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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Weekly

February 2, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECAP

Overall Picture: The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (21-18-6), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, continued a five-game road trip in the Sunshine State last weekend with a two-game set against the first-place Florida Everblades (30-12-1). Greenville went 1-1-0 in those contests and concluded the month of January right at .500 (6-6-1). The Swamp Rabbits enter Week 16 ranked fourth in the South Division, one point behind South Carolina.

Things began well for the visitors on Friday when Richard Nejezchleb and Darian Dziurzynski scored goals 35 seconds apart in the first period, but Florida responded with four unanswered tallies to top Greenville 4-2 at Germain Arena. Michael St. Croix also chipped in two points (2a) for the Swamp Rabbits, while Allen York made 23 saves in his first regulation loss on the road since November 7.

Not to be denied, Greenville returned the favor on Saturday with two unanswered goals in the second period to top the Everblades, 2-1. Andrew Dommett and Joe Houk each netted their second tallies of the season for the Swamp Rabbits as Florida fell for the first time in regulation since January 2. Between the pipes, Mackenzie Skapski (3-6-1) halted 25 of the 26 shots he faced to backstop the Swamp Rabbits to their seventh victory in the last 10 road games. In addition, Houk was credited with the game-winning goal for the first time in his two-year career.

UPCOMING GAMES

Thursday, Feb. 4 at Orlando Solar Bears (17-18-6) - 7 p.m. ET

Saturday, Feb. 6 at Orlando Solar Bears (17-18-6) - 7 p.m. ET

QUICK SHIFTS

Picking Up Steam: The 1-2 punch of Scott Fleming and Michael St. Croix has combined for 10 points over the Swamp Rabbits' last six games, dating back to January 18. Both forwards have five points during that span and currently rank first and second on the team respectively in scoring (among active players). Fleming leads Greenville with 30 points, five power-play goals and a +10 rating, while St. Croix has notched 28 points and has moved into the top spot for assists with 20 helpers on the season. 

Killing it on the Kill: The Swamp Rabbits' penalty kill went 7-for-8 last weekend and continues to impress over the middle portion of the 2015-16 season. Since New Year's Eve, Greenville has gone 39-for-43 (90.7%) on the penalty kill overall (14-game span) and is tied for ninth in the ECHL with just 12 power-play goals against on the road.

Scouting the Solar Bears: The Swamp Rabbits return to Florida this weekend for a two-game series against Orlando on Thursday and Saturday. Thursday's contest will mark the seventh of nine meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears this season, and the second of four matchups in the Sunshine State. Head coach Anthony Noreen's club has struggled lately with four straight losses (0-3-1), dropping the Solar Bears eight points behind Greenville in the South Division. Offensively, Eric Faille leads Orlando in goals (17), plus-minus (+8) and points (41), which also places him eighth in the league's point scoring race. Greenville is 3-1-2 against the Solar Bears so far this season.    

News and Notes: Josh Nicholls leads the team's active roster with seven multi-point games... Jordan Knackstedt is tied for second in the ECHL with three shootout goals... The Swamp Rabbits are 13-1-2 when leading after two periods, 13-5-6 in one-goal games, and 13-2-0 when allowing two goals or less... Fifteen of the Swamp Rabbits last 17 games have been decided by two goals or less... Greenville is third in the league with 12 games being decided beyond regulation.

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Florida Everblades (30-12-1) = 61 points in 43 games

2. Atlanta Gladiators (25-17-3) = 53 points in 45 games

3. South Carolina Stingrays (22-16-5) = 49 points in 43 games

4. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (21-18-6) = 48 points in 45 games

5. Orlando Solar Bears (17-18-6) = 40 points in 41 games

Rabbits and Tigers in Greenville...Oh My: The Swamp Rabbits, in conjunction with the Clemson University men's basketball program, announced Monday a "2-for-$22" ticket special for events at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on February 13, 17 and 19. The deal includes one (1) general admission ticket to the Clemson Tigers men's basketball game against Georgia Tech at 2 p.m. as well as one (1) red level seat to the Swamp Rabbits contest against Norfolk at 8 p.m. for just $22. Both events will take place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on February 13.

The teams will also offer this special for their respective nights honoring the community's first responders and military personnel. For $22, fans may also purchase a package that includes a general admission ticket to the Tigers' February 17 First Responders Night contest against Boston College and a red level ticket to the Swamp Rabbits' February 19 Celebrate Greenville/Heroes Night game against South Carolina. The offer is only available at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena box office.

Reminder: The Swamp Rabbits are offering a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) ticket offer for their next home game on February 13 to all individuals who present an unused game ticket from the January 22 game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena box office. Season ticket holders and group purchases should contact the Swamp Rabbits office directly at 864-674-PUCK (7825).

Check out the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Statistics



ECHL Stories from February 2, 2016


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