The Weekly Warrior
December 23, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
Recap of the Week
The Road Warriors began the weekend with a roaring start against the Florida Everblades. Five players scored two points in the 4-1 win for Greenville. Andrew Rowe, Brad Cole and Marc-Olivier Vallerand collected two assists in the game. Justin Vaive scored a goal and an assist and Jordie Johnston tallied two goals, including the game-winner. Connor Knapp made 30 saves enroute to the victory.
The Road Warriors finished off a two-game series against the Everblades on Saturday. The Road Warriors rejuvenated offense continued as the team posted a season-high eight goals in an 8-4 victory. Justin Vaive scored his first career hat trick and Michael St. Croix potted two goals to lead the way for the Warriors. Andrew Rowe, Jordie Johnston, and Mike Marcou contributed with two assists a piece . Brayden Irwin collected three points with a goal and two assists against his former team. Vallerand also turned in a multi-point effort with one goal and one assist. Scott Stajcer made 31 saves and improved to 3-3-0 with the win.
The weekend concluded on Sunday with an evening game against the Orlando Solar Bears. With the Warriors playing their third game in as many days and Orlando coming off of a week's worth of rest, the Solar Bears held a 2-0 lead into the late stages of the second period. However, Greenville scored three unanswered goals, including two in the third period to earn the victory and take all six points on the road trip. The first goal was scored by Brayden Irwin on a wrist shot in the high slot. The goal marked the third consecutive game Irwin has scored. Mike Marcou continued to contribute offensively and scored to tie the game at two. Marc-Olivier Vallerand assisted on the goal extending his point streak to six games. The game winning goal was posted by Andrew Rowe who scored on a rebound off of a shot from Irwin. Justin Vaive also collected an assist on the goal to drive his point streak to six games. Connor Knapp made 28 saves in the 3-2 victory and earned his second win of the road trip.
Week Ahead
After the Christmas break, the Road Warriors face-off against the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday, December 27th at 7:00 p.m. for Star Wars Night presented by HOT 98.1 and FOX Carolina! The Warriors obtained are 2-1-0 in the past three games against the Eastern Conference's best squad. The first 1,000 fans at the game will receive a free Road Warriors light saber as a part of the Star Wars Night festivities! Before the game come out to ABC Party Rentals' Warriors Fan Fest. Enjoy the free Kids Entertainment Zone, live entertainment as well as 2 for 1 beers and a $5 Jambalaya bread bowl! The Warriors Fan Fest starts at 5:00 p.m. on the plaza.
On Saturday, the Road Warriors welcome in the Elmira Jackals for a 7 p.m. puck drop. The teams have faced each other just once this season with Elmira knocking off the Road Warriors by a 3-0 score. The first 1,000 fans 12 and under receive a free NY Rangers themed Road Warriors youth replica jersey presented by Century BMW, HOT 98.1, and Seven on Your Side.
The weekend concludes with a Sunday afternoon game against the Jackals at 3 p.m. Sunday is Family Fun Day with the Warriors! Kid's meals are only $5 and BI-LO shoppers can use their Bonus Cards to get up to four free tickets in the BI-LO Family Fun Section while supplies last (a $52 vaule). Fans will also have the opportunity to skate with the players after the game!
Streaks and Stats
Marc-Olivier Vallerand is in the midst of a six-game point scoring streak (3G, 3A).
Connor Knapp ranks second in the ECHL with a .936 save percentage.
Greenville outscored its opponents 15-7 in this past weekend's three victories.
Justin Vaive is also in the midst of a six-game point scoring streak.
The Road Warriors have not allowed a power play goal since December 8th. (18/18)
Greenville is third in the ECHL with an average of 32.25 shots per game.
Transactions
The Road Warriors released goaltender Kyle Rank on Tuesday. In a separate transaction the New York Rangers assigned forward Josh Nicholls to the Road Warriors.
Today the Road Warriors announced defenseman Samuel Noreau was recalled to the Hartford Wolf Pack by the New York Rangers. Noreau, a 6'5'', 225-pound rookie out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, was scoreless with a +1 rating and 38 penalty minutes in 23 games with the Road Warriors.
ECHL Stories from December 23, 2013
- All-Star Jersey Design Winner Selected - Orlando Solar Bears
- Wheeling Nailers Weekly Report - Wheeling Nailers
- ECHL Transactions - December 23 - ECHL
- Kids in Free, Thor & Skate with the Condors - Bakersfield Condors
- The Weekly Warrior - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Condors Weekly: Climbing the Standings with Wins in Idaho - Bakersfield Condors
- Gladiators Holiday Weekly - Atlanta Gladiators
- Road Warriors Give Back to Community with Holiday Spirit - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Road Warriors shine on road trip - ECHL
- Have a Slappy New Year with the K-Wings - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Weekly - Kalamazoo Wings
- Cyclones, Cincinnati Police Department Partner for Annual Teddy Bear Toss - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Komets Busy Holiday Schedule Begins Friday; Walleye Visit Friday, Gladiators Invade Sunday - Fort Wayne Komets
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