Game Preview: Swamp Rabbits at IceMen, 7 PM
December 12, 2020 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. - Tonight, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits conclude their Opening Weekend with a 7 PM road match-up with the Jacksonville Icemen. The Icemen are the ECHL affiliate for the NHL's Winnipeg Jets and AHL's Manitoba Moose.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (1-0-0-0) at Jacksonville Icemen (0-1-0-0)
December 12, 2020 | 7 PM | Game #2 | Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena
Referees: Sean MacFarlane (4)
Linesmen: Shane Gustafson (87), Kilian McNamara (90)
Broadcast Information:
WATCH LIVE: https://www.flohockey.tv/
LISTEN LIVE: https://mixlr.com/swamp-rabbits
LAST TIME OUT:
ECHL Hockey returned last night with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits winning a 3-2 overtime thriller over the in-state South Carolina Stingrays. Max Novak opened the scoring for the Stingrays at 6:48 of the second period, and Bryan Moore answered for the Swamp Rabbits at 9:07. Tied at 1-1 in the third period, South Carolina jumped back out in front, 2-1, on Caleb Herbert's first goal of the season. But in his pro debut, blueliner Ben Finkelstein tied the game on a 4-on-3 power play goal at 8:08 and won the game in overtime at 3:11 for the Upstate. Last night, the Jacksonville Icemen dropped a 6-1 road decision to the Florida Everblades. The Icemen's lone goal came from Luke Shiplo at 4:17 of the second period.
BIG BEN STANDS TALL:
Last night, Ben Finkelstein stormed into the professional ranks with a two-goal performance in his professional debut. The South Burlington, Vermont native played his last two seasons at Boston College and compiled six total goals in 56 games between his junior and senior seasons. In 2019-20, two of his five goals scored collegiately were game-winners. The 23-year-old blue liner is a 7th round selection by the Florida Panthers in the 2017 NHL Draft.
A NIGHT OF FIRSTS:
Five Swamp Rabbits last night made their professional hockey debut. Karch Bachman, Ben Finkelstein, Nick Poehling, Jack Poehling and Matt Wedman all skated in their first pro game in Greenville's 3-2 overtime win at South Carolina. Mike McNamee recorded his first career ECHL point with the primary assist on Finkelstein's overtime game-winning goal. Bryan Moore recorded the club's first goal of the season in the second period last night and dropped the gloves minutes later, finishing the night only an assist shy of a Gordie Howe Hat-Trick. Wedman assisted on Moore's tally for his first career professional point. Greenville's win marked the very first ECHL coaching victory for Swamp Rabbits first year Head Coach, Andrew Lord.
LONGTIME COMING:
Last night, Brendan Connolly made his North American hockey return and skated in his first ECHL game since Apr. 10, 2015. Connolly contributed two assists for his first ECHL multi-point game since Mar. 28, 2015. The Canmore, Alberta native played for the Greenville Road Warriors for parts of three seasons from 2010-2013. In his 12th pro season, Connolly has played 604 total games and has registered 620 points (262 goals, 358 assists) including 333 points at the ECHL level. Forward Joey Haddad also skated in his first ECHL game since Apr. 5, 2014.
GETTING 'IGGY WITH IT:
Ryan Bednard stopped 25 of 27 shots, including key stops late in the game to help the Swamp Rabbits to their 3-2 overtime win. Should Greenville turn to goaltender Jacob Ingham tonight, it will mark his professional debut in net. The 20-year-old netminder is a 6th round selection by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2018 NHL Draft. Last season in the OHL, Ingham led the league in wins with 33 for the Kitchener Rangers and finished tops in the OHL with total saves (1,501).
ECHL Stories from December 12, 2020
- Game Preview: Swamp Rabbits at IceMen, 7 PM - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Rabbit Scores Twice as IceMen Win Home Opener 4-3 - Jacksonville Icemen
- Everblades Finish Weekend with Win - Florida Everblades
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- Fuel Pick up First Road Win over Nailers - Indy Fuel
- Preview: Solar Bears Come to Town - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Transactions - December 12 - ECHL
- Grizzlies Game Preview: December 12, 2020 Grizzlies at Rush - Utah Grizzlies
- Game Preview: Swamp Rabbits at IceMen - Jacksonville Icemen
- Americans Open the Season Tonight - Allen Americans
- Rush Win Exhilarating Home Opening Night against Utah - Rapid City Rush
- Tulsa Picks up Point, Falls Short in Shootout on Opening Night - Tulsa Oilers
- Grizzlies Fall 6-4 in Season Opener - Utah Grizzlies
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