Everblades Stop Swamp Rabbits in Tracks
March 28, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
Estero, FL - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (23-36-7-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, were unable to gain an offensive edge against the Florida Everblades (47-13-2-4), falling 3-0 to the South Division leaders. The Swamp Rabbits held the Everblades at bay past the halfway point of the contest with an even score after 35 minutes of play.
The Swamp Rabbits penalty kill needed to be successful right from the drop of the puck. Greenville killed off four Everblades power plays in the opening period alone. On the man advantage, Florida was able to fire 11 shots compared to Greenville's five in the opening period. The penalty kills resulted in a building block for Greenville and eventually finished the game 6-for-6 when down a man. However, the club was unable to produce on five power play chances.
In his first action with the Swamp Rabbits, goaltender Chris Nell needed to be on his toes and the rookie did not disappoint. The Bowling Green State University alum made 26 saves before the Everblades finally broke through in the second period, with only four minutes left to play.
Florida tossed a few chances toward the net late in the second period. Off a shot from the right circle, Nell made a quick pad save and sprawled for a second stop atop the crease. After denying Stephen MacAulay and Mitchell Heard on their opportunities, the Swamp Rabbits were unable to keep Kyle Neuber from grabbing a rebound on the left side of the cage. The Everblades winger tapped in the puck from just outside the crease for his third goal of the year and the eventual game-winner.
Florida shut down the Swamp Rabbits charge in the third period and notched a pair of goals. Matt Berry posted his 13th of the season, crashing to the net hard. Neuber tossed the puck toward the crease and caught his line mate just before the net fell off its moorings. Berry's goal put the Everblades up 2-0 a little more than three minutes into the final period.
Steven Lorentz put the finishing touches on the game at the 13-minute mark of the third period. The winger broke through the neutral zone and caught a pass from Michael Kirkpatrick while the Swamp Rabbits were changing. He went in on a breakaway and tucked a shot under the cross bar to ice the game.
Despite his effort in net and a season high 40 saves on 43 shots, Nell could not find the win column in his Swamp Rabbits debut. At the opposite end, Martin Ouellette produced his fourth shutout with 14 saves.
The two teams meet again on Friday night at Germain Arena, the final game between the South Division opponents this season. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m. as the Swamp Rabbits seek to rebound and pick up their third win of the season against Florida.
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ECHL Stories from March 28, 2018
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