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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Surrender 5-2 Loss to Kalamazoo

April 1, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Greenville, SC - Jack Combs and Joe Houk each scored on Friday, but the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-30-10), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, dropped a 5-2 decision to the Kalamazoo Wings (35-28-5) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Sacha Guimond led the way for the visitors with two goals, while Justin Taylor notched the game-winner early in the second period. Between the pipes, Kalamazoo's Joel Martin earned his league-leading 33rd win of the season and tied Dave Gagnon for fifth on the ECHL's all-time wins list with 155.  

Greenville's setback was its sixth in a row (0-4-2) and dropped the club to 13-13-8 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink this season. In contrast, Kalamazoo has now won six straight games and eight of its last nine.

The Wings came out firing and scored the first four goals of the contest, including two in the opening period from Guimond and Ludwig Blomstrand. Guimond made it 1-0 at the 11:04 mark with a second-chance effort for his fifth tally of the season. Alain Valiquette stopped an initial shot from between the circles by Tanner Sorenson, but Guimond capitalized on the rebound at the left hash marks and fired a heavy shot blocker side. Alex Mallet also earned an assist.

Kalamazoo added to its advantage on Blomstrand's team-leading 28th tally of the season at 16:25. Justin Kovacs created the chance after corralling the puck at the Wings' blue line and weaving through traffic into the offensive zone. After sliding a feed to Cory Pritz at the top of the right circle, Pritz continued it to the slot for Blomstrand, who skated to the doorstep and guided a forehand shot past Valiquette's right leg.

The visitors cushioned their margin in the second period, scoring two insurance goals in a span of 65 seconds. Taylor recorded his fifth goal in as many games at the 4:49 mark when his shot from the right circle beat Valiquette's glove during a 2-on-1 rush. Brett Ponich and Tyler Shattock assisted Taylor's 23rd goal of the season.

Guimond followed with his second goal of the contest to make it 4-0 at 5:54. Sorenson left a pass for Kovacs in the right circle, where the latter funneled a pass across the zone to Guimond. From the top of the left circle, Guimond sniped a shot past the glove of Valiquette for his sixth goal of the season. Valiquette was replaced by Mackenzie Skapski following the goal after allowing four tallies in a span of 25:54.

The Swamp Rabbits fought back with two goals in the middle frame to cut their deficit in half. Combs registered his ninth goal in the last seven games with a power-play tally at 12:22 as Charlie Vasaturo served a hooking minor. After Bembridge shuffled the puck through the left circle, Rashid relayed it across the low slot to Combs, where the veteran forward buried a one-time shot for his team-leading 27th goal of the season.

Greenville made it 4-2 courtesy of Houk's third tally of the season at the 17:52 mark. Combs began a rush into the offensive zone and left a drop-pass for Houk at the right hash marks where he unloaded a shot off a body in front and past Martin.

Shattock capped the scoring at 18:04 of the third period with an empty netter from the right wing. It was Shattock's 144th goal of the season, which yielded the 5-2 final.

Greenville finished the game 1-for-1 on the power play and penalty kill. Skapski stopped all seven shots he faced in 33:15 of relief work. Meanwhile, Martin made 28 saves for the win.

Greenville outshot Kalamazoo 30-25.

Craft Beer Night presented by Palmetto Medical Research Associates is tomorrow when the Swamp Rabbits battle Kalamazoo in a 7 p.m. rematch at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. All fans 21 and older are invited to sample delicious craft beers before and during the team's penultimate home contest. For just $35, the package includes:

- One (1) lower bowl, red level ticket

- Entry for one (1) to the Craft Beer Tasting in the beer garden from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

- $1 off craft beers purchased at select concession stands the duration of the game

- A souvenir gift and sampling glass

Already have a ticket to the game? Get into the craft beer tasting party and take advantage of all additional perks for just $24. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase food during the event at the special sausage bar & pretzel stations! For tickets to the craft beer tasting party, call the Swamp Rabbits front office at 864-674-PUCK (7825). Tickets to the pre-game party must be purchased by noon tomorrow.

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