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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Weekly

January 5, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECAP

Overall Picture: The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (17-12-5), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, stormed into the New Year with a pair of shootout wins in Manchester, New Hampshire last week, extending the team's point streak to a season-high eight games (6-0-2). Overall, Greenville collected seven of eight possible points during a four-game road trip against the top two teams in the East Division.

The Swamp Rabbits opened the week on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory against the Adirondack Thunder at the Glens Falls Civic Center. Rookie forward Richard Nejezchleb broke a 1-1 deadlock that evening with the game-winning goal at 6:39 of the third period, while Allen York impressed with 33 saves on 34 shots to capture his first win of the season.

From there, Greenville continued north for a New Year's Eve affair with the Manchester Monarchs on Thursday. In a thrilling finish, the Swamp Rabbits battled back from a two-goal deficit in the final five minutes to earn a point, but fell in overtime, 3-2. Jordan Knackstedt and Scott Fleming each scored a power-play goal late in regulation, before Monarchs' forward Gasper Kopitar netted the game-winner at 1:33 of overtime at Verizon Wireless Arena.

On Saturday, York posted another brilliant performance when he rang in the New Year with a career-high 42 saves, including a penalty shot in overtime, as Greenville secured a 3-2 shootout victory over the Monarchs. Nejezchleb and Darian Dziurzynski each scored in regulation for the visitors, while Fleming netted the decisive goal in a four-round shootout.

The Swamp Rabbits concluded the trip on Sunday afternoon with another 3-2 shootout victory against Manchester, this time in come-from-behind fashion. Similar to Thursday's contest, Greenville battled back with two goals late in the third period to force overtime, including Andrew Dommett's first professional goal on a highlight-reel backhand pass from Sean Escobedo. Knackstedt went on to record the only tally in a three-round shootout and Mackenzie Skapski (1-2-1) earned the win with 34 saves, including a stop on every chance he saw in the shootout. With the victory, Greenville won the season-series against Manchester (2-0-1).

UPCOMING GAMES

Thursday, Jan. 7 vs. Florida (23-11-0) - 7 p.m. - Thirsty Thursday*

Friday, Jan. 8 vs. Florida (23-11-0) - 7 p.m. - Cap Giveaway Night presented by 92.5 WESC**

Saturday, Jan. 9 vs. Florida (23-11-0) - 7 p.m.

QUICK SHIFTS

York Yielding Results: Goaltender Allen York has been stellar since his return from the injured reserve. The fifth-year netminder is 2-0-1 since he was activated on Dec. 19 with a 1.93 goals-against-average and a .951 save percentage in three starts. In addition, York went 2-0-0 in a pair of games last week with a 1.45 goals-against-average and .962 save percentage. The 26-year old earned his first win with the Swamp Rabbits last Tuesday with a 33-save performance at Adirondack.

Rookie Sensation: First-year forward Richard Nejezchleb has had the hot stick for Greenville over the last month, recording 10 of his 16 points during the month of December. The Czech Republic native also has seven points (4g, 3a) in his last six games and is currently on a five-game point streak on the road. Nejezchleb was selected in the fifth round (122nd overall) by the New York Rangers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.    

Going Streaking: Jordan Knackstedt is on a team-best five-game point streak (2g, 3a) dating back to Dec. 27. During that span, the veteran forward helped Greenville bounce back to force overtime twice against Manchester last weekend and also scored in both shootouts. Knackstedt currently ranks fourth on the Swamp Rabbits' active scoring chart with 20 points (7g, 13a).

The Magic Number: Five of Greenville's last six games have been eerily similar, each concluding with a 3-2 final score and going beyond regulation. The Swamp Rabbits are 17-2-2 when scoring at least three goals this season and 11-1-0 when allowing two or fewer. In addition, Greenville is 3-0 in shootouts and 2-5 when the game is decided in overtime.      

News and Notes: Rob Kwiet is scheduled to play his 400th professional game this Saturday against Florida... Scott Fleming and Ryan Rashid each played their 100th ECHL games last Saturday against Manchester... The Swamp Rabbits are tied for the league-lead with 41 third-period goals.

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Florida Everblades (23-11-0) = 46 points in 34 games

2. South Carolina Stingrays (19-11-3) = 41 points in 33 games

3. Atlanta Gladiators (19-11-2) = 40 points in 32 games

4. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (17-12-5) = 39 points in 34 games

5. Orlando Solar Bears (12-14-5) = 29 points in 31 games

*Thirsty Thursday: The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday with a 7 p.m. battle against the first-place Florida Everblades. It's another "Thirsty Thursday", featuring $2 domestic drafts during Hockey Happy Hour from 6-8 p.m. Limited $5 tickets are available at the box office or online HERE while supplies last. Fans can follow all of the action live via ECHL.TV or the free Mixlr app.

**Cap Giveaway: The first 1,000 fans through the doors this Friday will receive a special-edition Swamp Rabbits' baseball cap presented by 92.5 WESC! In addition, the Greenville News Family Fun Pack will be available, featuring 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! Doors open at 6 p.m. CLICK HERE to purchase a Greenville News Family Fun Pack.

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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