ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Warriors Edge Elmira for 3-2 Shootout Win on Sunday

January 4, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Greenville, SC - Tyler Brown scored the game-tying goal with less than three minutes left in regulation and Garrett Bartus made six saves in an eight-round shootout on Sunday as the Greenville Road Warriors (21-12-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, earned a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Elmira Jackals (17-13-4) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

With the victory, Greenville continues to hold the second position in the East Division standings, four points behind Florida. The Road Warriors also improved to 10-4-0 at SANDLAPPER Securities Rink this season.

Bartus (2-0-0), in his regular-season Warriors' debut, made 32 saves in regulation for the victory.

Elmira opened the scoring at 13:28 of the first period when Matt Tassone produced his team-leading 14th goal of the season from Nick Tuzzolino and Thomas Nesbitt. From the left point, Tuzzolino wristed a shot on target that was blocked in front, but redirected to Tassone at the hash marks for a turnaround shot past Bartus.

The Road Warriors evened the game at 4:52 of the second period when Emerson Clark used his speed to get behind the Jackals' defense. Clark began the play in the neutral zone and raced ahead before he found himself on a breakaway. As he neared the blue paint, Clark went backhand-to-forehand to beat goaltender Travis Fullerton for his 11th goal of the season.

Elmira's Colin Jacob's made it 2-1 at the 11:42 mark of the third period with his fourth goal of the season from Mitch Holmberg and Justin Daniels. From behind the net, Holmberg played the puck to Jacobs in front, who ripped a low one-timer past Bartus.

Greenville responded in the final minutes of regulation when Brown notched his team-leading 12th goal of the season. From the right side, Trevor Parkes muscled his way to the front of the cage and took a backhand shot that was answered by Fullerton, but the rebound popped loose. Saponari followed with a quick wrister that was deflected into the air before Brown pushed it home at the far post for his fourth goal in the last two games at the 17:07 mark.

Following a scoreless overtime session, Saponari, Brown and Michael St. Croix each scored for Greenville in the ensuing shootout. Jacobs and Tuzzolino notched the shootout goals for Elmira.

Greenville finished the game 0-for-5 on the power play and a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Fullerton (10-4-3) made 32 stops in regulation and an additional five saves in the shootout, but suffered the loss.

The Road Warriors outshot Elmira 35-31.

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 begin another three-game weekend series on Friday when they welcome the Fort Wayne Komets to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena at 7:00 p.m. for the first time this season. Fans are encouraged to join the Road Warriors as we salute the members of the U.S. Military as well as local police officers, firefighters and first responders. Greenville will also sport special "Warrior Appreciation" jerseys that will be auctioned off following the contest. In addition, the popular "Warrior Fun Packs" return, featuring (4) red level tickets, (4) hot dogs, (4) bags of chips, (4) small fountain drinks and (2) drawstring bags for just $60! 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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