ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Heroes Night Headlines Weekend Games

January 22, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (19-16-6), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, battle the Evansville IceMen (13-19-4) tonight in their final home game until February 13. Greenville enters the contest ranked fourth in the South Division, one point behind South Carolina, but with points in seven of its last 10 home games. On Tuesday, Michael St. Croix and Justin DaSilva each scored for the Swamp Rabbits, but the Atlanta Gladiators' top line of Derek Nesbitt, Thomas Frazee and Garry Nunn combined for 12 points in Greenville's 6-2 loss. The setback also extended the Swamp Rabbits' streak of home games without a win in regulation to six, dating back to December 27.

HEROES NIGHT

The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tonight for 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 following 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!

RABBITS VS. ICEMEN

Tonight's contest marks the second and final meeting between the Swamp Rabbits and IceMen this season - both taking place on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. Evansville leads the season-series 1-0-0 following a 3-2 win in Greenville on Halloween. Former Swamp Rabbits forwards Jack Combs (currently on call-up with Hartford) and Brian Hart (currently on call-up with Syracuse) each scored for Greenville that afternoon, but Evansville's Ryan Penny netted the game-winner with just 3:20 left in the third period. Greenville went 3-2-0 against the IceMen last season and is 10-5-0 in the all-time series. Tonight's game also marks the fourth and final meeting against a Western Conference opponent this season.

VIEW FROM EVANSVILLE

Appropriate to their name, the IceMen enter tonight's contest on a cold streak and in the basement of the Midwest Division. The club has won just three of its last 10 games and looks to find its stride following back-to-back losses. Last Saturday, Danny Hobbs, a former New York Rangers prospect and Greenville alumnus, scored his third goal of the season and Cody Reichard stopped 29 shots in net, but Evansville suffered a 2-1 loss at home to the Quad City Mallards. Daultan Leveille also collected an assist in that game and is now tied for the team-lead in points (25), and goals (16). The IceMen begin a six-game road trip tonight, which concludes January 30.

DIVISION COLLISION

Saturday's contest against the South Carolina Stingrays will mark the first of five straight games for Greenville within the South Division. It will also mark the fifth of 11 meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Stingrays this season, and the third of six matchups in North Charleston. Greenville won each of its first three games against South Carolina this season, but dropped the last matchup on Dec. 12 in the Lowcountry when "Rays forward Joe Devin (currently on call-up) scored a hat trick en route to a 5-1 final. Greenville went 4-9-1 against the Stingrays last season (3-5-0 at home) and is 41-37-3 in the all-time series.

VIEW FROM NORTH CHARLESTON

Head coach Spencer Carbery's club has dropped five straight games entering the weekend (0-3-2) and currently ranks third in the South Division standings (45 points). In their last outing on Sunday, the Stingrays fell to Alaska, 4-3 in a shootout, despite goals from Marcus Perrier, Stephen Vigier and David Pacan, and a 42-save effort from Mark Dekanich. Pacan now leads South Carolina with 28 points and 17 asssists, and is tied for the team-lead with 11 goals. Meanwhile, Dekancich is tied for ninth in the ECHL with a 2.11 goals-against-average. The Stingrays face Atlanta on Friday before welcoming Greenville to the North Charleston Coliseum on Saturday.    

SPECIAL TEAMS PUZZLE

The Swamp Rabbits penalty kill has come to life over the last 10 games, going 29-for-32 during that span (90.6%) and improving to 22nd in the league. However, the power play has been a different story as of late, going scoreless in its last nine contests dating back to New Year's Eve (0-for-23).

NEW YORK

Fifth-year netminder Allen York has been sensational since returning from the injured reserve in late December. In his last six starts since December 27, York is 3-1-2 with an impressive 1.95 goals-against-average and .947 save percentage. In addition, he notched his first shutout of the season, and the ninth of his professional career, with 31 saves last Monday in a 1-0 victory against Atlanta.

Z - FACTOR

Despite York's recent success, no one on the Swamp Rabbits has been better than forward Darian Dziurzynski in the last seven games. The fourth-year pro recorded his first multi-goal game in the ECHL last Saturday and now has five goals in his last seven. Dziurzynksi is currently ranked fifth on Greenville's active roster with 20 points (11g, 9a).

AS CLOSE AS IT GETS

Tuesday's 6-2 loss to Atlanta snapped a streak of 12 straight games for the Swamp Rabbits that have ended in a one or two goal differential. Still, 10 of Greenville's last 13 contests have been decided by a single tally. The Swamp Rabbits are 11-5-6 in one-goal games this season and 2-3-0 when the contest is decided by two.  

QUICK HITS

Bretton Cameron is expected to return this weekend after missing three games with an upper body injury... Rob Kwiet wore the 'C' for the first time on Tuesday... It was the first time since the 2013-14 season someone other than Cameron has worn it... Greenville is 1-2-1 against the Western Conference this season... Greenville hasn't dropped three straight games at home since October 30 - November 1.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (25-16-5, 2nd Metro): Next at Carolina Hurricanes - Tonight, 7 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (19-19-2, T-4th Atlantic): Next at Bridgeport - Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m. ET

PARTY AT PALMETTO

Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House, the Official Road Game Watch Party Destination of the Swamp Rabbits located at 103 E. Beacon Drive in Greenville, will stream Saturday's game live beginning at 7 p.m. Fans can also follow all of the action live through ECHL.TV or the free Mixlr app.

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



ECHL Stories from January 22, 2016


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