Road Warriors Return Home to Face Solar Bears Tonight
Published on December 4, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
Date Time Opponent Follow
Thurs, Dec. 4th 7:00 pm EST vs. Orlando Free Audio / ECHL.TV
Fri, Dec. 5th 7:00 pm EST vs. Orlando Free Audio / ECHL.TV
THE STORY COMING IN : The Road Warriors return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tonight for the first time since Nov. 14th following a season-long eight-game road trip. The journey concluded last Saturday when Greenville exploded for a season-high eight goals in an 8-3 rout of Reading. Five of those tallies came within a span of just 7:10 in the second period, which also marked the most goals scored for the team in a period this season. Shawn O'Donnell (2g, 2a), Tyler Brown (2g) and Trevor Parkes (2g) each scored twice, while Paul Rodrigues set a career-best with four points (1g, 3a). Greenville enters tonight's game with the league's best winning percentage at home (.800), despite playing just five home games so far - tied with Ontario for the fewest in the league at this point in the season.
WARRIORS VS. ORLANDO : Tonight's contest marks the fifth of 10 meetings between Greenville and Orlando this season (six in Florida, four in South Carolina). Through the first four games, the series is dead even 2-2-0-0 after the Road Warriors swept a two-game series in Orlando Nov. 8-9th. In their last battle, Jeff Malcolm made a season-high 45 saves, while Kyle Jean (1g, 1a) and Josh Nicholls (1g, 1a) each earned two points in a 2-1 victory on Nov. 9th. The Road Warriors are 9-10-1 all-time against the Solar Bears.
VIEW FROM ORLANDO : The Solar Bears continue a mammoth 13-game road trip tonight, which began Nov. 11th and runs through tomorrow, Dec. 5th. The team is 8-3-0 on the trip so far, including a 3-1 victory at Kalamazoo in their last contest on Sunday. Goaltender Kent Patterson made 25 saves for his fourth win this season, while forward Greg Miller recorded an assist and extended his point streak to 13 games (11g, 12a, 23pts since Nov. 8th), the longest current streak in the league. Miller was also named the CCM ECHL Player of the Month for November.
MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE : Jeff Malcolm has won nine of his last 12 starts and is now sixth in the league with a 2.23 goals against average (GAA) overall. In addition, Malcolm has posted a 2.00 GAA and .945 save percentage over his last 12 games. Even more impressive, the 25-year old is undefeated at home (4-0-0) with a 1.47 GAA, .945 save percentage and one shutout this season.
SAPONARI HEATING UP : Vinny Saponari has scored in four of his last six contests (4g) and now leads the team with seven tallies on the season. Last year, Saponari earned a career-best 15 goals, 18 assists and 33 points in 58 games with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. Saponari was drafted in the fourth round (#94 overall) by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
"PLUS" THERE'S MORE... : Shawn O'Donnell set a career-best and an ECHL season-high last Saturday when he recorded a +6 rating against Reading. Overall, 10 Greenville skaters wound up with a plus rating in that contest, which puts nine players on the Warriors' roster in the positive range this season. Sean Escobedo led the team with a +9 rating during November.
COMEBACK KIDS : More than half of Greenville's wins this season have come when trailing at some point in the contest (6-of-11). Much of that success is due to a potent third-period offense that has outscored opponents 27-18, including 13-7 following the 10-minute mark. The Warriors also boast a league-best four wins when trailing after two periods (4-8-0).
POWER PLAY STRUGGLES : The Warriors enter tonight's game 0-for-22 on the power play in their last eight contests and have not scored on the man advantage since going 2-for-8 against Gwinnett on Nov. 14th. Overall, the power play has been crucial to the team's success this season as the Road Warriors are 6-0-0 when scoring at least once with the man advantage, but 5-9-0 when failing to score on the power play.
JEAN'S RETURN : The Road Warriors welcome forward Kyle Jean back to the lineup tonight after an eight-game stint in the American Hockey League with the Charlotte Checkers. Jean was signed to a PTO on Nov. 10th and earned two assists with the Checkers during that span. Earlier this season, the 24-year old notched six goals and four assists in 10 games for Greenville. Jean is one of eight Warriors from this season to appear in an AHL contest, joining Chad Nehring, Josh Nicholls, Mackenzie Skapski, Chris McCarthy, Dallas Jackson, Steve Spinell and Michael Kantor.
HOME STREAKS
Ryan Hegarty is on a two-game goal streak at home
Jeff Malcolm has won four straight games at home
The Road Warriors are on a two-game win streak at home
INJURIES
- Mike Banwell is on the 21-day IR as of 10/22
- Devon Krogh is on the 21-day IR as of 11/1
AFFILIATE REPORT
NHL: New York Rangers (11-9-4): Next at Detroit Red Wings - Saturday
AHL: Hartford Wolf Pack (11-8-2): Next at Syracuse Crunch - Friday
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.
Teddy Bear Toss ( VIDEO ): Tomorrow (Dec. 5th) is the annual "Teddy Bear Toss" benefiting Toys for Tots! All fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to the game to throw onto the ice after the Road Warriors score their first goal. All stuffed animals will be collected and donated to Toys for Tots. December 5th is also the Warriors annual "Sing for Santa" game Enjoy school choirs performing holiday favorites during the first intermission as the Road Warriors battle Orlando at 7:00 p.m. The popular Warrior Fun Pack is also available for the December 5th game. For just $60 fans can receive four (4) tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) soft drinks and two (2) Warriors drawstring bags! Visit GreenvilleRoadWarriors.com for more information or to purchase the Warrior Fun Pack.
TONIGHT: The Road Warriors are offering a $5 ticket special at the Box Office while supplies last! It's also Thirsty Thursday featuring $2 domestic beers, hot dogs, fountain drinks and pretzels! For tickets or more information, please call a Road Warriors Account Executive at 864-674-PUCK or visit GreenvilleRoadWarriors.com/tickets-overview.html !
ECHL Stories from December 4, 2014
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