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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Warriors Open Three-Game Set with Florida Tonight

March 11, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Date Time Opponent Follow

Wed, Mar. 11th 7:30 p.m. ET @ Florida Free Audio / ECHL.TV / Twitter

THE STORY COMING IN: With just 13 games remaining in the regular season, the Greenville Road Warriors (31-25-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, enter tonight's contest on a three-game slide and just three points ahead of Elmira and Orlando for the final playoff spot in the East Division. Both the Solar Bears and Jackals currently have at least one game in hand on Greenville. Last time out, the Road Warriors received their only goal from defenseman Devon Krogh on the power play in a 3-1 setback to South Carolina this past Sunday at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Tonight, Greenville looks to bounce back on the road with its first win in Estero, Florida this season.

WARRIORS VS. EVERBLADES: Tonight's game marks the seventh of nine meetings between the Warriors and Everblades this season, and the third contest at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. Following a pair of games last weekend in Greenville, the two teams will continue to see a healthy dose of one another this week with three more games in the next four days. Florida took both games from the Warriors last weekend and now leads the season-series 5-1-0, including five straight victories. In their last head-to-head matchup on Saturday, the Warriors fired 32 shots at rookie goaltender Anthony Peters, but the 24-year old, making his pro debut, stopped every one of them in a 4-0 shutout. Greenville continues to pace the all-time series 32-15-7.

VIEW FROM FLORIDA: Winners of four in a row, the Florida Everblades (37-13-6) have moved back into a tie for first place in the East Division with Reading, and still have one game in hand. In their last contest on Sunday, Matt Marquardt and Brant Harris each scored twice in a 7-2 rout of the Gwinnett Gladiators in Duluth, Georgia. Cameron Burt also tallied three points (1g, 2a) as the Everblades' offense notched at least three goals in a game for the eighth consecutive contest. Adam Brace leads Florida with 53 points this season (24g, 29a), while Burt paces all ECHL defenseman with 37 assists. Burt is also tied for first in scoring by a defenseman with 42 points. Fifth-year pro Mitch Wahl leads Florida against Greenville with seven points (all assists) this season.

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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' franchise 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 12 contests and was named runner-up for CCM/ ECHL Player of the Month in February. He and teammate Anthony Luciani are tied for 12th in the ECHL's scoring race (58 points).

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)

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

* Anthony Luciani - 58 points ('14-15)

NEWS AND NOTES: Chris McCarthy has recorded nine points (3g, 6a) in his last seven games...The Warriors are 17-0-0 when leading after two periods...Greenville leads the league with seven wins when trailing after two periods (7-21-2) and 10 wins when going beyond regulation this season (10-3).

TRADE DEADLINE DRAMA: With the ECHL trade deadline just one day away, the Warriors have already made a pair of big-time swaps this week to strengthen their scoring punch down the stretch. On Monday, Greenville acquired power forward Thomas Frazee from Evansville in exchange for Spencer Humphries. Frazee notched 10 points (3g, 7a) in just 16 games with the IceMen after being dealt from Fort Wayne in January. He scored the game-winning goal in his last contest with Evansville on March 8th against Wheeling. The Road Warriors also gained scoring threat Anthony Luciani from Gwinnett for Scott Arnold on Tuesday. Luciani led Toledo in scoring this season with 58 points (21g, 37a) and earned a +18 rating in 52 games. He produced a career-high five points (2g, 3a) in a 12-0 dismantling of Gwinnett on February 22nd.

MILESTONES

- Dallas Jackson is four points away from 100 professional points

- Michael St. Croix is one game away from 100 ECHL games played

AFFILIATE REPORT

NHL: New York Rangers (41-17-7): Next at Washington - Tonight, 8:00 p.m. ET

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

EAST DIVISION STANDINGS

Florida Everblades (34-13-6) = 80 points in 56 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 (31-25-3) = 65 points in 59 games

Orlando Solar Bears (28-21-6) = 62 points in 55 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.

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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