Swamp Rabbits Fall to Solar Bears 5-2
Published on February 6, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release
Orlando, FL - The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (22-19-6), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, completed their five-game road trip on Saturday with a 5-2 loss to the Orlando Solar Bears (18-19-6) at the Amway Center.
Vinny Saponari and Josh Nicholls each scored on special teams for Geenville, while Ryan Massa halted 38 shots between the pipes for Orlando.
The Solar Bears opened up a 2-0 lead after the first 20 minutes with a pair of even-strength goals from T.J. Foster and Nicklas Lindberg. Foster began the scoring at the 10:59 mark when he gained the blue line, turned on the burners and cut through the left circle around Greenville's defense. There, he placed a low shot through Mackenzie Skapski's five-hole for his 17th goal of the season.
Lindberg increased the advantage at 19:47 with his third tally of the season. From above the left hash marks, Lindberg pushed home a one-time shot with Brady Vail shielding Skapski from the doorstep.
Greenville bounced back with a power-play goal from Saponari in the middle frame. Following a two-minute minor to Rylan Schwartz for hooking, Kodie Curran let go of a drive from the perimeter that was stopped, but the rebound fell to left post where Saponari elevated a shot over Massa's right leg pad for his third tally of the season.
The Solar Bears sealed the deal with three goals in the third period en route to their first home win since January 2. Jack Rodewald made it 3-1 at the 7:53 mark when he completed a 2-on-1 rush with his seventh goal of the season. Lindberg carried the puck down the left wing and set up Rodewald at the right post for the eventual game-winning goal.
Nicholls cut the deficit to one for a second time with a shorthanded goal less than four minutes later. On a bizarre play, Fleming was denied a breakaway chance with a left leg pad save from Massa following a backhand shot from the doorstep. Massa then attempted to cover the puck but the whistle never blew, and Nicholls continued the attack by punching home a second-chance effort at 11:51.
Matt Rupert made it 4-2 with a power-play tally at the 13:30 mark from Johnny McInnis and Eric Baier. From the blue line, Baier wound up and fired a blast on target the was stopped by Skapski, but the rebound bounced directly to Rupert who roofed a top-shelf shot on the backhand for his ninth goal of the season.
Vail capped the scoring with an empty netter at the 18:56 mark for the 5-2 final.
The contest included one tilt when Tyler Elbrecht and Zach Bell dropped the gloves on the draw to begin the second period.
Greenville finished the game 1-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. Skapski made 28 saves in the setback, while the Swamp Rabbits outshot the Solar Bears 40-31.
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