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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Glads' Top Line Sinks Swamp Rabbits 6-2

January 19, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Greenville, SC - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (19-16-6), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and AHL's Hartford Wolfpack, were unable to overcome a fast start by the Atlanta Gladiators (25-13-2) in a 6-2 setback on Tuesday at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Atlanta's top line of Derek Nesbitt (1g, 3a), Thomas Frazee (1g, 2a) and Garry Nunn (2g, 1a) was the difference, accounting for 10 of the team's 16 points. Between the pipes, Kent Patterson made 31 saves on 33 shots en route to his team-leading 12th win of the season.

On the flip side, Michael St. Croix and Justin DaSilva each scored for Greenville, while Joe Houk earned a pair of assists in his Swamp Rabbits debut.

The Gladiators grabbed an early 1-0 lead on Nunn's first goal of the game at 7:40 of the opening period. After a successful faceoff in the right circle, Matt Register guided the puck across the red line to Nesbitt, who skated down the left wing with speed and delivered a sharp feed across the crease. At the back post, Nunn slammed home a one-timer for his seventh goal of the season.

Atlanta added to its advantage less than five minutes later when Eric Neiley netted his fourth tally of the season at the 12:27 mark. The attack was set up when Cole Martin received a short pass from Mike Merrifield and fired a long-distance shot from the left point. It was blocked by goaltender Mackenzie Skapski but the rebound fell to the blue paint, where Neiley's second-chance shot floated under the crossbar for a 2-0 lead.

Nunn scored his second goal of the contest and eighth of the season at 12:02 of the second period to give the Gladiators a 3-0 lead. Following a tie-up at the red line, Frazee captured the puck in the neutral zone and slipped it to Nesbitt at the left point. Nesbitt continued along the boards before shuffling the puck to the top of the right circle for Nunn, who reached back and let go of a blast that sailed inside the top left corner of the cage.  

The Swamp Rabbits cut their deficit to a pair courtesy of St. Croix's seventh goal of the season late in the middle frame. From the top of the left circle, Sean Escobedo delayed and unloaded a wrist shot that bounced off a pair of bodies near the goal before dropping to the right post. There, St. Croix readjusted and forced home the tally at the 18:38 mark. Escobedo and Houk earned the assists on the goal.

The Gladiators responded with two tallies in the first 3:07 of the third period to take a four-goal advantage. Nesbitt made it 4-1 just 30 seconds in with his league-leading 20th goal of the season, a one-timer from the top of the slot off assists from Frazee and Nunn.

Frazee added another goal at the 3:07 mark when he received a pass from Nesbitt at the left post and beat Skapski's right leg pad for his sixth tally of the season. Skapski was immediately replaced by P.J. Musico, who finished the game in net. In addition, Nesbitt's assist improved his point total against Greenville to 11 this season (5g, 6a) - all have come on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink.  

DaSilva netted Greenville's final tally at 7:40 of the third period. Scott Fleming created the attack when he skated behind Atlanta's net and slipped a pass to DaSilva at the top of the left circle, where the rookie defenseman spotted up and unleashed a one-time cannon that flew past Patterson's glove.

Max Everson provided the final margin at 16:52 of the final frame when he notched an empty-netter for his eighth goal of the season.

The game included one fight when Andrew Dommett and Ian Barteaux dropped the gloves at 15:54 of the second period.

Greenville finished the game 0-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. Skapski (2-5-1) made 23 saves on 28 shots, while Musico halted all eight chances he faced in relief.

The Gladiators outshot the Swamp Rabbits 37-33 on the night.

Heroes Night: The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. to face the Evansville IceMen. Friday is Heroes Night, honoring the brave men and women who serve, or have served, our community and country as first responders and soldiers. The Swamp Rabbits will wear specialty uniforms during the game that will be auctioned off immediately the contest to those in attendance. In addition, the team will recognize and honor local heroes Dave Dempsey, John Warren and the Gantt Fire Department during the game. Tickets start at just $12 and the Greenville News Family Fun Pack is also available, including four (4) tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) fountain drinks and two (2) foam fingers for just $60! Get yours now!

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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