ROAD WARRIORS SHARP – BLADES DULL 

     VERSUS    

BY: Ray Schmitt, Voice of the Greenville Road Warriors

GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Road Warriors were backed by Jason Missiaen’s second consecutive shutout in a 3-0 win over the Florida Everblades on Friday night at the BI-LO Center. The win improved Greenville to 14-8-0 on the season.

Click here for tonight’s box score

The Road Warriors hosted their second-annual Teddy Bear Toss almost exactly one year to the date after winning a 1-0 heart-stopper on an overtime penalty shot against Gwinnett in 2010. This year it didn’t take nearly as long to let the crowd fire away as Marc-Olivier Vallerand tallied a power play marker at 12:45 of the first period. The goal was set up by Tim Crowder and Justin Bowers at 12:46 and broke a string of 10 consecutive unsuccessful power plays. Crowder was making his home debut for the Road Warriors and notched his first point in a Greenville sweater. Missiaen had nine saves in the period to keep the Road Warriors ahead going into intermission.

Brandon Wong has made a habit of producing points against the Everblades this season (recorded 2G, 3A in four prior games) and continued that trend tonight. When Sam Klassen’s shot from the right point was deflected to the slot, Wong was in the perfect position to collect the puck and set a shot through Pat Nagle’s leg and into the back of the net. Jason Wilson also assisted on the goal as Greenville took a 2-0 lead. The Road Warriors penalty kill played a big role in the second, as well. Florida out-chanced Greenville three to none on the man advantage in the period, but with five saves from Missiaen the Road Warriors held the ‘Blades in check.

With Florida out-chancing Greenville on the power play three to one in the third period it was, again, the goaltending of Missiaen and the Road Warriors’ penalty kill that stole the show. Missiaen made 17 saves in the period, including many from point-blank range with the Everblades bringing heavy pressure on a brief 5-on-3 late in teh period. After the Road Warriors survived the barrage, Wong capped his two-goal night with an empty netter that was set up by Sean Berkstresser.

Missiaen recorded his second consecutive shutout with 31 saves. Greenville was 1-for-3 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.

Mark your calendars! The Road Warriors return home to face the Florida Everblades on Saturday, December 17 at 7:05 p.m. at the BI-LO Center. Come out to help the Road Warriors and South Carolina Foothills Search and Resue find Rowdy the Road Hog. You can save on your tickets by bringing out a group of 10 or more! The Road Warriors offer discounts off the box office price and preferred seating based on availability to groups who book in advance. Call 864-674-PUCK (7825) for more info or to book your group.