ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Fall to Orlando in Season Opener

Published on October 17, 2015 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Orlando, FL - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, fell to the Orlando Solar Bears, 6-3, in the season opener on Saturday at the Amway Center. Solar Bears' forward Matt Rupert scored twice, while Jack Combs, Scott Fleming and Emerson Clark netted the goals for Greenville.

Brady Vail lifted Orlando to an early lead with a power play goal in the first three minutes. With Michael St. Croix in the box for high-sticking just 1:05 into the contest, Jack Rodewald slipped a pass to Vail in front, who beat goaltender Allen York at the 2:56 mark.

The Solar Bears extended their lead at 9:06 of the opening frame when Johnny McInnis funneled a pass through Greenville's defense to the back post, where Rupert collected and finished on the blocker side of York.

Greenville cut its deficit to one just over five minutes later on another back door pass. From the top of the left circle, St. Croix slowed and filtered a diagonal pass to Combs, who collected the puck through the hash marks and beat netminder Rob Madore blocker side on a backhand shot from the bottom of the right circle. St. Croix and Kodie Curran recorded the helpers.

Brett Findlay registered the only tally of the middle frame to regain the Solar Bears' two-goal advantage. Moving down the left wing with speed, Findlay wristed a shot on target that York knocked aside, but the second-chance bounced right back to the Orlando forward for his first goal of the season at the 7:30 mark.

Rupert made it 4-1 with his second goal of the contest at 6:25 of the third period. However, the Swamp Rabbits stormed back with a pair of goals in a span of four minutes to cut the deficit to one for a second time. At the 7:07 mark, rookie defenseman Troy Donnay wristed a shot from the right point that Fleming tipped from the doorstep to make it 4-2. Clark continued the momentum when he gained the zone down the left wing and cut towards the net, finishing on the backhand past Madore's blocker. Charlie Dodero earned the only assist.

With just under three minutes left in regulation, the Swamp Rabbits received a golden opportunity to even the score when Brenden Miller was called for slashing. However, Vail and Eric Baier teamed up on a shorthanded two-on-one rush into Greenville's zone that ultimate gave Baier his first goal of the season at the 17:45 mark to make it 5-3.

T.J. Foster capped the scoring at 18:51 of the third period with a shorthanded empty netter.

Between the pipes, Madore (1-0-0) made 23 saves in the victory while York (0-1-0) stopped 24 shots in the loss. The Swamp Rabbits finished the contest 0-for-2 on the power play and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill.

Orlando outshot Greenville 30-26.

The Swamp Rabbits open the home portion of the 2015-16 season next Friday, October 23 with a 7:00 p.m. puck drop against the South Carolina Stingrays. Opening Night tickets start at just $10 when purchased prior to game day and the first 2,000 fans at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena will receive a free car magnet. The $10 ticket special will not be available at the box office on October 23. To purchase this ticket special or for more information visit SwampRabbits.com. Ticket plans for the inaugural season of the Swamp Rabbits' era are also available and start as low as $81! Call an Account Executive today at 864-674-PUCK to secure your seats!

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ECHL Stories from October 17, 2015


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