ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Knackstedt Leads Swamp Rabbits to 6-5 Win

Published on February 4, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Orlando, FL - Jordan Knackstedt went top shelf and buried the game-winning goal with just 3.3 seconds remaining on Thursday as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (22-18-6), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, earned a 6-5 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears (17-19-6) at the Amway Center.

Knackstedt's game-winner was one of three unanswered goals in the third period and one of three points (2g, 1a) on the night. Scott Fleming (2g, 1a), Kodie Curran (3a) and Bretton Cameron (2a) also chipped in multiple points in the winning effort.

With the victory, the Swamp Rabbits (50 points) improved to third place in the South Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference, leap-frogging South Carolina and Reading.

In a series that has seen no shortage of scoring, Fleming struck first just 80 seconds into the contest with his 12th goal of the season. Michael St. Croix set up the chance from below the goal line when he slipped a centering feed to the slot, where a crashing Fleming drilled a one-timer past goaltender Rob Madore from below the left hash marks.

Troy Donnay made it 2-0 at 8:57 of the first period when he crushed a slap shot from the right point that sailed over Madore's blocker for his second professional goal. However, Orlando responded with a shorthanded goal less than five minutes later to cut its deficit to one. With Mark Louis in the box for hooking, Rylan Schwartz collected the puck at Greenville's blue line and skated the other way on a 2-on-1 rush. From the left side, he didn't let go of the puck until he beat York with a wrist shot at the 13:25 mark.

The middle frame belonged to the Solar Bears as the home team scored four of the five goals to take its largest advantage of the game. Orlando grabbed its first lead with back-to-back tallies just 57 seconds apart beginning with Eric Faille's team-leading 18th goal of the season from Schwartz and Eric Baier at the 5:28 mark. Matt Rupert followed that up with his eighth of the season at 6:25 from Erik Bradford and Johnny McInnis. Both goals were netted at even strength.

The pendulum continued to swing at 10:14 of the second period when Knackstedt evened the game with his first goal of the night. On a heads up play from below the goal line, Knackstedt banked a shot off Madore's left skate and angled it into the cage. Curran and Cameron each recorded an assist.

Bradford reclaimed the Solar Bears' lead when he settled Adam Reid's pass from the blue line and lifted a shot from the right post over York's glove as he sprawled across the blue paint at 16:31. Nicklas Lindberg added his second goal of the season just 49 seconds later from Brady Vail and Jack Rodewald to extend Orlando's advantage.

Greenville responded in a big way with three straight goals in the third period to earn the victory. Charlie Dodero made it 5-4 when he recorded his first goal of the season on the power play at the 2:09 mark. With Max Nicastro in the box for high sticking, Knackstedt and Ryan Rashid conducted several passes to set up Dodero at the right point, where he reached back and let go of a blast that beat Madore high blocker side.

Less than two minutes later, Fleming tied the game with his second tally of the evening, a snap shot from the hash marks that beat Madore blocker side, just inside the left post.

Knackstedt capped the scoring and lifted the Swamp Rabbits to victory in the final seconds with his game-high eighth shot of the contest - a season high. At even strength, Fleming and Cameron teamed up to set up Knackstedt on the left side, where he wheeled through the circle and placed a wrist shot in the top right corner of the net past Madore's glove.

The thrilling affair also featured two fights including Kodie Curran versus Zach Bell directly off the draw to start the second period, and Justin DaSilva versus Louis at 9:44 of the middle frame.

Greenville finished the game 1-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. York made 25 saves in the victory, while Madore halted 36 shots in his fourth straight setback.

The Swamp Rabbits outshot the Solar Bears 42-30.

On Deck: The Swamp Rabbits complete a five-game road trip on Saturday with a 7 p.m. rematch against the Orlando Solar Bears at the Amway Center. Fans can follow all of the live action via ECHL.TV or the free Mixlr audio stream. The Official Road Watch Party Destination, Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House located at 103 E. Beacon Drive in Greenville, will also stream the game live beginning at 7 p.m.

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics

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