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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Swamp Rabbits Head Down I-85 to Face Atlanta Tonight

January 16, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (18-14-6), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, open a stretch of three straight games against the Atlanta Gladiators (23-12-2) this evening with a 7:05 p.m. faceoff at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, GA. Greenville enters tonight's contest with points in 10 of its last 12 games, but is coming off a 3-2 loss to the Alaska Aces on Thursday at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Darian Dziurzynski and Richard Nejezchleb, in his first game back from injury, each scored for the Swamp Rabbits, while Allen York halted a career-high 44 shots in net. With the setback, Greenville has not won in regulation since December 29 at Adirondack, a span of seven straight games. However, the club is unbeaten in regulation on the road since December 26 at Atlanta (4-0-1).    

THE MATCHUP

Today's game marks the seventh of 15 meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Gladiators this season, and the second of seven matchups in Duluth. Greenville is currently 2-3-1 against the Gladiators this season including a 3-2 overtime loss in their last outing on Dec. 27. Glads' captain and leading scorer Derek Nesbitt set the tone that night with a pair of points (1g, 1a), while Matt Register sealed the deal with the overtime winner at the 2:52 mark. It was the fourth time in six games this season the two clubs have been separated by just one goal. Greenville went 9-2-0 against Atlanta last season and leads the all-time series 43-27-6.

VIEW FROM DULUTH

Head coach Andy Brandt's club enters tonight's game ranked second in the South Division with 48 points, seven behind Florida and five ahead of South Carolina. The Gladiators are coming off a 4-1 victory against the Stingrays last night in which the club scored three times in the third period, including two goals from defenseman Matt Register. The win was Atlanta's second in a row and improved the team to 7-2-1 in its last 10 games. Offensively, Register is now tied for eighth among ECHL defenseman with 22 points (6g, 16a), while captain Derek Nesbitt also netted a goal last night, and now leads all ECHL skaters with 19 goals this season.

KILLING IT ON THE KILL

The Swamp Rabbits penalty kill has come to life over the last seven games, going 19-for-21 during that span (90.5%) and improving to 24th in the league. Greenville's penalty kill currently stands at 78.9% this season, up from 75.6% on December 2, when it was ranked last in the ECHL.

FREE HOCKEY

Seven of Greenville's last 10 games have been decided beyond regulation, including two of the team's three contests last weekend. The Swamp Rabbits are a perfect 4-0 in shootouts this season and 2-6 when the game is decided in overtime.

ROOKIE SENSATION

First-year forward Richard Nejezchleb returned to the lineup on Thursday after missing four games with an upper-body injury. The Czech Republic native picked up right where he left off with an acrobatic third-period goal against Alaska, extending his point streak to four games (3g, 2a) and giving Nejezchleb eight points (5g, 3a) in his last seven contests. In addition, the 21-year-old is currently on a five-game point streak on the road dating back to December 12.

AS CLOSE AS IT GETS

Each of Greenville's last 10 games have been decided by two goals or less, while nine of those contests have been decided by just one tally. The Swamp Rabbits are 10-5-6 in one-goal games this season and 2-2-0 when the contest is decided by two goals.  

QUICK HITS

Jordan Knackstedt is two goals from his 100th professional goal... Last Saturday's 2-1 victory against Florida was the first time Greenville has won this season when scoring two goals or fewer (1-11-4)... Greenville has scored two goals or fewer in four straight games and six of its last 10.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (23-15-5, 3rd Metropolitan): Next at Philadelphia - Today 1 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (17-19-2, 6th Atlantic): Next at Lehigh Valley - Tonight, 7:05 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 tonight'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

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