ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Preview: Swamp Rabbits Seek Four Points against Atlanta this Weekend

Published on December 26, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (13-12-3), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, return from Christmas break this weekend to the face the Atlanta Gladiators (16-10-1) in a home-and-home series. The two-game set kicks off tonight at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, Georgia and concludes on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink tomorrow afternoon. The Swamp Rabbits enter the weekend on a two-game winning streak and with points in four of their last five games overall following a 7-4 victory over Orlando last Sunday. Jack Combs (2g, 1a), who was initially credited with a hat trick before his first goal was changed to Josh Nicholls, still impressed by producing his team-leading eighth multi-point game this season. Nicholls (1g, 3a) and Michael St. Croix (3a) also made big contributions as Greenville exploded for a season-high seven goals. The club has scored a whopping 13 goals in its last two games combined.

ESCOBEDO RETURNS

Third-year defenseman Sean Escobedo was returned from loan to AHL Hartford this afternoon and is expected to be in the lineup this evening against Atlanta. The 25-year-old has earned 11 points (1g, 10a) in 26 games with the Swamp Rabbits this season and was one of just two players to appear in every one of the team's games prior to his call-up on Dec. 15. Last season, Escobedo recorded 19 points (3g, 16a) in 61 games and led all Greenville defenseman with a +8 rating. He has played two games with Hartford this season.

THE MATCHUP

Tonight's game marks the fifth of 15 meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Gladiators this season, and the second of seven matchups in Duluth. Atlanta currently leads the series 3-1-0, although two of Greenville's three losses have been decided by just one goal. In their last meeting on Nov. 23, Max Everson (1g, 1a) and Derek Nesbitt (1g, 1a) each collected two points en route to a 4-3 Atlanta win at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Swamp Rabbits went 9-2-0 against the Gladiators last season and lead the all-time series 42-27-5. Atlanta will be Greenville's most common opponent in 2015-16.

VIEW FROM DULUTH

Led by head coach Andy Brandt, the Gladiators have won six of their last eight games overall and each of their last three at home, dating back to Nov. 23. The club is currently tied for second in the South Division with South Carolina (33 points), nine points behind Florida. Despite Atlanta's recent success, the team was shut out 4-0 in its last outing against Fort Wayne on Monday. Komets' goaltender Pat Nagle was the difference with 21 saves on 21 shots. The Gladiators are led in point scoring by their captain Derek Nesbitt with 25 points (13g, 12a). The 33-year-old is also in a tie for 13th in the league's overall point scoring race. In addition, Nesbitt leads the league with five game-winning goals. Ten of Atlanta's next 12 games will take place at home.  

JACK'D UP

Elite scorer Jack Combs posted another impressive performance last weekend, scoring three goals and adding two assists in a pair of games against Orlando. That success bumped Combs (30 points) into a tie for second in the league's overall scoring race , placing him just eight points behind former teammate Chad Costello (Allen) for the league lead. In addition, the 27-year-old is currently on a team-best five-game point streak (5g, 4a) and has scored in four straight contests at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena (5g), dating back to Dec. 10. Combs leads Greenville in goals (14), assists (16) and points (30).  

SOUND OF MUSICO

Penn State product P.J. Musico has been a steady presence in the Greenville net this season and continues to turn heads as the season rolls on. The 25-year-old rookie leads all Swamp Rabbits' goaltenders with six wins and is currently 16th among league netminders with a 2.46 goals-against-average. Musico is also 3-1-0 on the road this season with an impressive 1.75 goals-against-average in five appearances.  

GOING STREAKING

Forwards Jack Combs, Joey Holka and Bretton Cameron have each scored in two straight games heading into the Christmas holiday. For Holka, the two goals are his first with the club this season after he began the year with the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). Holka was nearly a point-per-game player in the SPHL with 12 points (5g, 7a) in 13 contests. In addition, Cameron is now ranked third on the team in goal-scoring (9) and fourth on the squad in points (18). The 26-year-old captain played his 300th ECHL game last Sunday.  

NEWS AND NOTES

Darian Dziurzynski is on a five-game point streak on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink (1g, 5a)... Jordan Knackstedt collected his 250th professional point on Saturday... Greenville has eclipsed the six-goal mark seven times this season, and six times since Nov. 25 alone... The Swamp Rabbits are 13-2-2 when scoring at least three goals, 11-1-1 when scoring at least once on the power play and 9-1-1 when leading after the second period... Five of the Swamp Rabbits next six games will take place on the road.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (20-12-4, 2nd Metropolitan): Next at Nashville - Monday, 8 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (12-15-2, 8th Atlantic): Next at Binghamton - Tonight, 7:05 p.m. ET

SUNDAY FUNDAY

The LAST Sunday home game of the season is tomorrow afternoon when the Swamp Rabbits rematch against Atlanta at 3 p.m. Take advantage of great savings with the Greenville News Family Fun Pack and enjoy a post-game skate with the ENTIRE team. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack features four (4) red-level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) fountain drinks and two (2) Swamp Rabbits' foam fingers for just $60! Following the game, all fans are encouraged to stick around and skate with the team on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. The club will also wear its specialty New York Rangers style uniforms.

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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ECHL Stories from December 26, 2015


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