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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville Road Warriors Weekly

April 2, 2012 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


GREENVILLE, SC - This week the Greenville Road Warriors embark on their quest to bring the Kelly Cup to the Upstate. The journey begins with Games 1 and 2 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series in Estero, Florida against the Everblades.

Final Regular Season Record: 41-25-6, 88 pts., 2nd place South Division

Playoff Record: 0-0-0

Regular Season Leaders:

Goals - Brandon Wong: 31

Assists - Justin Bowers: 59

Points - Justin Bowers: 78

+/- - Brandon Wong: +20

PIMs - T.J. Reynolds: 189

PPG - Marc-Olivier Vallerand: 10

SHG - Brandon Wong: 3

Wins - Jason Missiaen: 22

GAA - Jason Missiaen: 2.71

SVP - Jason Missiaen: .916

Playoff Leaders:

Goals -

Assists -

Points -

+/- -

PIMs -

PPG -

SHG -

Wins -

GAA -

SVP -

Previewing the Upcoming Week:

4/2 & 4/3 at Florida, 7:30 p.m.; 4/6, 4/7*, & 4/9* vs. Florida, 7:35 p.m., 7:05 p.m., & 7:35 p.m.

* if necessary

The Eastern Conference quarterfinal series is the first postseason meeting for the Road Warriors and Everblades. The South Division rivals played 11 times during the 2011-12 season with the Road Warriors compiling a 7-3-1 record. That included a 4-1-0 mark at Germain Arena where Games 1 and 2 will be played. In Greenville, the Road Warriors were 3-2-0 against the 'Blades and they will host Games 3, 4, and 5. The Road Warriors are tasked with slowing down the ECHL's second-best regular season offense. The Everblades notched 260 goals in 2011-12 which averaged out to 3.61 per game. The Road Warriors' offense packed a punch, too, and churned out 232 for a 3.22 average which ranked sixth in the league.

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 - www.greenvilleroadwarriors.com. The Road Warriors Pre-Game Show kicks off every broadcast 15 minutes prior to faceoff.

Recapping Last Week:

3/27 vs. South Carolina: W 4-3

The Road Warriors' power play paved the way to the victory with a 2-for-7 effort. Brandon Wong and Justin Bowers tallied on the advantage in the second period following a Johann Kroll power play strike that had tied the game at one. South Carolina battled back with a pair of strikes in the third period to even up the score at three each. Wong had scored Greenville's first two goals of the game then turned setup man when he dished out the primary assist on Sean Berkstresser's game winning goal with 4:19 to play. The goal was one of only five Greenville shots in the third period but it was enough offense in the end. Nic Riopel earned the win with 11 saves on 13 shots in just over 25 minutes of work. He came on in relief of Jason Missiaen who was injured late in the second period.

3/30 vs. South Carolina: L 2-3

Greenville held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in its home finale but South Carolina battled back each time. Jeremy Gouchie put Greenville ahead 31 seconds into the game with his sixth goal of the season, but Max Lacroix tied it just past the midway point of the first. Marc-Olivier Vallerand restored the lead five minutes and 12 seconds later with a power play goal, his 10th of the season. It was an early second period goal by Daniel Koger, a deflection on a power play, that got past Nic Riopel and equalized the score. That was the only notch in the period, but South Carolina claimed its first lead at 13:38 of the third on Lacroix's second goal of the game. That stood as the game winner as the Road Warriors couldn't find the tying goal despite pulling Riopel for the extra attacker.

3/31 at South Carolina: L 2-5

The Road Warriors and Stingrays played one another dead even through 40 minutes of hockey, but the Stingrays took control with a three-goal third period and claimed victory in the regular season finale. South Carolina opened up a 2-0 lead on first period goals by Nielsson Arcibal and Pierre-Luc O'Brien. The Road Warriors began digging out of the hole 38 seconds after O'Brien's goal as Marc-Olivier Vallerand notched his 30th of the season. Adam Comrie drew Greenville even with his first as a Road Warrior at 12:38 of the first. A scoreless second left the game tied heading into the third where the Stingrays picked up scores from Daniel Koger, Shea Walters, and Michael Dorr. Dorr's was an empty netter as Riopel was pulled for an extra attacker.

Quick Hits:

* Brandon Wong (6G, 7A) and Justin Bowers (4G, 9A) led the Road Warriors with 13 points against Florida during the regular season. Scott Pitt (5G, 5A) paced Florida against Greenville with 10.

* Nic Riopel was 4-1-0 against Florida during the 2011-12 season and holds an 11-2-2 record against the 'Blades in his career. He is 6-1-1 all-time at Germain Arena.

* Greenville's offense was been limited to two goals in four of its final five games of the season. Greenville was a combined 1-for-12 on the power play in those games.

* Marc-Olivier Vallerand recorded a point in four of five games (3G, 2A) and was +2 after returning from AHL Rockford.

* The Road Warriors have four rookies on the roster making their professional playoff debuts. That is almost three times less than the 11 rookies that made their playoff debuts last season.

Upcoming Events:

Friday, April 6: Road Warriors vs. Florida, 7:35 p.m. - Game 3. The Road Warriors host the Everblades in their Kelly Cup playoff opener this Friday. Deaville Roofing and Construction, GEICO, and Konica Minolta are sponsoring a rally towel giveaway to the first 1,500 fans through the door. Also the BI-LO Family Fun Section will be open. Show your BI-LO BONUSCARD at the ticket office window starting two hours prior to faceoff to get up to four free tickets while supplies last.

If Games 4 and 5 become necessary they will be played on Saturday, April 7 and Monday, April 9 at the BI-LO Center. Game 4 will be at 7:05 p.m. and Game 5 will be at 7:35 p.m. Discounted tickets and preferred seating based on availability are available for any group of 10 or more that books in advance. Call 864-674-PUCK (7825) to book your group outing.

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