that was redirected by Brendan Connolly in front of the net to give the Road Warriors a 1-0 advantage at 5:26. Connolly's redirection was his16th goal of the season and extended his current point streak to three games (3G, 1A). Brandon Wong notched the secondary assist. Elmira netted the tying goal at 9:33 when A.J. Perry banged his own rebound past Road Warriors goalie NicRiopel after the initial stop. Josh Brittain and R.J. Anderson recorded assists on the goal. Greenville outshot Elmira 14-10 and went 2-for-2 on the penalty kill.
Elmira opened the second period on the power play due to a roughing penalty carried over from the end of the first by Greenville's Marc-Andre Bourdon. The Jackals capitalized with the extra man when Michael Dubuc sent a one-timer past Riopel to give the Jackals their first lead of the game. Dubuc's power play goal was assisted by YannickTifu and Justin Donati, the leading scorer in the ECHL. Greenville answered with a power play goal of their own midway through the second to even the score at two. Marc-Olivier Vallerand scored his team-leading 22nd goal of the season, as he connected on a rebound off of the initial shot by Justin Bowers. Bowers and Jimmy Kilpatrick received assists on the play, extending Kilpatrick's scoring streak to six games (2G, 4A). Both teams put pressure on the goaltenders near the end of the frame, but watched as each goalie shut down any scoring chances. Greenville outshot the Elmira 8-4 and was 1-for-3 on the power play.
Elmira received an early power play opportunity when Wong was whistled for tripping 40 seconds into the third, but was unable to crack the Road Warriors defense. The first half of the third featured some stellar glove work by both goalies as the defenses began to settle in. Greenville's captain, T.J. Reynolds, brought the crowd to its feet when he dropped the gloves to against Elmira's Brittain. Feeding off the energy from the fight, the Road Warriors grabbed the lead on Wong's 20th goal of the season, snapping it past Cousineau. Brad Cole and Sean Berkstresser picked up assists on the play. Berkstresser put the nail in the coffin at 16:30, tapping in a puck in front of the net to give the Road Warriors a two-goal cushion. Matt Schepke and Wong picked assists on the play. Bowers added a late power play goal, blasting a shot past Cousineau. Bowers' goal was his 13th of the season and Connolly picked up an assist on the play. Elmira scored a late garbage goal by Tristin Llewellyn to close the gap to 5-3, but it had no effect on the outcome.
Riopel stopped 21 of 24 shots to earn his fourth straight win and 19th overall this season. The Road Warriors ended the night 2-for-8 on the power play and 5-for-6 on the penalty kill. Greenville outshot Elmira 30-24
Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors return home to the BI-LO Center to battle the Elmira Jackals on Sunday, March 6 at 4:05 p.m. Sunday's game will be the last time you can join the Road Warriors on the ice for a post-game skating session. Admission to the ice is free and skates can be rented for $3 (dependent upon availability, fans are recommended to bring their own skates). Tickets are still available and groups of 10 or more qualify for discounts off of the box office price, preferred seating based on availability, and other great benefits. Call 864-674-PUCK to speak to a Road Warriors group sales representative.
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