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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Swamp Rabbits Conclude Five-Game Road Trip this Weekend

March 25, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-27-9), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, conclude a five-game road trip this weekend beginning tonight with their penultimate game against the Florida Everblades (40-21-2) this season. Greenville enters tonight's contest 12th in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind Elmira for the final playoff position, with just eight games remaining in the regular season. The Swamp Rabbits are coming off of back-to-back losses including a 6-3 setback in Orlando on Wednesday. Jack Combs scored twice for the second consecutive game, but the Solar Bears countered with two goals from Rylan Schwartz and a three-goal third period.

THE MATCHUP

Tonight's game will mark the 10th of 11 meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Everblades this season, and the third of four matchups in the Sunshine State. Greenville is 4-4-1 in the season series and has won two of its last three games against the Everblades. However, Florida earned a 5-2 win at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in the last meeting on March 12 when former 'Blades forward Ryan Martindale, now with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, scored twice for the visitors. On the flip side, Jack Combs scored twice for Greenville. The Swamp Rabbits are 36-21-9 in the all-time series.    

VIEW FROM ESTERO

Led by head coach Greg Poss, the Everblades have won five of their last seven games and enter tonight's contest in second place in the South Division, three points behind South Carolina. In their last outing on Sunday, Kevin Lynch scored twice and Matt Willows notched the game-winner in a high-scoring affair (5-4) against the Atlanta Gladiators in Duluth, Georgia. Willows leads all ECHL rookies in point scoring this season (55) and is fifth among rookies in goals (21) and tied for fourth in assists (34). Between the pipes, Anthony Peters ranks seventh among ECHL netminders with a 2.20 goals-against-average. He is also fourth in minutes played (2,372) and fifth in wins (24).

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

The Swamp Rabbits have added rookie forward Tommy Thompson to their lineup, who signed an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) with the club this afternoon. The 25-year-old spent each of the last four seasons at St. Lawrence University and ranked fifth on the team in scoring as a senior earlier this year (23 points in 37 games). Overall, Thompson recorded 26 goals and 31 assists for 57 points in 141 collegiate games. He will wear #8 with the Swamp Rabbits and is expected to make his professional debut this weekend.

JACK'D UP

Veteran scoring threat Jack Combs has been on a tear lately. Following another two-goal performance in Orlando on Wednesday, Combs has notched five goals in his last three appearances and boasts eight points (5g, 3a) during that span. The 28-year-old forward leads Greenville with 23 goals and 13 multi-point games this season, and is currently on a four-game point streak dating back to last Friday. In addition, Combs is on a three-game goal streak and three-game assist streak.

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS

The Swamp Rabbits' power play has drastically heated up over the last 10 games, dating back to Feb. 28 at Brampton. Greenville has gone 11-for-39 (28.2%) during that span, lifting the club to eighth in the league at home and tied for 16th overall. The Swamp Rabbits are 18-6-5 when scoring at least once on the man advantage in a game this season.

FREE HOCKEY

Two of the Swamp Rabbits last four 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

Josh Nicholls has 11 points (5g, 6a) in his last 12 contests... Brian Hart has scored in three of his last six games (3g)... The Swamp Rabbits have scored first in three of their last four contests and have not trailed after two periods in four straight games.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (42-24-8, 2nd Metropolitan): Next at Montreal - Tomorrow, 7 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (35-27-3, T-5th Atlantic): Next vs. Bridgeport - Tonight, 7:15 p.m. ET

PARTY AT PALMETTO

The Swamp Rabbits' Official Road Watch Party Destination, the Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House, located at 103 E. Beacon Drive in Greenville, will carry the live video stream of both games this weekend. Fans are encouraged to come out wearing their Swamp Rabbits apparel and join members of the front office in rooting on the team during its playoff push. Tonight's broadcast will begin at 7:15 p.m. and Saturday's will start at 6:45 p.m.

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).

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics

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