Rookies Impress in 5-0 Exhibition Victory
October 9, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
North Charleston, S.C. - First-year forwards Tayler Thompson, Andrew Dommett and Devin Gannon each scored on Friday as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, opened their preseason slate with a 5-0 victory over the South Carolina Stingrays at the Carolina Ice Palace. Rookie goaltenders P.J. Musico and Alex Vazzano also combined for a 20-save shutout in the first exhibition game.
Thompson (2g), Gannon (1g, 1a), Paul Rodrigues (1g, 1a) and Domenic Alberga (2a) each earned a multi-point game.
Greenville took command early when Rodrigues and Alberga teamed up to beat Stingrays netminder Mark Dekanich at 5:22 of the first period. In the South Carolina zone, Alberga collected a giveaway and nudged the puck to Rodrigues in front for a quick shot and a 1-0 lead.
Thompson extended the Swamp Rabbits' advantage with two goals in a span of 3:25 in the second period to make it 3-0. At the 2:26 mark, the rookie forward sniped a shot over Dekanich's blocker following a feed from Davis Vandane. Thompson continued his hot streak at the 5:51 mark when the puck took an unusual redirection off of his body and bounced into the net. Gannon and Nick McParland secured the assists.
Dommett made it 4-0 just 1:39 into the third frame on a rebound chance from the doorstep. He finished off an extended attack that included pressure from Rodrigues and Alberga.
Gannon capped the scoring with his first goal of the preseason at 18:35 of the third. Tyler Elbrecht and Jordan Ciccarello each registered an assist.
Following 60 minutes of regulation, both teams stayed on the ice for a trial run at the ECHL's new 3-on-3 overtime format. The only tally of the fast-paced, five-minute frame was scored by South Carolina's Austin Fyten.
The Swamp Rabbits finished the contest 0-for-5 on the power play and a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Musico (1-0-0) earned the victory in net with nine saves on nine shots in 32:46 of playing time, while Vazzano stopped all 11 chances he faced in 27:14.
Greenville outshot South Carolina 24-20.
The Swamp Rabbits conclude their two-game preseason slate on Sunday with a 5:05 p.m. puck drop against the Atlanta Gladiators at the Duluth Ice Forum. Fans can follow all of the action on the team's official Twitter page (@SwampRabbits).
Ticket plans for the inaugural season of the Swamp Rabbits' era are available now and start as low as $81! Call an Account Executive today at 864-674-PUCK to secure your seats! The Swamp Rabbits open the home portion of the 2015-16 season on Friday, October 23 with a 7:00 p.m. puck drop against the South Carolina Stingrays. Opening Night tickets start at just $10 and the first 2,000 fans will receive a special edition Swamp Rabbits car magnet.
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