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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Four Points on the Line this Weekend in Florida

March 13, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN: The Greenville Road Warriors (31-25-4), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, enter tonight's contest on a four-game slide, but continue to hold the final playoff spot in the East Division, just three points ahead of fifth-place Orlando. Last time out, the Warriors rebounded from an early two-goal deficit to force overtime against Florida on Wednesday, but the 'Blades topped Greenville in a four-round shootout to earn a 3-2 decision. Ryan Hegarty and Anthony Luciani, in his Road Warriors' debut, each scored for Greenville, while Jason Missiaen stopped 27 shots in regulation and two more in the shootout. After today, just 11 games remain in the 2014-15 regular season.

WARRIORS VS. EVERBLADES: Tonight's game will mark the eighth of nine meetings between the Warriors and Everblades this season, and the fourth at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. Tonight's contest will also be the fourth matchup between the East Division rivals in the last seven days overall. Following the 'Blades 3-2 shootout victory on Wednesday, Florida has won six consecutive meetings and leads the season-series 6-1-0. Vinny Saponari paces the Warriors' active roster against Florida this season with six points (2g, 4a) in seven games. Greenville continues to lead the all-time series 32-16-7.

VIEW FROM FLORIDA: Winners of five straight, the Everblades have passed Reading in the standings and have returned to the top of the East Division by a pair of points. In fact, Florida has also worked its way past Fort Wayne and currently leads the entire Eastern Conference with 82 points this season. Much of that success is due to a lethal offense that has scored three or more goals in nine straight games. Adam Brace leads the 'Blades with 54 points (25g, 29a), including a goal on Wednesday, while Cameron Burt paces all ECHL defenseman with 36 assists. Mike Little leads all defenseman in scoring with 43 points and is third in the league overall with a +29 rating.

SAPONARI EXTENDS RECORD: In his first season with the Road Warriors, Vinny Saponari has already made his mark in the team's record book. Last week, the 25-year old set a new career high and Road Warriors' record for longest assist streak in its five-year history (10 games). In addition, Saponari's 41 helpers this season are the fourth-most in a single season for the club. Jimmy Kilpatrick ('10-11) is the next to be overtaken for third (44 assists). Overall, Saponari has 23 points (6g, 17a) in his last 13 contests and was named runner-up for CCM/ECHL Player of the Month in February. He's currently 13th in ECHL scoring this season, while teammate Anthony Luciani is one position better in 12th.

WARRIORS' MOST POINTS IN A SEASON

Saponari and Luciani are also nearing the Top 5 on Greenville's all-time list for points in a single season:

4. Jimmy Kilpatrick - 63 points ('10-11)

5. Brandon Wong - 61 points ('11-12)

*Anthony Luciani - 59 points ('14-15)

* Vinny Saponari - 58 points ('14-15)

TRUE TO THEIR NAME: Greenville concludes its final multi-game road trip of the regular season this weekend with a pair of games in Estero, Florida. The Road Warriors are 15-13-4 away from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and unbeaten in regulation in three straight road games, dating back to Feb. 27th at Reading. Forward Michael St. Croix is also currently on a three-game point streak on the road, while Vinny Saponari has 13 points (2g, 11a) in his last eight games away from SANDLAPPER Securities Rink.

DRAMA AT THE DEADLINE: As the ECHL trade deadline passed on Thursday, Greenville took advantage in the days prior with a pair of big-time swaps in order to strengthen the team's scoring punch down the stretch. On Monday, the Warriors acquired power forward Thomas Frazee from the Evansville IceMen for Spencer Humphries. Frazee notched 10 points (3g, 7a) in just 16 games with the IceMen after being dealt from Fort Wayne in January. The Warriors also gained scoring threat Anthony Luciani from Gwinnett for Scott Arnold on Tuesday. Luciani led Toledo this season with 58 points (21g, 37a) in 52 games and earned a +18 rating during that span. Both players debuted with the club on Wednesday against Florida.

MILESTONES

- Dallas Jackson is four points away from 100 professional points

- Andrew Himelson is seven games away from his 100th professional contest

AFFILIATE REPORT

NHL: New York Rangers (42-17-7): Next at Buffalo - Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET

AHL: Hartford Wolf Pack (30-21-8): Next vs. Springfield - 7:00 p.m. ET

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

Florida Everblades (38-13-6) = 82 points in 57 games

Reading Royals (38-15-4) = 80 points in 57 games

South Carolina Stingrays (34-18-7) = 75 points in 59 games

Greenville Road Warriors (31-25-4) = 66 points in 60 games

Orlando Solar Bears (28-21-7) = 63 points in 56 games

Elmira Jackals (28-24-6) = 62 points in 58 games

Gwinnett Gladiators (17-36-5) = 39 points in 58 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.

The Road Warriors return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday, March 19th to take on the Cincinnati Cyclones for "CDS Night" presented by SANDLAPPER Securities. Fans can purchase special tickets for the game with a portion of the proceeds donated to The Center for Developmental Services by visiting GreenvilleRoadWarriors.com/CDS.

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The 7:00 p.m. contest will also feature $2 food and beverage specials as well as special $5 tickets available at the Box Office while supplies last. 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. on March 19th.

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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