Combs' Hat Trick Propels Swamp Rabbits Past Royals
November 27, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
Reading, PA - Jack Combs scored a hat trick on Friday as part of a four-point performance to lead the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (8-9-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, to a 6-3 victory over the Reading Royals (8-8-0) at Santander Arena. Rob Kwiet and Vinny Saponari also boasted a season-best three-point effort, while P.J. Musico (3-1-0) made 17 saves for his second straight victory.
With the win, the Swamp Rabbits collected their first two-game winning streak on the road this season and handed Reading its fourth consecutive loss. Combs' hat trick was Greenville's first since January 17, 2015 against Toledo.
Greenville has now outscored its opponents 12-3 in the last two games.
The opening frame was a back-and-forth deadlock that saw each team net two goals before the end of 20 minutes. Michael Kantor kicked off the scoring just 2:49 into the contest with his third tally in the last two games when he redirected Kwiet's shot from the blue line past former Greenville goaltender Adam Morrison. Scott Fleming also tipped the puck and recorded a helper.
Reading responded at the 11:29 mark when rookie forward Justin Crandall notched his sixth goal of the season on a 2-on-0 breakaway. Less than a minute later, Combs regained the Swamp Rabbits' advantage when Saponari guided a pass to the veteran at the left post, where Combs adjusted and beat Morrison for his seventh goal of the year.
Mike Pereira leveled the score at 2-2 with the first of Reading's two shorthanded goals in the contest at 14:39 of the first period. After Adam Comrie was called for a four-minute double minor for high sticking, Pereira led a speedy attack into Greenville territory, side-stepped Sean Escobedo in the slot and pushed a backhand shot through Musico's five-hole for the goal.
The Swamp Rabbits retook the lead in the middle frame and added insurance with a pair of tallies from Combs and Darian Dziurzynski. At the 2:57 mark, Troy Donnay fired a line drive from the right point that was tipped by Saponari and Combs before beating Morrison glove side. Dziurzynski made it 4-2 at the 10:51 mark with his first goal with the Swamp Rabbits. From the right wing, Combs collected the puck and slipped a feed to the back post where Dziurzysnki reached out his blade and poked it past Morrison's blocker.
Greenville continued to add to its advantage in the third period, beginning with Bretton Cameron's sixth goal of the season just 2:10 into the final frame. At even strength, Richard Nejezchleb found Kwiet on the perimeter for a shot that bounced off the end wall and to the side of the cage, where Cameron fished it to the blue paint and finished to make it 5-2. Combs completed his three-goal performance at 4:35 on the power play following a five-minute major and game misconduct to Todd Perry for cross-checking. Nine seconds off the ensuing faceoff, Combs walked to the bottom of the right circle and beat Morrison glove side for his team-leading ninth goal of the season.
Reading's Brandon Alderson capped the scoring at 8:10 of the third period when he received a pass from Cam Reid and buried a shorthanded chance on the same power play as Combs' tally.
Greenville finished the game 1-for-5 on the power play and 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. Morrison made 23 saves in the setback.
Greenville outshot Reading 29-20.
Next Time Out: The Swamp Rabbits return to action tomorrow with a 7 p.m. rematch against the Reading Royals at Santander Arena. Fans can follow all of the action online via ECHL.TV or through the free Mixlr app. The Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House, located at 103 E. Beacon Drive in Greenville, will also be hosting a watch party with live coverage all night long.
Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits all season long and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team's official Facebook and Twitter pages.
Trolley On Over: Greenville's downtown trolley route has been expanded to include a stop at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The deviated route will operate for all Swamp Rabbits' games taking place Thursdays through Sundays during normal trolley service hours.
Call 864-674-7825 or visit SwampRabbits.com for tickets. Bring a group of 15 or more out to a game and receive great discounts, merchandise offers and hospitality opportunities! Call a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive for more information! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear at the "Hop Shop" team store or visit the "Hop Shop" online at SwampRabbits.com/shop to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties!
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