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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Playoff Quest Heats up Tonight in Orlando

March 23, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN

Crucial points are on the line this evening as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, face the Orlando Solar Bears at the Amway Center for the final time this season. Both teams are battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, with the ninth-place Solar Bears just three points ahead of 12th-place Greenville. The Swamp Rabbits are seven points behind Elmira for the final playoff position with just nine games left in the regular season. Greenville enters tonight's contest on a three-game point streak (1-0-2), but is coming off of a 4-3 shootout loss to South Carolina on Sunday. Jack Combs (2g, 1a) and Scott Fleming (1g, 1a) each recorded multiple points that afternoon, but Marcus Perrier scored twice for the Stingrays and Brandon Magee netted the shootout winner. Greenville is looking to earn at least a point in four straight games for the first time since a streak that spanned from Dec. 19 - Jan. 3.

HARES VS. BEARS

Tonight's contest marks the ninth and final meeting between the Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears this season, and the fourth matchup at the Amway Center. Greenville is 4-2-2 against Orlando this season and has won three of the last four meetings. The Swamp Rabbits suffered a 5-2 loss in their last matchup with the Solar Bears on Feb. 6 in Orlando. Vinny Saponari and Josh Nicholls each scored for the Swamp Rabbits, while Jack Rodewald secured the game-winner for the Solar Bears at 7:53 of the third period. Greenville is 16-13-5 in the all-time series.

VIEW FROM ORLANDO

In a playoff push of their own, the Solar Bears are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and have improved to third in the South Division and ninth in the Eastern Conference. Orlando is four points out of a playoff spot with 10 games left. The Solar Bears enter tonight's contest on a two-game winning streak that includes a 5-3 victory against Adirondack at home on Sunday. After falling behind 1-0, Orlando rallied with four straight goals including Chris Bradley's first pro tally, which stood as the game-winner. Brady Vail also found the back of the net and is now tied for 12th in the league's scoring race with 54 points. In addition, T.J. Foster ranks second among rookies in goal scoring (23) and tied for seventh in points (47). Orlando concludes a four-game homestand tonight.

TOP OF THE CHARTS

Forwards Scott Fleming and Jack Combs each recorded five points in three games last week and continue to rank first and second on the club in scoring respectively. Fleming gathered one goal and four assists and is now on a team-best three-game point streak, while Combs collected three goals and two assists. Fleming leads Greenville in points (47), assists (29), plus-minus (+18) and power-play goals (6) this season, and Combs boasts a team-high 21 goals. Both have registered three game-winners.  

DODERO RETURNS

Third-year defenseman Charlie Dodero was loaned to Greenville on Tuesday by the AHL's Syracuse Crunch following his fifth call-up of the season. The 23-year-old has played 25 games with the Swamp Rabbits this season, recording four points (1g, 3a) and 68 penalty minutes. He has also notched 17 penalty minutes in 10 games with the Crunch during the 2015-16 campaign.

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS

The Swamp Rabbits have drastically heated up on both sides of special teams over the last nine games, dating back to Feb. 28 at Brampton. Greenville has gone 11-for-36 (30.6%) on the power play during that span, lifting the club to seventh in the league at home and 16th overall. On the flip side, Greenville's penalty kill is 31-for-34 (91.2%) during that same nine-game span.    

FREE HOCKEY

Two of the Swamp Rabbits last three games have been decided in overtime or a shootout. In fact, Greenville is fifth in the ECHL with 16 games going beyond regulation. The Swamp Rabbits are 3-8 when games end in overtime this season, but 4-1 in shootouts.  

QUICK HITS

Vinny Saponari played his 200th professional game last Saturday in Atlanta... Jack Combs notched his 200th professional goal last Saturday in Atlanta... Josh Nicholls has 10 points (4g, 6a) in his last 11 contests... Brian Hart has scored in three of his last five games (3g)... Mackenzie Skapski played all three games against Atlanta and South Carolina last weekend and earned a 1.95 goals-against-average, .943 save percentage and one shutout... The Swamp Rabbits have scored first and led after two periods in each of their last three games.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (41-24-8, 2nd Metropolitan): Next vs. Boston - Tonight, 8 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (35-27-2, 6th Atlantic): Next vs. Providence - Tonight, 7 p.m. ET

Craft Beer Night is coming up on Saturday, Apr. 2 when the Swamp Rabbits host the Kalamazoo Wings in their penultimate home game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. All fans 21 and older are invited to sample delicious craft beers before and during the team's 7 p.m. contest against Kalamazoo. For just $35, the package includes:

- One (1) lower bowl, red level ticket

- Entry for one (1) to the Craft Beer Tasting in the beer garden from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

- $1 off craft beers purchased at select concession stands for the duration of the game

- A souvenir gift and sampling glass

Already have a ticket to the game? Get into the craft beer tasting party and take advantage of all additional perks for just $24. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase food during the event at the special sausage bar & pretzel stations! For tickets to the craft beer tasting party, call the Swamp Rabbits front office at 864-674-PUCK (7825).

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ECHL Stories from March 23, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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