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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Rally Falls Short as K-Wings Clip Swamp Rabbits in Overtime

April 1, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Greenville, SC - Jack Combs scored twice for the third time in the last five games on Thursday, helping the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-29-10), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, battle back from a pair of two-goal deficits, but Evan McEneny notched the game-winning goal in the final second of overtime as the Kalamazoo Wings (34-28-5) earned a 4-3 win at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Lane Scheidl matched Combs with two goals of his own for Kalamazoo, while the Swamp Rabbits earned a point with just 15 skaters in the lineup. However, the overtime loss eliminated Greenville from playoff contention and dropped the club to 0-3-2 in its last five games. The Wings improved their winning streak to five games.

Following a scoreless opening frame, Kalamazoo grabbed a 1-0 lead at 10:15 of the second period with a shorthanded goal from Scheidl. Brett Ponich cleared the puck from the right corner of the Wings' zone by banking it off the left half-wall, which set up a breakaway opportunity for Scheidl. In transition, he chased down the loose puck and buried a forehand shot past Mackenzie Skapski's blocker from the slot.

The Wings doubled their advantage when Scheidl scored his second goal of the game, and 16th of the season, with a power-play tally in the final four seconds of the middle frame. With Justin DaSilva in the box for roughing, Skapski slowed an initial shot by McEneny from the high slot, but the puck fell to the blue paint where Scheidl knocked it in at the 15:56 mark.

The Swamp Rabbits responded with three goals in the third period, beginning with Scott Fleming's 21st tally of the season at 5:11. Josh Nicholls created the chance when he captured the puck in the trapezoid and centered a pass to Combs at the right hash marks. Combs skated to the left post, delayed and shuffled a feed to Fleming at the doorstep, where the third-year pro, in his 200th professional game, pushed home a quick shot. The goal also extended Fleming's point streak to a team-best seven games (4g, 8a).

Kalamazoo regained its two-goal advantage at 10:37 when Justin Taylor registered his 22nd goal of the season. The reigning Sher-Wood Hockey ECHL Player of the Week, Ludwig Blomstrand, led a 3-on-2 rush in transition and left the puck for a trailing Taylor in the slot, who elevated a shot over Skapski's left shoulder and dropped it in off the crossbar.

The pendulum continued to swing in the final eight minutes of regulation as the Combs notched two goals to even the game. His first came at the 12:00 mark when Combs capitalized on a second-chance opportunity from the doorstep following Tyler Elbrecht's shot in the right circle that was turned back by goaltender Joel Martin.

Combs' team-leading 26th tally of the season knotted the game at 3-3 with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. At even strength, Fleming fired a wrist shot on target that Combs tipped past Martin's blocker from the left post at 18:13. Combs now has 14 points (8g, 6a) in his last six games, a team-leading 15 multi-point games this season and is on a six-game point streak. In addition, Combs has scored in five of his last six contests overall.

The Swamp Rabbits had their chances in overtime, including a two-minute power play with Eric Kattelus in the box for tripping. However, McEneny registered the game-winner with only tenths of a second remaining when he forehanded a shot from between the circles that Skapski knocked down, but could not cover.  

Greenville finished the game 0-for-3 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. Skapski (5-13-5) made 39 saves in the loss, while Martin (32-21-4) halted 43 shots to earn the victory.

Greenville outshot Kalamazoo 46-43.

Next Time Out: The Swamp Rabbits return to action tomorrow at 7 p.m. for the middle game of a three-game set against Kalamazoo at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Fans can follow all of the live action via the Mixlr audio stream or ECHL.TV. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a one-of-a-kind Swamp Rabbits T-shirt. In addition, Greenville News Family Fun Packs are also available for tomorrow's game and include four (4) red level tickets, four (4) soft drinks, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips and two (2) foam fingers for $60. Get yours now!

Craft Beer Night is this Saturday when the Swamp Rabbits host the Kalamazoo Wings in their penultimate home game. 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 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). Tickets to the tasting party must be purchased before Noon on Saturday.

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