Preview: Rabbits Battle 'Rays on Video Game Night
November 20, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
THE STORY COMING IN
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (5-8-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, continue a three-game homestand tonight when they welcome the South Carolina Stingrays (7-5-2) to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Greenville enters the contest on a two-game slide, but a three-game streak in which they have not been beaten in regulation at home (2-0-1). In their last outing on Tuesday, the Swamp Rabbits rallied back from a pair of three-goal deficits to force overtime and earn a point against Orlando, but fell, 6-5, when T.J. Foster scored at 2:38 of the extra session. Scott Fleming netted two goals for Greenville, while newcomer Darian Dziurzynski (2a) was one of three other players with multiple points.
YOU GAME?
Tonight is "Video Game Night!" All fans are encouraged to dress up like their favorite video game character and a variety of vintage and current video games will be available to play on the concourse. In addition, anyone in attendance can enter for a chance to play another fan on the jumbotron during the game. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack is available for this 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!
THE MATCHUP
Tonight's contest marks the third of 11 meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Stingrays this season, and the second of five matchups in the Upstate. Greenville leads the season-series 2-0-0 following back-to-back victories on Oct. 23 and 24. In their last meeting, Bretton Cameron scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, to propel the Swamp Rabbits to a 3-2 victory in North Charleston. The Rabbits earned a 5-3 victory in their home opener the day before. Greenville went 4-9-1 against the Stingrays last season (3-5-0 at home) and is 40-36-3 in the all-time series.
VIEW FROM NORTH CHARLESTON
Led by head coach Spencer Carbery, the Stingrays kick off a season-long 10-game road trip tonight that runs through Dec. 11. South Carolina is currently on a one-game slide, but a two-game stretch in which they have not been beaten in regulation, including their most recent game, a 2-1 shootout loss to Orlando last Saturday. Brendan Ellis scored the 'Rays only goal that night, while 19-year-old rookie Vitek Vanecek made 22 saves to help South Carolina earn a point. Despite the loss, Vanecek was named the CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week for Nov. 9-15. He went 1-0-1 with a 0.92 goals-against-average and .956 save percentage in two appearances last week and improved to eighth among ECHL netminders with a 1.99 goals-against-average overall this season.
ROSTER SHUFFLE
Swamp Rabbits' head coach Brian Gratz has made a handful of roster moves since the team's last outing on Tuesday, including a couple of changes between the pipes. On Thursday, goaltender Allen York was placed on the 21-day injured reserve, allowing room for the club to re-acquired rookie netminder P.J. Musico in a trade with Reading for future considerations. Musico attended training camp with Greenville this season and was signed to an ECHL contract on Oct. 12. He went on to make one appearance and beat South Carolina, 5-3, with a 25-save effort in the home opener. In addition, the Swamp Rabbits also bolstered their offense by signing the team's leading scorer from a year ago, 25-year-old Vinny Saponari. However, Saponari was immediately called up to the AHL's Lake Erie Monsters this morning.
FAMILIAR SCENE
Greenville is 5-8-1 (11 points) through its first 14 games this season, but don't hit the panic button just yet. Since the team's relocation in 2010, it's been slow out of the gate more times than not and typically finds momentum as the first half progresses. In fact, Greenville began the 2013-14 season with less points (10) as of Nov. 20 and ranked near the bottom of the league in goals for and shots against. That team went on to make the Kelly Cup playoffs and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.
MR. 400
Veteran forward Jordan Knackstedt will make his 400th professional appearance tonight. Since his pro debut on Apr. 8, 2008 with the AHL's Providence Bruins, the eighth-year pro has totaled 210 career AHL games played, 76 ECHL appearances and 113 games played in Russia, Germany, Italy and Sweden. Knackstedt has collected 240 points (91g, 149a) in his career.
GOING STREAKING
Forwards Michael St. Croix (2g, 2a) and Scott Fleming (4g, 2a) are each on a four-game point streak, dating back to Nov. 12. In addition, St. Croix is just four points from his 100th professional marker.
AFFILIATE REPORT
New York Rangers (14-3-2, 1st Metropolitan): Next at Florida - Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET
Hartford Wolf Pack (6-8-2, 6th Atlantic): Next at Utica - Tonight, 7:00 p.m. ET
Princess Night: The Swamp Rabbits have added "Princess Night" to their promotional calendar for this Monday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. Elsa, Anna, Sofia the First and Tiana will all be in attendance and available to sign autographs on the concourse throughout the evening. In addition, fans can take advantage of 50% off tickets to Disney on Ice (Nov. 25 - Nov. 29) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena box office through the start of the third period. This offer will only be available to fans who attend the game on Monday night. The special tickets will only be available for purchase at the indoor ticket windows on the concourse during the Swamp Rabbits game. Doors open at 6 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 expanded to include a stop at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The altered 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!
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