ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Battle Back for a Point in OT Loss

November 17, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Greenville, S.C. - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (5-8-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, rallied back from a pair of three-goal deficits to earn a point in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Orlando Solar Bears (7-3-2) on Tuesday at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Scott Fleming scored twice with a pair of goals 20 seconds apart in the second period, while T.J. Foster buried the game-winner at 2:38 of the extra session. Orlando's Eric Faille also recorded two goals in the contest.

With the setback, the Swamp Rabbits fell to 4-4-0 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink this season.

The Solar Bears got off to a hot start, scoring four goals in the opening frame including three in the first 9:53 of the contest.

Orlando's first tally came on the power play courtesy of Brady Vail just 3:57 into the first period. After Ryan Rashid encountered a double minor for high sticking, the Solar Bears won the faceoff in the right circle and shared the puck around Greenville's zone before Brett Findlay found Vail in the right circle. From there, Vail unloaded a one-timer into the left side of the cage for a 1-0 lead and his sixth goal of the season.

Orlando doubled its advantage at the 6:13 mark of the first period, when Jack Rodewald intercepted a pass in the slot and elevated a wrist shot past the glove of goaltender Allen York for his third goal of the season. Minutes later, the Solar Bears strengthened their advantage on a one-timer from Faille at the 9:53 mark. Faille collected the puck in the left circle, skated to the trapezoid and advanced back toward the goal. There, he hesitated and slipped the puck underneath York for a 3-0 lead.

Michael St. Croix put the Swamp Rabbits on the board at the 11:25 mark with his second goal of the season. Richard Nejezchleb created the attack when he entered the zone and fed the puck to Curran on the left wing. From there, Curran directed a quick pass to St. Croix in the crease where he lifted the puck on the backhand past a sprawling Rob Madore.  

In the waning minutes of the first period, Orlando notched its second power-play goal when Faille netted his second tally of the contest. With Sean Escobedo in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct, Sparks and Foster cycled the puck to Faille in the left circle, where he fired a one-timer past York to make it 4-1. York was pulled and replaced by Jeff Malcolm after the first 20 minutes.

The second period belonged to the Swamp Rabbits as the team rallied to tie the contest with three even-strength goals, including two in a span of 20 seconds. Josh Nicholls registered the first to make it 4-2 at the 2:29 mark. After beating Carl Nielsen in a race down the ice to collect a long pass from Bretton Cameron, Nicholls elevated a forehand shot over Madore's glove on a breakaway for his fifth goal of the season.

Fleming added to the second-period comeback with his fourth and fifth goals of the season. At the 17:34 mark, Darian Dziurzynski shuffled a pass to the low slot, where Fleming guided it inside the left post to bring Greenville within a goal. Fleming earned his second of the contest at 17:54 when he received a pass behind the goal line from Justin DaSilva and created a wraparound opportunity. Although his first effort didn't go, Fleming collected the rebound in the right circle, turned and wristed a forehand shot into the back of the net.

Max Nicastro regained Orlando's advantage at 3:20 of the third period when he produced a power-play tally for his first goal of the season. With Curran in the box for tripping, Nicastro unleashed a one-time slap shot from the top of the point that missed wide, but hopped off the end wall and redirected off a body in front to beat Malcolm.

However, the Swamp Rabbits answered just 91 seconds later when Ryan Rashid registered his third goal of the season. After Madore halted a pair of chances from the doorstep, the puck slid free to the left circle where Rashid sniped a turnaround shot into the top right corner over Madore's glove to even the game at 5-5.    

During the 3-on-3 overtime session, Foster sealed the deal at the 2:38 mark when he beat Malcolm on a blast from the blue line for his third goal of the season.

Greenville finished the game 0-for-4 on the power play and 1-for-4 on the penalty kill. Malcolm (2-1-1) made 16 saves on 18 shots in 42:38 of playing time and suffered the overtime loss, while York made seven saves on 11 shots. Madore (4-1-1) halted 44 shots in the win.

The Swamp Rabbits set a new season-high with 49 shots on goal. Orlando had 29.

Video Game Night: The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday with Video Game Night against the South Carolina Stingrays at 7 p.m. All fans are encouraged to dress up like their favorite video game character, while new and old video games will be available to play on the concourse. In addition, anyone in attendance can enter for a chance to play another fan on the jumbotron during the game. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack is also available featuring four (4) red-level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) soft drinks and two (2) foam fingers for just $60!

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 expanded to include a stop at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The deviated 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



ECHL Stories from November 17, 2015


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