Inferno sweep Grrrowl three-games-to-none to advance to Division finals
April 7, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Grrrowl News Release
GREENVILLE, SC â The Greenville Grrrowl's title defense ended with a 6-4 loss to the Columbia Inferno in front of 2,288 at the BI-LO Center Monday night. The Inferno swept the best-of-five Southeast Division Semi-Final Series three-games-to-none.
Columbia opened a 1-0 lead with a powerplay goal from Robin Carruthers at 13:52 of the first period. Grrrowl defenseman CHRIS WISMER tied the game, 1-1, 2:58 into the second period. Barrie Moore (8:45) and Rejean Stringer (11:51) scored second period goals giving the top-seeded team in the Southern Conference a 3-1 lead. Goals 4:15 seconds apart from MARTIN MASA and ERIC LIND tied the game at 3-3 after 40 minutes. Inferno starting goaltender Patrick Couture was injured after MATT DEMARSKI crashed the net when MASA pulled the Grrrowl within one at 12:52 of the second period.
Inferno back-up goaltender Josh Blackburn surrendered goals to LIND and MIKE HENDERSON, but the Inferno received a goal from Tim Smith and two goals from Matt Ulwelling â one into the empty net â down the stretch to preserve the 6-4 win and the three game series sweep.
The Inferno scored 18 goals, including 10 powerplay goals (10 for 19), in the three game sweep. The Grrrowl used a 3-2 win over the Florida Everblades to win a one-game playoff and advance to the Southeast Division Semi-Finals against Columbia. The Inferno now have home-ice advantage in a best-of-five Division Finals Series against the winner of the Pee Dee â South Carolina showdown.
The Greenville Grrrowl are the East Coast Hockey League affiliate of the National Hockey League's Atlanta Thrashers. Log onto www.grrrowl.com for more information and off-season news.
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