ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Weekly

Published on January 12, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECAP

Overall Picture: The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (18-13-6), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, held the first-place Florida Everblades to just six goals in three games last week, going 1-1-1 in a trio of one-goal contests on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink.

With those results, the Swamp Rabbits head into Week 13 with points in 10 of their last 11 games (7-1-3). The club has also gone past regulation in seven of its last nine contests, dating back to Dec. 26.

Greenville opened its three-game set with Florida last Thursday and suffered a 2-1 setback at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Everblades forward Kevin Lynch scored the go-ahead goal at 9:02 of the third period, while Darian Dziurzynski registered his seventh tally of the season for the Swamp Rabbits. The regulation loss snapped the team's season-long eight-game point streak dating back to December 12. Between the pipes, Mackenzie Skapski made an ECHL career-high 39 saves as Florida outshot Greenville 41-22.

On Friday, the Swamp Rabbits earned a point for the ninth time in the last 10 games, but suffered a 3-2 overtime loss to the Everblades. Florida's Mark Nemec netted the game-winning goal with just 47.8 seconds left in the extra frame, while Michael St. Croix and Dziurzynski (second goal in as many days) each scored in regulation for Greenville. Allen York stopped 22 shots in his second contest against his former team.

The Swamp Rabbits concluded the weekend on Saturday when Skapski halted 36 shots, including several highlight-reel saves in the third period, helping the club capture a 2-1 shootout victory. Justin DaSilva netted Greenville's lone tally in regulation with a remarkable top shelf backhand shot, while Jordan Knackstedt scored the only goal in a three-round shootout. With the win, the Swamp Rabbits improved to 10-6-5 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink.

UPCOMING GAMES

Thursday, Jan. 14 vs. Alaska (12-18-4) - 7 p.m. - Thirsty Thursday*

Saturday, Jan. 16 at Atlanta (21-12-2) - 7:05 p.m. ET

QUICK SHIFTS

Kwiet Hits 400: Eighth-year defenseman Rob Kwiet reached a milestone last Saturday when he made his 400th professional appearance. The 27-year-old has been a staple in the pro ranks since 2009 when he played his first full season with the AHL's Providence Bruins. Since then, Kwiet has played 42 American Hockey League games with Providence and Bridgeport and 299 ECHL contests among seven different teams. In addition, Kwiet spent five consecutive seasons in the ECHL from 2009-2014 with Reading, Stockton, Greenville, San Francisco, Fort Wayne, Atlanta and Florida.

Killing it on the Kill: The Swamp Rabbits penalty kill has come to life over the last six games, going 16-for-17 during that span and improving to 22nd in the ECHL. Greenville's penalty kill currently stands at 79% this season, up from 75.6% on December 2, when it was ranked last in the league.

Free Hockey: Seven of Greenville's last nine games have been decided beyond regulation, including two of the team's three contests last weekend. The Swamp Rabbits are a perfect 4-0 in shootouts this season and 2-6 when the game is decided in overtime.      

View From Alaska: The Swamp Rabbits welcome the 2014 Kelly Cup champion Alaska Aces to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday for the first time ever. The Aces are currently 12-18-4 (28 points) and ranked in the basement of the West Division. However, Alaska is on a three-game point streak (2-0-1) entering Thursday's game. In their last outing on Sunday, the Aces edged Atlanta, 2-1, in Duluth, Georgia when Mitch Jones scored the game-winning goal at 1:10 of the third period. The Aces are led in scoring by former Greenville forward Tim Coffman, who has posted 26 points this season. In his third season with Alaska, Coffman made his pro debut and played 14 games with Greenville during the 2011-12 campaign.

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Florida Everblades (25-11-1) = 51 points in 37 games

2. Atlanta Gladiators (21-12-2) = 44 points in 35 games

3. South Carolina Stingrays (20-13-3) = 43 points in 36 games

4. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (18-13-6) = 42 points in 37 games

5. Orlando Solar Bears (15-14-5) = 35 points in 34 games

*Thirsty Thursday: The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday with their first-ever meeting against the Alaska Aces. 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  while supplies last. Fans can follow all of the action live via ECHL.TV or the free Mixlr app.

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!

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics

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ECHL Stories from January 12, 2016


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