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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Swamp Rabbits Meet Gladiators in Two Games this Weekend

March 5, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (24-24-7), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, return to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tonight to face the Atlanta Gladiators (29-20-7) in their first of six home games during the month of March. Greenville is in desperate need of a win after dropping each of its last six contests (0-5-1) and falling into a tie for 11th in the Eastern Conference, seven points behind Elmira for the final playoff spot. The Swamp Rabbits are coming off of a 4-3 loss to the Brampton Beast on Sunday in which Garett Bembridge, Ryan Rashid and Andrew Dommett each scored. However, Brampton responded with three goals in a span of 4:26 in the third period and held on for the victory. Greenville has not lost seven straight games since a stretch that spanned Jan. 23 through Feb. 10 of last season.

SCOUT NIGHT

Tonight is Scout Night presented by Duke Energy featuring discounted lower bowl tickets for all scout groups! Scout tickets can be purchased by calling the Swamp Rabbits' front office at 864-674-PUCK (7825). Special edition Scout Night patches are also available at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for just $1.

THE MATCHUP

Tonight's game marks the 10th of 15 meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Gladiators this season, and the sixth of eight matchups at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Atlanta leads the series 6-2-1 and has won three of the last four meetings, including a 6-2 victory in the last matchup on Jan. 19, in which the Gladiators top line of Garry Nunn (2g, 2a), Thomas Frazee (1g, 3a) and Derek Nesbitt (1g, 3a) combined for 12 points. Greenville went 9-2-0 against Atlanta last season and continues to lead the all-time series 44-29-6. Four of the Swamp Rabbits' next seven games will take place against the Glads.

VIEW FROM DULUTH

Head coach Andy Brandt's club is winless in regulation in four straight games and enters tonight's contest third in the South Division standings, and sixth in the Eastern Conference overall. Atlanta is also on a two-game losing streak including a 4-2 home ice setback last night to South Carolina. Brock Higgs and Garry Nunn both scored for the Gladiators, but Joey Leach stole the show late in the third period to lift the 'Rays to victory. Veteran forward and Glads' captain Derek Nesbitt also earned an assist and continues to rank among the league leaders in goals (tied for fourth with 24), points (tied for 10th with 50), shots (third with 186) and game-winning goals (tied for first with 8). Atlanta continues a three-games-in-three-days series in the South Division tonight.

PARTY DOWN SOUTH

Each of Greenville's next 11 games will take place in the South Division, running all the way through March 26. The Swamp Rabbits will play all four division opponents during that span including Atlanta (4x), Florida (4x), South Carolina (2x) and Orlando (1x). Greenville is 15-13-5 against division foes this season, better than the club was in the division last season when it went 16-17-3 against those teams through February.  

WRONG KIND OF STREAK

The Swamp Rabbits are on a six-game losing streak (0-5-1) dating back to Feb. 19, tied for the team's longest skid this season. The club has been outscored 24-11 during that span. Greenville also dropped six straight games from Oct. 30 - Nov. 8, but recovered to win six of its next nine contests. The Swamp Rabbits will look to respond in the same way this month during their most critical stretch of the season.    

WELCOME BACK, JACK

High-scoring veteran Jack Combs was returned to Greenville from Hartford on Tuesday, where he notched four points (2g, 2a) in 17 AHL games following his latest call-up on Dec. 27. Although away from the team since then, Combs continues to lead Greenville with 15 goals and is tied for second on the club in points (31). He ranked second in the league's scoring race overall at the time of his call-up and returns to the Swamp Rabbits on a four-game goal streak and six-game point streak (6g, 4a) dating back to Dec. 10.

QUICK HITS

The Swamp Rabbits have not won in regulation at home since Dec. 20, a span of 10 straight games... Justin DaSilva is tied for third among ECHL rookies with six major penalties... Josh Nicholls is on a three-game point streak (1g, 2a)... The Swamp Rabbits are fifth in the league with eight shorthanded goals this season... Greenville made nine total roster moves since its last game on Sunday, including deals that sent Darian Dziurzynski to Missouri and Jordan Knackstedt to Quad City for future considerations.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (38-21-6, 2nd Metro): Next vs. New York Islanders - Tomorrow, 5 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (29-26-2, 6th Atlantic): Next vs. Bridgeport - Tomorrow, 1 p.m. ET

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Florida Everblades (35-19-2) = 72 points in 56 games

2. South Carolina Stingrays (33-18-6) = 72 points in 57 games

3. Atlanta Gladiators (29-20-7) = 65 points in 56 games

4. Orlando Solar Bears (24-22-8) = 56 points in 54 games

5. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (24-24-7) = 55 points in 55 games

Taking Flight: Families can take their Swamp Rabbits' experience to new heights with the all-new GSP Airport Fun Zone package for tonight's game. At every Saturday home game through the end of the regular season, fans are encouraged to purchase discounted adult tickets for just $10 in the GSP Airport Fun Zone (Section 119) and receive up to four (4) complementary kids tickets courtesy of the Greenville Spartanburg International Airport. Seats are limited and can be purchased online through SwampRabbits.com!

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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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