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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Late Surge Powers Swamp Rabbits to 6-1 Victory

December 19, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Greenville, SC - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (12-12-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, scored four goals in the third period on Saturday to power the home team to a convincing 6-1 victory over the Orlando Solar Bears (10-10-5) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Justin DaSilva helped Greenville seal the victory with his first career three-point outing (1g, 2a), while Joey Holka and Zack LaRue each recorded their first goals in the ECHL this season. Jack Combs (1g, 1a), Bretton Cameron (1g, 1a) and Jordan Knackstedt also contributed with two points each. Between the pipes, P.J. Musico (5-3-1) halted 26 shots in the win.

With the victory, the Swamp Rabbits improved to 2-1-2 against the Solar Bears this season and 8-6-2 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. The club's four-goal third period marked the second time Greenville has scored that many goals in a frame this season.

Greenville opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal from Combs at 11:53 of the first period. With Scott Fleming in the box for slashing, Combs received a pass from Cameron and skated to the right circle, where he executed a highlight-reel spin and shot through the five-hole of Orlando goaltender Ryan Massa for his team-leading 12th goal of the season. Cameron and DaSilva were credited with the assists.

The Swamp Rabbits made it 2-0 on Holka's second career tally at the 17:28 mark of the opening frame. After being slowed by the Solar Bears' defense, Knackstedt delivered a drop pass to the right hash marks, where Holka hammered a one-time shot off the left post and past Massa's blocker. DaSilva again earned a helper along with Knackstedt.

The Solar Bears heated up in the second period, outshooting Greenville 14-8 and scoring the lone goal of the middle frame just 51 seconds in courtesy of Christopher Clapperton. After Erik Bradford won a faceoff in the left circle, Clapperton captured a feed from Brady Vail in the trapezoid and fired a turnaround wrist shot from the slot between the legs of Musico for his third goal of the season.

The Swamp Rabbits responded in a big way in the third period, collecting four goals to seal the dominating victory. Knackstedt made it 3-1 at the 6:11 mark when he netted his third goal in as many games. After forcing Orlando to lose possession at the red line, Darian Dziurzynski raced to the high slot, recovered the puck and ripped a wrist shot off Massa's chest. The rebound fell in the slot for Knackstedt, who buried the second chance over the right shoulder of the Solar Bears' goaltender for his fifth goal of the season overall.

With just under two and a half minutes remaining, Orlando pulled Massa for an extra attack, but could not capitalize. Instead, Cameron secured an empty netter at the 18:29 mark and took exception to a late hit from Vail after the puck crossed the goal line. The Swamp Rabbits' captain immediately charged at Vail and dropped the gloves in the left corner, ending both of their nights. In addition, Vail was given an additional minor for interference, which sent Greenville to the man advantage.

Just 15 seconds later, DaSilva opened the flood gates with his first professional goal on the power play to make it 5-1. Scott Fleming created the chance with a diagonal feed to the right circle, where DaSilva slammed home a one-timer past Massa's glove.  

LaRue capped the scoring at the 19:02 mark when he scored his first ECHL goal on a backhand shot from the low slot that slipped past Massa for the 6-1 final.

Greenville finished the game 0-for-3 on the power play, but 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. The club is now 17 for its last 17 on the penalty kill overall.

Massa (5-4-0) made 22 saves in the loss, while the Swamp Rabbits outshot the Solar Bears 28-27.

Next Time Out: Take advantage of the Greenville News Family Fun Pack and a post-game skate with the team tomorrow afternoon when the Swamp Rabbits rematch against Orlando at 3 p.m. at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack is available for the game, featuring four (4) red-level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) soft drinks and two (2) foam fingers for just $60! Following the game, all fans are encouraged to stick around and enjoy a post-game skate with the ENTIRE team on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. The club will also wear its specialty New York Rangers style jerseys. Doors open at 2 p.m.

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 SwampRabbits 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!

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