ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Warriors Clash with Stingrays in Final Game of 2014

December 30, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Date Time Opponent Follow

Tues, Dec. 30th 7:00 p.m. ET vs. South Carolina Free Audio / ECHL.TV

THE STORY COMING IN: The Greenville Road Warriors (19-10-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, enter tonight's contest in second place in the East Division, just two points behind Florida, and winners of five of their last six games overall. Greenville is an impressive 9-1-1 in its last 11 contests, which included the team's first 10-game point streak since 2010. In their last game, the Road Warriors recorded a season-high 43 shots against Gwinnett on Saturday, but goaltender Adam Brown stopped 41 of those chances en route to a 3-2 Gladiators' victory in Greenville. The setback snapped the Road Warriors' five-game win streak and was the first loss at home this season for Jeff Malcolm (6-1-0), who made 36 saves in the game. Tonight, Greenville looks to pull back even with Florida for the top spot in the division. Florida is also in action tonight facing Gwinnett on the road.

WARRIORS ADD GOALTENDER: The Road Warriors announced today that the team has signed goaltender Max Strang to a contract. The 24-year old has been stellar in the Southern Professional Hockey League this season, posting a 13-2-3 record, 2.03 goals against average and .932 save percentage in 18 games with the Pensacola Ice Flyers. Last season, Strang spent 11 games in the ECHL between Fort Wayne (4gp) and South Carolina (7gp), where he combined to go 3-2-4 with a 2.99 goals against average. The Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania native also played 23 games with the SPHL's Bloomington Thunder and notched a record of 9-13-1 with a 3.34 goals against average and .909 save percentage. The second-year pro spent five seasons at Mercyhurst College from 2008-2013.

HOME SWEET HOME: After playing 20 of its first 28 games on the road, Greenville continues a season-long, 12-game home stand tonight, which runs through Jan. 17th. The Road Warriors are 8-2-0 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink so far this season, which marks the third-best record at home for any team in the league - trailing only Florida (9-1-1) and Allen (10-2-1). Greenville has also outscored its opponents 35-22 at home this season and has won six of its last seven games at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

WARRIORS VS. STINGRAYS: Tonight's game marks the eighth of 14 meetings between the in-state rivals this season (eight in Greenville, six in North Charleston). Through the first seven games, the Stingrays lead the season-series 4-3-0, including a 2-1 shootout victory in the last meeting between the teams on Dec. 13th in North Charleston. In fact, South Carolina has won each of the last four meetings between the two clubs after the Warriors began the season 3-0-0 against the "˜Rays. Greenville leads the all-time series 37-30-3.

VIEW FROM CHARLESTON: After beginning the season just 4-9-4 through the first 17 games, the Stingrays have caught fire and enter tonight's contest on a three-game win streak and a season-best, seven-game point streak (6-0-1). In addition, South Carolina is an astounding 11-1-1 over its last 13 games, dating back to Nov. 27th, and has catapulted to fourth place in the East Division, just four points behind Greenville. Last time out, forward Cody Sylvester scored a pair of goals while netminder Adam Morrison stopped 21 of 22 shots to lead the Stingrays to a 5-1 win over Wheeling on Sunday. Tonight, the "˜Rays return to the road following a four-game home stand. South Carolina leads the league in penalty killing on the road (92.5%), allowing just three goals against in 11 games this season.

DECEMBER TO REMEMBER: Despite Saturday's 3-2 loss to Gwinnett, the Road Warriors are enjoying one of their most successful months in team history. Greenville is currently 8-1-1 this month with just one game remaining, which equals the team's best December performance in franchise history (the Road Warriors also started the month 8-1-1 during the 2010-11 season). Greenville has outscored its opponents 33-17 this month.

SAPONARI NOTE : Forward Vinny Saponari continues to impress in his first season with the Warriors, leading the club in both points (23) and assists (15), and moving up to third on the squad with a +16 rating. In fact, the 24-year old is currently on a four-game point streak and has earned at least one point in eight of his last nine contests overall (2g, 13a). Saponari also leads the Warriors with six multi-point games this season after recording two assists in each of the games played last weekend.

KEEPING PERFECT: The Road Warriors are 10-0-0 when leading after one period, 12-0-0 when leading after two periods and 16-0-0 when scoring at least three goals in a contest. Greenville is also a perfect 6-0-0 when the same goaltender plays back-to-back days.

SHUTDOWN DEFENSE: The Road Warriors have held their opposition to two goals or less in eight of their last 10 games. With that success on the back line, Greenville now leads the league in goals against per game (2.53/game).

INJURIES

- Scott Arnold is on the 21-day IR as of 11/27

- Devon Krogh is on the 21-day IR as of 11/1

AFFILIATE REPORT

NHL: New York Rangers (19-11-4): Next at Florida Panthers - Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.

AHL: Hartford Wolf Pack (17-10-4): Next at Portland Pirates - Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

Florida Everblades (20-4-1) = 41 points in 25 games Greenville Road Warriors (19-10-1) = 39 points in 30 games Reading Royals (17-9-2) = 36 points in 28 games South Carolina (15-10-5) = 35 points in 30 games Elmira Jackals (15-12-3) = 33 points in 30 games Orlando Solar Bears (15-13-3) = 33 points in 31 games Gwinnett Gladiators (9-17-1) = 19 points in 27 games

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics



ECHL Stories from December 30, 2014


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