ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Road Warriors Score Eight in Victory over 'Blades

Published on December 21, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Estero, FL : Justin Vaive scored his first career hat trick in route to an 8-4 victory against the Florida Everblades on Saturday night.

Just 5:49 into the game, Michael St. Croix began the scoring as he deflected a Mike Marcou shot to give the Road Warriors a quick 1-0 start. The goal was the rookie's fifth of the year. Scott Stajcer played strong in the first period rejecting all eight Everblades' shots. With three minutes left in the frame, Vaive waited out goaltender Trevor Cann for a backhanded goal to give the Road Warriors a 2-0 lead. The shot from Vaive was the first in over eight minutes for Greenville. With just 21 seconds left, Marc-Olivier Vallerand scored his sixth of the year on a breakaway to give the Road Warriors a 3-0 lead heading into the second period. Marcou tallied his second assist on the goal.

Both teams erupted for two goals apiece in the second period. With 7:50 into the frame, Tony DeHart scored a shorthanded goal on a rebound opportunity for his first of the season. The goal brought the Road Warriors lead to a 3-1 score. Shortly after the goal, the Warriors remained relentless on the attack and caught the Everblades' defense out for an extensive shift. Justin Vaive tallied his second goal of the game with a shot in the slot to regain the Warriors' three goal lead. St. Croix would also score his second of the game with a wrist shot beating Cann on his blocker side. In the closing two seconds, Olivier Dame-Malka blistered a slap shot from the neutral zone that Scott Stajcer initially saved. The puck bounced off his blocker, over his head, and into the net. Greenville contained a 5-2 lead heading into the third.

Florida's offense awoke in the third period with two goals to bring the game within one. Matthew Pistilli scored on a goal that rung off the post and into the net. Mathieu Roy scored his 11th of the year to bring the game to a 5-4 Road Warriors lead. Josh Nicholls would take the heat off Greenville with a pass to Sean Berkstresser who buried his third of the year with six minutes left. Vaive followed up his own rebound to collect his first career hat trick. Brayden Irwin finished the scoring with an empty netter to give the Road Warriors an 8-4 win. Stajcer made 31 saves to improve to a 3-3-0 record.

The Road Warriors finish the three-game set tomorrow in Orlando against the Solar Bears at 7 p.m. Fans can listen to the game by clicking the listen live link on the Road Warriors homepage or by watching via America One.

The 25 Days of Savings continues! Save over 25% off Game Day pricing by purchasing a Blue Level flex pack for only $141! Road Warriors flex packs include 12 ticket vouchers that can be exchanged for any regular season home game. This limited time offer (expires 12/31/13) enables fans to secure some of the best seats in the house at a deep discount.

The Holiday Hat Trick is now available! Get four flex tickets good for any regular season game, two tickets to the Road Warriors January 17th game, and two Road Warriors Hats and save up to 44% off game day prices!

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ECHL Stories from December 21, 2013


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