ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: May the Force be with the Swamp Rabbits Tonight

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


THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (11-12-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tonight to face the Orlando Solar Bears (10-9-5) for the third time in the last four games. Greenville has earned points in seven of its last 10 games overall, but enters tonight's contest on a two-game slide including a 3-2 overtime loss to the Solar Bears eight days ago. Last time out, Jordan Knackstedt collected Greenville's only tally in a 5-1 setback at South Carolina last Saturday. Knackstedt has now scored in two straight games and is just four points from his 250th professional point. The Swamp Rabbits have just two more games, both against Orlando this weekend, until the team departs for its Christmas break.

WHAT'S ON DECK

Get an intergalactic experience at tonight's game with Star Wars Night, featuring a Family Force Pack ticket special: four (4) red-level tickets and two (2) bottleneck socks for just $60 (BUY NOW)! All fans are also encouraged to dress up like their favorite hero or villain and meet Darth Vader and other characters from the Star Wars series throughout the night. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Family Fun Day: Take advantage of the Greenville News Family Fun Pack and a post-game skate tomorrow when the Swamp Rabbits rematch against Orlando at 3 p.m. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack features four (4) red-level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) fountain drinks and two (2) Swamp Rabbits' foam fingers for just $60! Following the game, all fans are encouraged to stick around and skate with the ENTIRE team on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. The club will also wear its specialty New York Rangers style uniforms for the penultimate Sunday home game this season.

THE MATCHUP

Tonight's game marks the fifth of nine meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears this season, and the fourth of five matchups at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Orlando currently leads the season-series 3-1-0, although Greenville has recorded points in three of those four contests with two overtime losses. In their last matchup on December 11, Jack Combs and Jordan Knackstedt each scored for the Swamp Rabbits, but Jack Rodewald netted the game-winner in overtime to lift the Solar Bears to a 3-2 victory. Greenville went 5-3-2 against the Solar Bears last season (3-1-0 at home) and is 13-11-5 all-time against Orlando.

VIEW FROM ORLANDO

First-year head coach Anthony Noreen's club has dropped four of its last five games, and nine of its last 11 overall, and enter tonight's contest in a tie for fourth place in the South Division with Greenville (25 points). In their last outing on Wednesday, forwards Eric Faille and Brady Vail each registered a goal, but the Solar Bears fell to the Florida Everblades 3-2 on the road. Faille currently leads Orlando in goals (12) and points (24), and is tied for 11th in league scoring overall. In addition, Faille enters tonight's contest with points in seven straight road games (6g, 8a), dating back to November 17. The Solar Bears conclude a six-game road trip this weekend.  

400 CLUB

Veteran forward Jack Combs recorded his 400th professional point on December 11 when he collected his own rebound and buried a second-period goal against Orlando. An elite scorer, Combs has molded an impressive seven-year career, in which he is nearly a point-per-game player (401 points in 411 professional contests). In addition, Combs has notched 236 points (111g, 125a) in 188 ECHL games with Alaska, Trenton, Colorado, Cincinnati, Allen, Stockton, and Greenville. The 27-year-old currently leads the Swamp Rabbits in scoring with 25 points, which also places him ninth in the league's scoring race overall.  

MOVING ON UP

Greenville has currently seen 13 different players earn call-ups to the AHL a total of 18 times this season. In comparison, last year's club endured just 16 total call-ups between 14 different skaters.

GIVE IT A SHOT

The Swamp Rabbits have amassed at least 30 shots in each of their last five contests, dating back to Dec. 4 against Cincinnati. Overall, Greenville ranks seventh in the league with 30.85 shots per game.

QUICK HITS

Jeff Malcolm was recalled to AHL Hartford on Friday after New York Rangers goaltender Antti Raanta suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's game against Minnesota...Malcolm has not lost in regulation at home for the Swamp Rabbits since November 12, a span of seven consecutive starts (5-0-2)... Jack Combs and Josh Nicholls are tied for the team-lead with six multi-point games... The Swamp Rabbits are 8-1-1 when leading after two periods... Greenville is 14 for its last 14 on the penalty kill.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (19-11-4, 2nd Metropolitan): Next vs. Washington - Tomorrow, 7 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (11-15-2, 8th Atlantic): Next at Utica - Tonight, 7 p.m. ET

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 December 19, 2015


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