Sports stats



ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Gibson's Hat Trick Guides Everblades Past Swamp Rabbits

March 25, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Estero, FL - Florida's Greg Gibson recorded a hat trick in his professional debut on Friday as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-28-9), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, suffered a 7-2 loss to the Everblades (41-21-2) at Germain Arena.

Jack Combs and Garett Bembridge each scored for Greenville, but the Swamp Rabbits fell for the third straight game (0-2-1) and dropped nine points behind Elmira for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining in the regular season.

Combs continued his hot streak at 11:39 of the first period when he gave the Swamp Rabbits a 1-0 lead with his sixth goal in the last four games. From the left corner, Josh Nicholls weaved his way to the side of the blue paint where the puck slid loose. It was nudged by Scott Fleming before Combs beat the glove of goaltender Anthony Peters with a backhand shot from the doorstep. It was Combs' team-leading 24th tally of the season.

The Everblades responded less than three minutes with a power-play goal from Brendan O'Donnell. With Tommy Thompson in the box for high-sticking during his professional debut, O'Donnell captured the puck on the right side following a missed shot from Matt Willows. He then moved to the bottom of the right marks and lifted a top-shelf shot over the glove of netminder Alain Valiquette at the 14:27 mark. It was O'Donnell's eighth goal of the season.

Florida captured its first lead of the evening at 14:45 of the middle frame when Gibson left his initial mark on the score sheet. Logan Roe created the chance with a blast form the top of the point that Valiquette denied, but the rebound fell to Jon DiSalvatore in the crease where he brushed it to Gibson who jammed it home.

Daniel New made it 3-1 less than a minute later when he capitalized on a 3-on-1 rush at 15:39 of the second period. Matt Marquardt crossed the blue line, skated to the right circle and placed a pin-point pass to the left hash marks where New wristed home a quick shot for his first ECHL goal of the season.  

Bembridge cut Greenville's deficit to one with 100 seconds to play in the second period with his 15th goal of the season. Although not credited with an assist, Vinny Saponari set up the attack from below the goal line when he funneled a pass to Joe Houk in the slot. There, Houk ripped a heavy snap shot that Peters turned aside, but Brian Hart bumped the puck to Bembridge at the left post for a forehand shot past Peters' blocker.

Florida pulled away in the third period with four unanswered goals to cap the 7-2 final. Matt Willows put the Everblades on top by two with his team-leading 22nd tally of the season at the 9:36 mark. Kevin Lynch guided the puck to Willows at the right post where the first-year pro fired a one-time shot past Valiquette's glove. Carter Sandlak added his fifth goal of the season at the 16:16 mark when he lifted a rebound, top shelf, following Ralph Cuddemi's wraparound chance.

Gibson completed his hat trick with back-to-back, even-strength goals in the final three and a half minutes. The rookie out of Robert Morris University made it 7-2 when he finished a 2-on-1 rush from the right circle on a feed from Gabriel Desjardins.

Valiquette (4-2-0) made 33 saves in the loss, while Peters (25-14-1) stopped 21 shots in the Everblades' win. Florida outshot Greenville 40-23.

Craft Beer Night is coming up on Saturday, Apr. 2 when the Swamp Rabbits host the Kalamazoo Wings in their penultimate home game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. All fans 21 and older are invited to sample delicious craft beers before and during the team's 7 p.m. contest against Kalamazoo. For just $35, the package includes:

- One (1) lower bowl, red level ticket

- Entry for one (1) to the Craft Beer Tasting in the beer garden from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

- $1 off craft beers purchased at select concession stands for the duration of the game

- A souvenir gift and sampling glass

Already have a ticket to the game? Get into the craft beer tasting party and take advantage of all additional perks for just $24. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase food during the event at the special sausage bar & pretzel stations! For tickets to the craft beer tasting party, call the Swamp Rabbits front office at 864-674-PUCK (7825) or click here.

Next Time Out: The Swamp Rabbits conclude a five-game road trip tomorrow with a 7 p.m. puck drop against the Florida Everblades at Germain Arena. Fans can follow all of the live action via the Mixlr audio stream or ECHL.TV. The Official Road Watch Party Destination, the Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House (located at 103 E. Beacon Drive in Greenville), will also host an Official Watch Party beginning at 6:45 p.m. tomorrow night.

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from March 25, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central