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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Weekly

February 23, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECAP

Overall Picture: During the only series of its kind this season, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (24-21-7), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, went 1-2-1 in four straight games against the South Carolina Stingrays last week and dropped into a tie for ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Greenville has collected 55 points in 52 games this season and is currently one position shy of a playoff spot, one point behind Elmira.

The Swamp Rabbits kicked off last week's performance with another tight battle against their in-state rivals, earning a 4-2 victory on Tuesday at the North Charleston Coliseum. Darian Dziurzynski led the way with two points (1g, 1a), including the game-winning goal, while Jordan Knackstedt, Vinny Saponari and Bretton Cameron also scored for Greenville. Between the pipes, Allen York made 33 saves as the Swamp Rabbits improved to 5-1-0 against South Carolina this season. The club also snapped the Stingrays' league-best seven-game point streak.

The series shifted to the Upstate on Friday for the Swamp Rabbits' annual Heroes Night celebration of local police, fire, EMS and military units. However, South Carolina's Stephan Vigier (2g) and Brett Cameron (1g, 2a) played villain as Greenville suffered a 4-1 loss to the Stingrays on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. Dziurzynski netted the Swamp Rabbits' only goal with a power-play tally late in the first period, while Vitek Vanecek halted 30 shots in net for South Carolina.

On Saturday, Ryan Rashid scored twice and Greenville fought back from a third-period deficit with Josh Nicholls' 12th tally of the season, but the Stingrays took a 4-3 decision in overtime when Cameron notched the game-winning goal just 58 seconds into the extra session. Dziurzynski chipped in a pair of assists for the Swamp Rabbits and extended his point streak to four games. The setback continued Greenville's streak of home games without a regulation win to 10 (since Dec. 20).

The lengthy series returned to North Charleston on Sunday and concluded with a 2-1 Stingrays' victory in the matinee contest. Following more than 40 minutes of scoreless hockey, Caleb Herbert and Knackstedt traded third-period goals before Vigier pushed home the game-winner with just 87 seconds left in regulation. It's the first time the Swamp Rabbits have dropped three straight since Oct. 30 - Nov. 8 (six straight setbacks).

UPCOMING GAMES

Friday, Feb. 26 at Wheeling (25-21-5) - 7:35 p.m. ET

Saturday, Feb. 27 at Toledo (32-14-5) - 7:15 p.m. ET

Sunday, Feb. 28 at Brampton (15-25-11) - 2:05 p.m. ET

QUICK SHIFTS

Easier To Produce Than Pronounce: Fourth-year forward Darian Dziurzynski is among the Swamp Rabbits' most consistent threats in the last five games, recording six points (2g, 4a) during that span. He's also registered at least one point in five of his last seven contests and now ranks fifth among active Greenville scorers with 27 points (14g, 13a) this season. Dziurzynski's 14 goals are tied for the team-lead with Scott Fleming (active players).          

Road Tripping: The Swamp Rabbits conclude a four-game road swing this weekend with their first trip through the North Division in 2015-16. It will also be the most grueling road trip of the season with three games in three days, spanning three different cities, two countries and 1,922 miles. Greenville will battle the Wheeling Nailers at WesBanco Arena on Friday before packing up for Toledo on Saturday, where the club will face the Walleye at Huntington Center. The weekend concludes on Sunday with the team's first-ever trip to Canada, where the Swamp Rabbits will play the Brampton Beast on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. ET. Greenville is 13-11-1 on the road this season and has won seven of its last 11 games away from SANDLAPPER Securities Rink.  

Mr. 900: Forward Garett Bembridge may be a fresh face in Greenville, but he is far from new to professional hockey. In his second game with the Swamp Rabbits on Sunday, the 15-year veteran made his 900th professional appearance, a milestone in which few ever achieve. Bembridge has played 326 ECHL games during that span with eight teams, including Las Vegas, Idaho, Augusta, Utah, Missouri, Indy, Rapid City and Greenville. The 34-year-old also boasts 244 games of American Hockey League experience including seven contests with Hartford, where he began his career in 2001. In addition, Bembridge has international experience in Italy, Japan and Germany.    

News and Notes: Jordan Knackstedt has five goals and eight points in his last seven games... Scott Fleming leads the team in assists (24), points (38), plus-minus (+15) and power-play goals (5)... Greenville is 14-1-2 when leading after two periods... The Swamp Rabbits are tied for fourth in the ECHL with 14 games being decided beyond regulation... Greenville is second in the league with 28 games being decided by just one goal (15-6-7), including three of its last five.

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Florida Everblades (34-15-2) = 70 points in 51 games

2. South Carolina Stingrays (30-17-6) = 66 points in 53 games

3. Atlanta Gladiators (28-18-6) = 62 points in 52 games

4. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (24-21-7) = 55 points in 52 games

5. Orlando Solar Bears (23-20-7) = 53 points in 50 games

Scout Night: The Swamp Rabbits return to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. to face the Atlanta Gladiators. It's Scout Night presented by Duke Energy featuring discounted lower bowl tickets for all scout groups by calling 864-674-PUCK (7825). Special edition Scout Night patches are also available for just $1. In addition, families can take their Swamp Rabbits' experience to new heights with the all-new GSP Airport Fun Zone package. At every Saturday home game through the end of the regular season, fans are encouraged to purchase discounted adult tickets for just $10 in the GSP Airport Fun Zone (Section 119) and receive up to four (4) complementary kids tickets courtesy of the Greenville Spartanburg International Airport. Seats are limited and can be purchased online through SwampRabbits.com!

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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