ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Can't Solve Vanecek in 4-0 Loss

Published on March 10, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Greenville, SC - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (26-25-7), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, opened a four-game homestand on Thursday with a 4-0 setback to the South Carolina Stingrays (34-18-5) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Stingrays' goaltender Vitek Vanecek halted all 28 shots he faced, while Marcus Perrier scored twice for the visitors.

The loss was Greenville's fourth in a row to South Carolina and dropped the club to 12-11-6 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. It also snapped the Swamp Rabbits' two-game win streak and dropped the club to fifth place in the South Division, one point behind Orlando.

Ryan Ruikka's first professional goal stood as the game-winner as the Stingrays' claimed a 1-0 lead at 15:41 of the second period. Patrick Gaul created the attack when he captured a loose puck at the red line and skated to the trapezoid behind Greenville's net. There, he found Ruikka at the right point where the rookie directed a low shot through traffic and inside the left post past Mackenzie Skapski's right leg pad.

The Stingrays added another tally just 1:44 later courtesy of Kelly Zajac's second goal of the season. Quick tic-tac-toe passing between Joe Devin and Austin Fyten down the left wing provided Zajac with a prime opportunity at the doorstep. He beat Skapski inside the right post with a one-timer at the 17:25 mark.

South Carolina insured its advantage with a pair of goals from Marcus Perrier in the final frame. The second-year pro notched his first at the 1:42 mark, when he received David Pacan's pass from the left half-wall and jammed the puck home on a second effort from the blue paint.

Perrier scored again and recorded his eighth goal of the season at 5:20 to provide the final margin. At even strength, Jared Staal directed a short pass to the left circle for Gaul, who pointed it to Perrier in the low slot. There, Perrier one-timed the puck past the right leg pad of Skapski to make it 4-0.

The game included one fight at 15:22 of the first period when Tyler Elbrecht challenged Perrier following a high hit to Scott Fleming.  

Greenville finished the game 0-for-4 on the power play and 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. Skapski (4-11-2) stopped 37 of the 41 shots he faced in the setback.

Next Time Out: The Swamp Rabbits return to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tomorrow night with a 7 p.m. puck drop against the Florida Everblades. It's the annual Stick It To Cancer game, aimed at raising awareness and gathering funds to benefit several Upstate charities. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack is also available featuring four (4) red level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, (4) soft drinks and two (2) foam fingers for just $60. Get yours by calling the Swamp Rabbits front office at 864-674-PUCK or by CLICKING HERE. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Superhero Night: The Swamp Rabbits will wear specialty Batman-themed jerseys on Saturday for Superhero Night at 7 p.m. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off following the game live on the ice to those in attendance only. In addition, some of the most popular superheroes including Batman, Superman, Captain America and Wonder Woman will be available for pictures and autographs throughout the game on the concourse. Families can take advantage of a great ticket special through the GSP Airport Fun Zone, which offers discounted adult tickets for just $10 and up to four (4) complementary kid's tickets in section 119. CLICK HERE for more information or to purchase the deal.

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ECHL Stories from March 10, 2016


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