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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Final Trip Across State Opens Weekend

March 9, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


RABBIT TALES

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (20-32-6-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, travel across the state of South Carolina to meet their rival, the South Carolina Stingrays (37-12-6-1) at 7:05 p.m. tonight. Tonight, is Greenville's 10th game against the Stingrays out of 12 scheduled this year. The intrastate rivalry season series has reached a 2-4-2-1 record. The Stingrays clinched a position in the 2018 Kelly Cup Playoffs on Tuesday night, topping Greenville in overtime 4-3. The Swamp Rabbits have pushed three of the last five games to overtime and are 11-15-3-0 on the road this season.

FIRST CALL UP

Defenseman Brenden Kotyk will not be with the Swamp Rabbits on their trip to North Charleston, South Carolina after earning his first career call up on Thursday to the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Regina, Saskatchewan native has notched 17 points (7G, 10A) in 51 games as a rookie and is third on the Swamp Rabbits blue line in scoring. The 6-foot-5 defender signed his first pro contract after wrapping up his NCAA career with University of Minnesota-Duluth. Kotyk helped his alma mater capture the 2017 NCHC Championship while serving as the team's alternate captain. In 97 games over three seasons, he accumulated 23 points (7G, 16A).

ENEMIES TO TEAMMATES

Three-time Goaltender of the Year, Jeff Jakaitis was also called up to the Hartford Wolf Pack this week, marking a stint with his sixth team in the AHL. Jakaitis' returned to the ECHL after playing two seasons overseas and has posted a 15-6-2-0 record, 2.17 goals against average, and .920 save percentage. The 11th-year pro out of Lake Superior State University has posted a pair of shutouts in his return season. The Rochester, Minnesota native last appearance in the AHL came with the Providence Bruins in 2014.

LOTS OF EXTRA HOCKEY

This season, Greenville and South Carolina have needed overtime to decide four of their nine games. The Swamp Rabbits are 1-3 in those games but have played six one-goal games against the Stingrays this year. In addition, three of Greenville's last five games have gone to overtime. The rivalry has always been close between the clubs with an overall record of 50-51-10 in eight years. In 111 contests between the intrastate rivals, there have been 29 games extended to overtime or a shootout (26%) meaning one in every four games will required extra time.

LEED-US-ALL

Forward Dawson Leedahl broke out on Tuesday night against the Stingrays, recording his third three-point night. The rookie leads the Swamp Rabbits active roster against South Carolina with six points (3G, 3A) in four games. The winger from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan has averaged a point per game in the ECHL through 20 games (9G, 11A). Leedahl ranks sixth among all ECHL rookies in points per game (at least 10 games played).

A JAZZY-BASS LINE

Greenville's top scoring rookie Evan Jasper notched three assists on Tuesday night, his team leading 12th multi-point game. Jasper ranks 10th among all rookies this season with 41 points (16G, 25A). His center Joe Basaraba also added a pair of assists to the cause, reaching 40 points (16G, 24A) in a season for the second time in his career. The pair of skaters have logged a majority of Greenville offense this season, ranking second and third on the club in scoring.

CARROT BITES

Defenseman Matt Prapavessis notched his fourth goal of the year and 11th career tally with Greenville. He ranks sixth among all defensemen in franchise history with 53 points (11G, 42A).

Sean Flanagan and Garret Clemment both on a three-game point streak on the road, combining for six points (2G, 4A).

Kelly Zajac and Taylor Cammarata lead the Stingrays with five goals each against Greenville.

Tonight is Greenville's final trip to North Charleston this season. The Swamp Rabbits are 1-2-1-0 this season at the Coliseum and 23-28-2-3 in franchise history.

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