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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Fall Despite Fleming's Two Goals

March 26, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Estero, FL - Scott Fleming scored twice and added an assist on Saturday, but the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-28-9), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, dropped a 5-3 decision to the Florida Everblades (42-21-2) in their series finale at Germain Arena.

Florida earned the win with a pair of power-play goals in the third period including Matt Marquardt's game-winner past the seven-minute mark. It was Greenville's fourth loss in a row (0-3-1), but the Swamp Rabbits stayed alive in the playoff picture. The club is nine points behind eighth-place Elmira for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with six games remaining.

The Swamp Rabbits scored first for the second straight night when Josh Nicholls buried his 18th goal of the season just 3:03 into the first period. Justin DaSilva created the chance with a heavy wrist shot from the blue line that goaltender Rasmus Tirronen turned back. The rebound immediately fell to the crease where Fleming nudged to it to Nicholls who punched it home just inside the left post.

Florida responded with a trio of goals to capture a 3-1 advantage after the opening frame. Brendan O'Donnell evened the game at the 7:09 mark when he snuck behind the Swamp Rabbits' defense and waited for a pass from Matt Willows. In the right circle, Willows slipped a centering feed to O'Donnell, alone at the doorstep, for a one-time shot past Mackenzie Skapski.

Kevin Lynch put the Everblades on top with his 18th goal of the season less than five minutes later. Lynch gathered the puck and moved down the right wing before he beat Skapski's blocker from the circle at 12:08. Jon DiSalvatore made it 3-1 at the 18:44 mark when he received a pass from Gabriel Desjardins and found the back of the net with a low shot from the right hash marks for his eighth goal of the season.

Greenville stormed back in the second period to tie the game at 3-3 courtesy of Fleming's two-goal frame. Fleming's first tally came just 42 seconds in when he capitalized on a loose puck from the left post. From the right point, Charlie Dodero ripped a snap shot that was redirected to the post by Jack Combs in front, where Fleming pushed home his 19th goal of the season. With the goal, Fleming extended his point streak to six straight games overall and now has at least one point in seven straight road games dating back to Feb. 28.

Fleming's second goal came at the 17:44 mark when he called for a pass from Nicholls in the trapezoid and finished it past Tirronen's blocker. Nicholls' feed was right on target and Fleming knocked home another quick shot from the left post.

Marquardt's game-winning, power-play goal came at 7:36 of the third period with Nicholls in the box for goaltender interference. From the top of the slot, Chase Golightly brushed a pass to Marquardt in the right circle where the Florida captain smashed a one-timer past Skapski's glove for this 13th tally of the season.

Golightly capped the scoring with a power-play goal of his own at 10:04, which also marked his first professional goal. From the top of the slot, the Robert Morris University product beat Skapski with a wrist shot for the 5-3 final with Combs in the box for slashing.

The contest included a pair of second-period fights: Kodie Curran vs. Rob Florentino (10:10) and Andrew Dommett vs. Carter Sandlak (16:17).

The Swamp Rabbits finished the game 0-for-1 on the power play and 3-for-5 on the penalty kill. Skapski made 30 saves but suffered the loss, while Tirronen halted 21 shots for his third straight victory. Florida outshot Greenville for the second consecutive night, 35-24.

Greenville finished the season 4-6-1 against the Everblades.

Next Time Out: The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday to face the Kalamazoo Wings for the first time since the 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs. It's Thirsty Thursday presented by Greenville Pharmaceutical Research, featuring $2 domestic draft beers from 6-8 p.m. and $2 hot dogs, pretzels and soft drinks all night long. Limited $5 tickets are also available at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena box office while supplies last, or by clicking here or calling 864-674-PUCK when purchasing at least four (4). Doors open at 6 p.m. and the puck drops at 7 p.m. Fans can stream all of the live action via ECHL.TV or the free Mixlr audio feed.

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