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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville Road Warriors Game Preview

January 23, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


GREENVILLE, SC - The Greenville Road Warriors wrap up a three-in-three weekend, and play their final game before the all-star break, this afternoon against the Gwinnett Gladiators. The Road Warriors are facing an opponent that has beaten them four consecutive times in a building where they have won just twice this season. RECAPPING THE ACTION:

1/22/11 - GRW 1 - S.C. 5

The Road Warriors got what they were looking for to start the game last night at the North Charleston Coliseum with the first goal of the game. But from the second period on, the Stingrays were the more dominant offensive team and picked up their third straight win in the Palmetto State Rivalry. Brandon Wong's 14th goal of the season 13:06 into the first period with a hard wrist shot from the slot that beat Jared DeMichiel high to the blocker side. The Road Warriors carried that lead into the second, but a power play goal 44 seconds in by Josh Godfrey wiped out the lead. Nikita Kashirsky picked up the eventual game winning goal at 4:48 of the second with a wrist shot from the left wing that beat Nic Riopel. Pierre-Luc O'Brien capped off the second period for a 3-1 S.C. lead at 13:04 with a wraparound. In the third, Kashirsky and Rob Ricci (empty-net, shorthanded) added insurance markers for the Stingrays. Greenville was unable to register a goal in the third despite 16 shots on DeMichiel.

1/17/11 - GWT 5 - S.C. 6 (SO)

Just like the last time they played the Road Warriors, the Gladiators used a furious third-period rally to their advantage against a division opponent. They couldn't complete the comeback and earn both standings points, but did earn one for making it to overtime. The Stingrays led 3-2 going into the third period and used a couple of quick strikes to build up a three-goal advantage. Goals 2:07 apart by Jordan Pietrus and David de Kastrozza appeared to put the game out of reach, but the Gladiators didn't cave. Mike Forney (9:21), Pat Galivan (14:08), and Tom Zanoski (19:05) provided the heroics to help Gwinnett reach overtime. After a scoreless sudden death frame, the contest moved to a shootout where the Stingrays prevailed two goals to none. Chris Carrozzi sustained the loss with a 33-save effort.

WHAT'S ON TAP FOR TONIGHT:

The wildest installment of the Battle for I-85 took place when these teams met last at the BI-LO Center on January 14. Brandon Wong netted the first hat trick in Road Warriors' history, but he was matched by a hat trick from Gwinnett's Pat Galivan. The Road Warriors carried a 6-4 lead into the third, but allowed four straight goals to the Glads and sus-tained their fourth straight loss against their nearest rival. It won't be much consolation to the Road War-riors, but the games against Gwinnett have all been close recently and the goal advantage in the last four favors Gwinnett by just six (18-12). The losing streak comes after a dominating four-game stretch by Greenville where it out-scored Gwinnett 17-3.

Shane Harper came to the pro ranks after a prolific career with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. He finished last season with a club record 42 goals and set the all-time mark for goals in a career with 100. His assist last night extended his point streak to a career-best seven games (3G, 6A) which is the fourth-longest in the ECHL this season and second-longest for the Road Warriors. He has a point in 13 of his 17 games.

Since coming to the Road Warriors from Port-land of the AHL, Jacob Lagace has been a playmaking force with five assists in six games. The newcomer has done all of his dam-age at even strength and is a +3 for his efforts. With the Road Warriors, Lagace already has as many multi-point games (2) in six games as he did in 29 games with the Pirates. Lagace has been held without an assist in his last two games, however.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors will return home from a seven-game road trip on Wednesday, February 9 to take on the South Carolina Stingrays at 7:05 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. The Road Warriors will be celebrating Valentine's Day with special games and promotions throughout the evening. Group seating remains available for the game and you can call 864-674-PUCK to book your group outing and save off the box office price, receive preferred seating based on availability, and enjoy other great benefits.

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ECHL Stories from January 23, 2011


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