ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Road Warriors Weekly

March 24, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECAP

Overall Picture: The Greenville Road Warriors (33-28-4), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, earned two victories in a trio of home games last week, but remain three points out of a playoff spot with seven contests left in the regular season.

The week started strong on Thursday when Greenville put together a solid, all-around performance in a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Cyclones. Anthony Luciani led the attack with three points (2g, 1a), while Michael St. Croix (1g, 1a), Thomas Frazee (1g, 1a), Josh Nicholls (1g, 1a) and Vinny Saponari (2a) each produced multi-point efforts. The Road Warriors' offense also produced 46 shots, the most since January 24th at Orlando, as Greenville snapped a six-game skid.

Just 24 hours later, the Warriors completed a four-game series sweep of Cincinnati with a 4-1 victory at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Greenville's effort on special teams was a key factor, finishing the game 2-for-7 on the power play and a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. Sam Noreau led the offense with three points (3a), while Emerson Clark, Dallas Jackson, Andrew Himelson and Nicholls each scored for Greenville. The Road Warriors finished the season-series 4-0-0 against Cincinnati.

Greenville entered the weekend finale on Saturday with high hopes of a three-game sweep, but could not find an answer for the Indy Fuel and suffered a 6-1 setback. Kyle Stroh led the way with two goals for Indy, while St. Croix recorded Greenville's only tally.

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Thursday, March 26th vs. Orlando (33-22-7), 7:00 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 28th at Gwinnett (17-40-6), 7:05 p.m. ET

QUICK SHIFTS

Playoff Picture: Prior to this season, the ECHL Board of Governors announced changes to its Kelly Cup Playoff format for the 2014-15 campaign. Unlike the past several years, this season's format will include the top four teams from each division, rather than the top eight in each conference. The Road Warriors are fifth in the East Division, just three points behind Orlando and one point ahead of Elmira with seven contests remaining in the regular season. Both Elmira (two) and Orlando (three) have games in hand on Greenville. Florida and Reading have each clinched a playoff berth, while South Carolina's magic number is three. The Road Warriors have made the post-season in each of their first four years in the Upstate.

Feeling "Well": After playing 20 of its first 28 games on the road this season, Greenville will benefit down the stretch with five of the team's final seven games taking place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. In addition, the only two road games during that stretch will occur just two hours away in Duluth, Georgia against the Gwinnett Gladiators. The Road Warriors are currently 18-13-0 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink this season.

Shots from the Point: Anthony Luciani and Vinny Saponari are tied for 12th in the league's scoring race with 62 points... Saponari is also tied for fourth in assists (44)... Michael St. Croix is on a three-game point streak (2g, 2a)... Jason Missiaen is one game from his 100th ECHL appearance, while Dallas Jackson is one point from his 100th professional point... Thomas Frazee has five points (2g, 3a) in six games since joining the Warriors on March 9th... Greenville is 19-0-0 when leading after two periods and 11-6-2 against teams they will face through the end of the regular season.

Road Warriors' All-Time Single Season Points

Justin Bowers ('11-12) - 78 points Marc-Olivier Vallerand ('12-13) - 67 points Andrew Rowe ('13-14) - 66 points Jimmy Kilpatrick ('10-11) - 63 points Vinny Saponari ('14-15) - 62 points Anthony Luciani ('14-15) - 62 points

Road Warriors' All-Time Single Season Assists

Justin Bowers ('11-12) - 59 assists Marc-Olivier Vallerand ('12-13) - 45 assists Jimmy Kilpatrick ('10-11) - 44 assists Vinny Saponari ('14-15) - 44 assists Anthony Luciani ('14-15) - 38 assists

East Division Standings

Florida Everblades (43-13-7) = 93 points in 63 games Reading Royals (41-16-6) = 88 points in 63 games South Carolina Stingrays (39-18-7) = 85 points in 64 games Orlando Solar Bears (33-22-7) = 73 points in 62 games Greenville Road Warriors (33-28-4) = 70 points in 65 games Elmira Jackals (31-25-7) = 69 points in 63 games Gwinnett Gladiators (17-40-6) = 40 points in 63 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.

Thirsty Thursday: The Road Warriors return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday, March 26th with a critical battle against the Orlando Solar Bears. The 7:00 p.m. contest will 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 26th.

Fan Appreciation Night: In a continued effort to prove that Upstate South Carolina is a true hockey community, the Road Warriors will attempt to draw the league's largest crowd of the season to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for "Fan Appreciation Night" presented by Hilton Greenville on Saturday, April 11th. In addition to great ticket deals, all returning groups of 15 or more will qualify to receive an extra discount on group tickets for the game!

The evening will be highlighted by promotions and events that include:

The chance to win a trip for four (4) to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida that includes airfare, hotel accommodations and park passes courtesy of Hilton Greenville.

The chance to win one of the Road Warriors' New York Rangers-style jerseys right off a player's back following the game.

Appearance by the Hanson brothers - Stars of the classic hockey movie, Slapshot.

Special appearance and National Anthem performance by FOX Carolina's Nicole Papay.

A pre-game Fan Fest on the plaza that will include live entertainment performed by the band, Hitmob, interactive games for kids, the chance to meet the Hanson brothers, and food and beverage specials.

The chance to win a VIP experience at the BMW Charity Pro-Am.

Special $10 Lower Level tickets available online via TicketMaster.com and at the Box Office both in advance and on game day.

Special $7.50 pricing on Upper Level tickets available at the Box Office in advance and day of game.

Prizes given away throughout the game.

For tickets or more information, please call a Road Warriors Account Executive at 864-674-PUCK or visit GreenvilleRoadWarriors.com/tickets-overview.html . F ans can listen or watch every game live via ECHL.TV .

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 24, 2015


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