ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Aces Claw Past Swamp Rabbits 3-2

Published on January 14, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Greenville, SC - Alaska's Stephen Perfetto scored the game-winning goal with just 3:21 remaining in the third period as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (18-14-6), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and AHL's Hartford Wolfpack, suffered a 3-2 setback to the Aces (13-18-5) on Thursday night at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Darian Dziurzynski and Richard Nejezchleb each scored for the Swamp Rabbits, while Allen York halted an ECHL career-high 44 shots. With the loss, Greenville fell to 10-7-5 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink this season.

The contest marked the ninth time in the last 10 games Greenville has been involved in a one-goal outcome.    

Dziurzynski gave the Swamp Rabbits a 1-0 lead late in the first period when he hammered home his ninth goal of the season at the 19:02 mark. After controlling a pass from Troy Donnay in the neutral zone, Ryan Rashid crossed the blue line and skated to the left circle, creating a two-on-one rush. From there, he delayed and directed a pass across the slot to Dziurzynski, who drilled home a one-timer past goaltender Troy Redmann's toe pad from the right wing.

Alaska took advantage of a power-play opportunity in the middle frame to tie the contest when Collin Valcourt scored his eighth of the season at 15:03. With Sean Escobedo in the box for tripping, York attempted to cover a loose puck against his cage, but it was dug out by Felix Poulin. Poulin then slipped a pass to the low slot where Valcourt flipped the puck inside the right post.

Greenville regained its lead in the third period on an acrobatic goal from Nejezchleb at the 13:35 mark. From the left wing, Nejezchleb received a pass from Jordan Knackstedt and sped to the low slot, where he was tripped up by Redmann. However, the rookie maintained possession and backhanded an off-balance shot into the right side of the net for his sixth goal of the season. Nejezchleb has 11 points in his last 11 games with the tally. He returned to the lineup on Thursday after suffering an upper body injury on January 2 in Manchester.

The Aces responded with a pair of unanswered goals to cap the game at 3-2. Daniel Johnston tied the contest for a second time at 8:57 of the third period when he netted his second goal of the season. From the high slot, Johnston collected a rebound chance and bounced a shot off a body in front that fluttered through the air and into the back of the net just under the crossbar.

Perfetto notched the game-winner at the 16:39 mark when he entered Greenville's zone at the top of the point, fell to his left foot in the slot and wristed home his sixth tally of the season.

The Swamp Rabbits set up a 6-on-5 advantage with just 1:19 left when York was pulled for the extra attacker. However, Redmann and the Aces' defense preserved the team's fourth victory on the road this season.

Greenville finished the game 0-for-1 on the power play and 3-for-4 on the penalty kill. Redmann (9-12-4) made 18 saves between the pipes for Alaska.

The Aces outshot the Swamp Rabbits 47-20.

Next Time Out: The Swamp Rabbits return to action on Saturday with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop against the Atlanta Gladiators at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, Georgia. Fans can follow all of the live action online via ECHL.TV or the free Mixlr audio stream. Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House, the Official Road Watch Party Destination, will also be showing the game live beginning at 7 p.m.

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 extended to include a stop at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The expanded 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!

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics

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ECHL Stories from January 14, 2016


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