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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Return Favor in 2-1 Victory

January 30, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Estero, FL - "Two" was the magic number on Saturday as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (21-18-6), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, scored a pair of unanswered goals in the second period to defeat the Florida Everblades (30-12-1), 2-1, at Germain Arena. Andrew Dommett and Joe Houk each netted their second goals of the season for Greenville, while Florida suffered its first regulation loss since January 2.

Between the pipes, Mackenzie Skapski (4-5-3) halted 25 of the 26 shots he faced to backstop the Swamp Rabbits to their seventh victory in the last 10 road games.

Veteran forward Jon DiSalvatore put the Everblades on top just 3:31 into the first period with his third goal of the season. Matt Marquardt carried the puck down the left wing, picked up speed, and created a late-breaking 2-on-1 rush, before slipping a backdoor feed to DiSalvatore at the right post for a one-time redirection.

However, in a reversal of fortune from Friday, the Swamp Rabbits bounced back with a pair of unanswered goals in the middle frame to take the lead for good. Dommett tied the game at the 7:33 mark when Florida's Mark Nemec fell at center ice, allowing Dommett to skate alone down the left wing. There, he called for the puck from Jordan Knackstedt, received a pass, and placed a snap shot high blocker side on goaltender Anthony Peters. Knackstedt and Houk each recorded a helper.

Knackstedt added another assist on the game-winner when he set up Houk in the Everblades' zone at the 16:15 mark. From the right side, Knackstedt crossed the blue line, slowed, and guided a pass to Houk in the center of the zone, where the second-year defenseman reached back and let go of a perfectly placed wrist shot inside the left post.

The game also featured two bouts including Tyler Elbrecht vs. Carter Sandlak at 6:17 of the second period and Troy Donnay vs. Rob Florentino at 9:55 of the final frame.

Greenville finished the contest 0-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. Peters made 14 saves for Florida as the Everblades held the Swamp Rabbits to their lowest shot total of the season (16).

It was Greenville's first regular-season win at Germain Arena since January 29, 2014.

On Deck: The Swamp Rabbits continue a five-game road trip on Thursday with a 7 p.m. puck drop against the Orlando Solar Bears at the Amway Center. Fans can follow all of the live action via ECHL.TV or the free Mixlr audio stream. The Official Road Watch Party Destination, Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House located at 103 E. Beacon Drive in Greenville, will also stream the game live beginning at 7 p.m.

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics

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ECHL Stories from January 30, 2016


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