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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Major Playoff Implications on the Line Tonight

March 26, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


A NIGHT FOR THE FANS: The Greenville Road Warriors (33-28-4), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tonight for a critical battle against the Orlando Solar Bears, the team Greenville is directly chasing for the final playoff position. The 7:00 p.m. contest will not only feature playoff intensity, but also $2 food and beverage specials, as well as limited $5 tickets at the Box Office or HERE . The Road Warriors will also 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. tonight!

THE STORY COMING IN: Major playoff implications are on the line tonight as the Road Warriors and Solar Bears conclude their 10-game season series. Greenville is fifth in the East Division, five points behind fourth-place Orlando for the final playoff spot with seven games left in the regular season. In their last outing, the Warriors could not find an answer for the Indy Fuel on Saturday and suffered a 6-1 setback at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Michael St. Croix scored Greenville's only goal in the second period.

FEELING "WELL": After playing 20 of their first 28 games on the road this season, the Road Warriors will benefit down the stretch with five of their final seven contests 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. Greenville is currently 18-13-0 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink this season.

WARRIORS VS. BEARS: Tonight's contest marks the 10th and final meeting between Greenville and Orlando this season, and the fourth at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Solar Bears lead the series 5-4-0 and have won three straight battles, but the Road Warriors have earned points in six of the last seven matchups. In their last meeting on Feb. 5th, goaltender Garret Sparks made 34 saves to blank the Road Warriors, 3-0, in the Upstate. Greenville last beat Orlando on Dec. 5th and is 11-11-3 all-time against the Solar Bears. Kyle Jean leads the Road Warriors against Orlando with seven goals and nine points in nine games.

VIEW FROM ORLANDO: Vince Williams' team is on a three-game win streak and has earned at least one point in nine of its last 10 contests. That success has lifted the Solar Bears into the final playoff spot in the East Division, five points ahead of Greenville. Last time out, forward Brett Findlay (1g, 1a) led Orlando to a 4-1 victory at Gwinnett on Tuesday. Between the pipes, Garret Sparks stopped 32 of 33 shots and raised his save percentage to a league-best .934. The 21-year old netminder also improved to sixth in the ECHL with a 2.41 goals against average. Offensively, Jacob Cepis leads the team with 51 points, but is outside the top 44 in league scoring. The Solar Bears have two games in hand on Greenville.

SHOTS FROM THE POINT: Anthony Luciani and Vinny Saponari are tied for 15th in the league's scoring race with 62 points... Saponari is also tied for fourth in the ECHL with 44 assists...Michael St. Croix is on a three-game point streak (2g, 2a), while Thomas Frazee has five points (2g, 3a) in six games since joining the Road Warriors on March 9th...Greenville is 19-0-0 when leading after two periods and 11-6-2 against teams they will face through the end of the season.

MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE: All-Star goaltender Jeff Malcolm was returned to Greenville from AHL Hartford yesterday and is a huge addition to the playoff push. Malcolm is ninth in the ECHL with a 2.54 goals against average and tied for fifth with a .920 save percentage in 25 starts (15-9-1). He notched a 6-4-0 record with a 3.40 goals against average and .893 save percentage in 10 games with Hartford this season.

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. With a win last night, South Carolina joined Florida and Reading as the teams that have already clinched a playoff berth, leaving just one spot left. Greenville is currently fifth in the East, five points behind Orlando and one ahead of Elmira. Both clubs have games in hand on the Road Warriors.

WARRIORS' MOST ASSISTS IN A SEASON: With three helpers last week, Vinny Saponari has moved into a tie for third on the Warriors' all-time single season assists list, one point behind second. Anthony Luciani has also reached the top five.

1. Justin Bowers - 59 assists ('11-12)

2. Marc-Olivier Vallerand - 45 assists ('12-13)

3. Jimmy Kilpatrick - 44 assists ('10-11)

3. Vinny Saponari - 44 assists ('14-15)

5. Anthony Luciani - 38 assists ('14-15)

MILESTONES

- Jason Missiaen is one game away from 100 ECHL games played

- Dallas Jackson is one point away from his 100th professional point

- The Warriors are five wins away from their 200th franchise victory

AFFILIATE REPORT

NHL: New York Rangers (46-19-7): Next at Ottawa - Tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET

AHL: Hartford Wolf Pack (34-22-9): Next vs. Providence - Friday, 7:00 p.m. ET

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

Florida Everblades (44-13-7) = 95 points in 64 games Reading Royals (41-17-6) = 88 points in 64 games South Carolina Stingrays (40-18-7) = 87 points in 65 games Orlando Solar Bears (34-22-7) = 75 points in 63 games Greenville Road Warriors (33-28-4) = 70 points in 65 games Elmira Jackals (31-26-7) = 69 points in 64 games Gwinnett Gladiators (17-41-6) = 40 points in 64 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 .

FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT: In a continued effort to prove that Upstate South Carolina is a true hockey community, the Road Warriors will attempt to draw the league's largest crowd of the season to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for "Fan Appreciation Night" presented by Hilton Greenville on Saturday, April 11th. In addition to great ticket deals, all returning groups of 15 or more will qualify to receive an extra discount on group tickets for the game!

The evening will be highlighted by promotions and events that include:

The chance to win a trip for four (4) to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida that includes airfare, hotel accommodations and park passes courtesy of Hilton Greenville.

The chance to win one of the Road Warriors' New York Rangers-style jerseys right off a player's back following the game.

Appearance by the Hanson brothers - Stars of the classic hockey movie, Slapshot.

Special appearance and National Anthem performance by FOX Carolina's Nicole Papay.

A pre-game Fan Fest on the plaza that will include live entertainment performed by the band, Hitmob, interactive games for kids, the chance to meet the Hanson brothers, and food and beverage specials.

The chance to win a VIP experience at the BMW Charity Pro-Am.

Special $10 Lower Level tickets available online via TicketMaster.com and at the Box Office both in advance and on game day.

Special $7.50 pricing on Upper Level tickets available at the Box Office in advance and day of game.

Prizes given away throughout the game.

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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