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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Weekly Report

December 1, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECAP

Overall Picture: The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (9-10-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, battled through and excruciating stretch of five games in seven days, in four different cities, last week and went 3-2-0 in those contests.

The Swamp Rabbits opened the week on Monday with a 4-3 setback to the Atlanta Gladiators on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. Rob Kwiet, Bretton Cameron and Ryan Rashid each scored for the home team, but Greenville's comeback effort fell short as Atlanta scored once on the power play and once shorthanded to claim the win in the I-85 rivalry contest.

Things were much different away from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena beginning Wednesday, when Greenville earned its first of three straight wins on the road in Norfolk, Virginia in dominating fashion. Offensively, Michael Kantor scored two goals and assisted on another, while Jack Combs chipped in three points (1g, 2a) in a 6-0 rout of the Admirals. Between the pipes, P.J. Musico earned his first professional shutout with a 26-save performance. It was Greenville's biggest win of the season and also its first in regulation on the road this season.

Following a day off for Thanksgiving, the Swamp Rabbits returned to action on Friday and received a hat-trick performance from Combs en route to a 6-3 win against the Reading Royals in Reading, Pennsylvania. The veteran forward added an assist for a four-point effort, while Kwiet and Vinny Saponari each delivered three-point nights as a part of the victory.

Twenty-four hours later, Greenville pushed its winning streak to three games with a 4-3 shootout victory in come-from-behind fashion on Saturday. Josh Nicholls scored twice in the contest and Combs buried the only tally in a three-round shootout, while Musico extended his personal winning streak to three games with a career-best 41-save performance.

The Swamp Rabbits concluded the week and a three-game weekend set on Sunday with a 2-0 loss to the Adirondack Thunder in Glens Falls, New York. The offense was productive with 32 shots against rookie goaltender Drew Fielding, but the 25-year-old, in his professional debut, stopped every one of them to snap Greenville's winning streak.

UPCOMING GAMES

Thursday, Dec. 3 vs. Cincinnati (10-4-3), 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 4 vs. Cincinnati (10-4-3), 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5 vs. Norfolk (5-14-1), 7 p.m.

QUICK SHIFTS

In Tune: If you hadn't heard the name P.J. Musico before last week, you certainly have now. The rookie goaltender got the nod to start all five games for the Swamp Rabbits, including three contests in as many days over the weekend. Musico was up for the challenge going 3-2-0 with a 2.19 goals-against-average and .919 save percentage during that span. He also recorded his first professional shutout with 26 saves on Wednesday against Norfolk. In addition, the Penn State University grad earned a career-best three straight wins, all on the road, from Wednesday through Saturday. Musico is 3-1-0 on the road this season with a 1.73 goals-against-average, .936 save percentage and one shutout in four appearances.  

Home Sweet Home: The Swamp Rabbits will open a season-long five-game homestand on Thursday that runs through Saturday, Dec. 11. In addition, seven of the team's next eight games will take place on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, as well as eight of the next 10. Greenville is currently 5-4-1 in the Upstate this season and has been dominant on the power play at home, going 8-for-32 (25%) which is ranked third in the league.      

Approaching a Milestone: Several Swamp Rabbits' skaters are approaching milestones heading into this weekend's three-game series. Jack Combs is just four points from his 400th professional point, while Darian Dziurzynski is scheduled to play his 200th pro game on Friday against Cincinnati. In addition, Josh Nicholls is three points from his 100th pro point and Michael St. Croix is four points from his 100th pro point.

News and Notes: Combs leads the team in goals (9), assists (11) and points (20)... Greenville is 5-1-0 when allowing two goals or less and 8-1-0 when scoring at least once on the power play.

Thirsty Thursday: The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday to battle the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7 p.m. Thursday is Thirsty Thursday featuring $2 domestic drafts during Hockey Happy Hour from 6-8 p.m. and other concession specials all night long including $2 hot dogs, pretzels and soft drinks. In addition, limited $5 tickets are available at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena box office only. Fans can follow all of the action online via ECHL.TV or through the free Mixlr app.

Family Fridays: Take advantage of the Greenville News Family Fun Pack this Friday when the Swamp Rabbits rematch against the Cincinnati Cyclones at 7 p.m. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack features four (4) red-level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) fountain drinks and two (2) Swamp Rabbits' foam fingers for just $60! Get yours HERE.

Teddy Time: The Swamp Rabbits will host their sixth annual "Teddy Bear Toss" Night presented by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The annual tradition encourages fans to bring stuffed animals to the game and throw them onto SANDLAPPER Securities Rink when Greenville scores its first goal. The stuffed animals are then collected and donated to Toys for Tots. Last season, more than 2,500 stuffed animals were collected and donated. In addition, the Swamp Rabbits invite local elementary school choirs to perform Christmas Carols at the game for the Sing for Santa event! Each elementary school that participates can sing the National Anthem for the start of our game and then perform Christmas Carols during the first intermission. Click here for tickets

Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits all season long and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team's official Facebook and Twitter pages.

Trolley On Over: Greenville's downtown trolley route has been extended to include a stop at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The expanded route will operate for all Swamp Rabbits' games taking place Thursdays through Sundays during normal trolley service hours.

Call 864-674-7825 or visit SwampRabbits.com for tickets. Bring a group of 15 or more out to a game and receive great discounts, merchandise offers and hospitality opportunities! Call a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive for more information! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear at the "Hop Shop" team store or visit the "Hop Shop" online at SwampRabbits.com/shop to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties!

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