ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Clash with Solar Bears Tonight

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


Date                         Time                Opponent              Location

Tues, Nov. 17           7 p.m.              vs. Orlando             Bon Secours Wellness Arena

THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (5-8-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, begin a three-game homestand tonight and conclude a stretch of four games in six days when they face the Orlando Solar Bears (6-3-2) at 7 p.m. at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Greenville enters the contest on a two-game winning streak at home after a pair of victories last week against Atlanta and Adirondack. However, the Swamp Rabbits fell in their last outing on Sunday with a 4-1 loss at Atlanta, in which the Gladiators scored twice on the power play and once shorthanded. Scott Fleming netted Greenville's only tally, while Jeff Malcolm stopped a season-high 44 shots in the setback. Tonight, the Swamp Rabbits go for their first three-game winning streak at home this season.

TUESDAY NIGHT SPECIAL

For tonight's game only, a "2-for-$7" concession special is being offered throughout the entire evening! All fans can take advantage of the deal and get two (2) soft drinks, two (2) hot dogs, or two (2) pretzels for just $7. Doors open at 6 p.m.

THE MATCHUP

Tonight's contest marks the second of nine meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears this season, and the first of five matchups in the Upstate. Orlando leads the series 1-0-0 after earning a 6-3 victory in the season opener on Oct. 17 at the Amway Center. Brady Vail led the way with four points (1g, 3a) for the Solar Bears, while eight different players collected a point for Orlando. Greenville went 5-3-2 against the Solar Bears last season (3-1-0 at home) and is 12-12-3 in the all-time series.

VIEW FROM ORLANDO

Led by first-year head coach Anthony Noreen, the Solar Bears are 6-3-2 through their first 11 games this season, good for fourth place in the South Division, four points ahead of Greenville. Orlando enters tonight's contest on a three-game point streak and is coming off a 2-1 shootout win last Saturday in North Charleston. Brett Findlay notched the Bears' only regulation goal against South Carolina that night, while Denver Manderson secured the win with the only shootout tally. Between the pipes, Rob Madore posted his third win of the season and improved to 14th among league netminders with a 2.43 goals-against-average. The Solar Bears continue a five-game road trip tonight that runs through Saturday, Nov. 21 in Cincinnati.

MR. 400

Seventh-year forward Jack Combs made his 400th professional appearance on Sunday when he took the ice in Atlanta. The 27-year-old has played 178 games in the ECHL, 144 in the AHL, as well as spending time in the Central Hockey League (CHL) and overseas. He has collected 388 points (184g, 204a) in his pro career including a team-leading 12 points (5g 7a) with Greenville this season, which earned him a call-up to AHL Hartford on Monday. In a related move, winger Richard Nejezchelb (pronounced: nigh-EZZ-kleb) was sent to Greenville.

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Nejezchelb, 21, was loaned to the Swamp Rabbits by AHL Hartford on Monday and is expected to make his ECHL debut tonight. A native of Prague, Czech Republic, Nejezchleb played 13 games with Hartford this season and collected one goal and eight penalty minutes. The rookie spent each of the last four seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Brandon Wheat Kings and Tri-City Americans. He ranked second on the Americans in scoring last season with 49 points in 47 games.

EMBRACING THE EXTRA MAN

Greenville's power play went 3-for-8 in a trio of games last week and improved to sixth in the league at home (26.3%). In addition, the Swamp Rabbits are a combined 4-0-0 when scoring at least once on the power play this season.

"KNACK" FOR THE GAME

One of three veterans on the Swamp Rabbits' roster, Jordan Knackstedt enjoyed a memorable performance last Thursday when he recorded an ECHL career-best four points (4a) in a 6-3 win against Atlanta. Knackstedt is scheduled to make his 400th professional appearance this Friday.

HE'S GOT "HART"

Rookie forward Brian Hart has scored in half of his professional games (6-for-12) and leads Greenville with six goals this season. He also sits third among league rookies in goal-scoring and notched his first pro game-winning goal in Saturday's 3-2 win against Adirondack.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (14-2-2, 1st Metropolitan): Next at Tampa Bay - Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (6-7-2, 6th Atlantic): Next at Utica - Friday, 7 p.m. ET

Video Game Night: The Swamp Rabbits will host Video Game Night this Friday when in-state rival South Carolina visits the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for a 7 p.m. puck drop. All fans are encouraged to dress up like their favorite video game character and a variety of vintage and current 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 available for this game 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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