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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Weekly

March 9, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECAP

Overall Picture: The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (26-24-7), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, broke out the broom last weekend and swept the Atlanta Gladiators in a two-game, home-and-home series to begin the month of March. The victories put Greenville back on track and lifted the club to 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings, five points behind Reading and Elmira for the final playoff spot with 15 games left in the regular season.

Following a four-game road trip, the Swamp Rabbits returned to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena with a flood of goals on Saturday, scoring five times in the first two periods and rolling to a 6-1 victory over Atlanta. Josh Nicholls led the way with two goals and an assist, while Jack Combs (1g, 1a) and Joe Houk (3a) also registered multi-point efforts. Between the pipes, rookie goaltender Alain Valiquette was brilliant in his Greenville debut, stopping 46 of the 47 shots he faced in just his second professional start. The Swamp Rabbits' 47 shots allowed was one short of a season high.

With the win, Greenville improved to 12-10-6 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink this season and snapped a six-game slide dating back to Feb. 19. The victory was also the Swamp Rabbits' first in regulation at home since Dec. 20.

On Sunday, Ryan Rashid and Scott Fleming each scored twice and Valiquette shined in goal for the second straight day as the Swamp Rabbits earned a 4-1 victory at Infinite Energy Arena in Duluth, Georgia. Valiquette made 42 saves on 43 shots and is now 3-0-0 to start his professional career, including a 30-save victory with Elmira on Feb. 27.

UPCOMING GAMES

Thursday, Mar. 10 vs. South Carolina (33-18-7) - 7 p.m.

Friday, Mar. 11 vs. Florida (36-19-2) - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 12 vs. Florida (36-19-2) - 7 p.m.

QUICK SHIFTS

Stars "Alain" For Valiquette: Since his acquisition from Elmira last Thursday, first-year goaltender Alain Valiquette has turned heads with an impressive showing in his first two games with Greenville. The 25-year-old went 2-0-0 last weekend and stopped 88 of a combined 90 shots for a 1.00 goals-against-average and .978 save percentage. Those numbers were also good enough to earn Valiquette CCM ECHL Goaltender of the Week honors in just his second pro week. Overall, the Laurentian University product is 3-0-0 with a 1.95 goals-against-average and .952 save percentage to begin his professional career since debuting with Elmira on Feb. 26, just four days after his collegiate career ended.        

Playoff Picture: Greenville enters Week 21 just five points outside of a playoff spot with 15 games remaining in the regular season. Reading and Elmira are tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference (64 points) and Wheeling is nipping at their heels (61 points), with Greenville close behind (59 points). In fact, just eight points separate the sixth-place Atlanta Gladiators from 12th-place Kalamazoo. The Swamp Rabbits have games in hand on Reading (2), Elmira (2) and Atlanta (1), but will be looking to hold off Orlando and Kalamazoo who each have games in hand on Greenville.  

Party Down South: Each of the Swamp Rabbits next nine games will take place in the South Division, running all the way through Mar. 26. Greenville will play all four division foes during that span including Atlanta (2x), Florida (4x), South Carolina (2x) and Orlando (1x). The Swamp Rabbits are 17-13-5 against division opponents this season, better than the club was against the division last season when it went 15-18-3 against those four teams through Mar. 8.  

Pennies, "Nicholls" and Dimes: New York Rangers prospect Josh Nicholls collected four points (2g, 2a) in two games last week and now boasts a team-best five-game point streak (3g, 4a), dating back to Feb. 26. Nicholls is third on the team in both goals (15) and points-per-game (0.70) this season, with 30 points in 43 appearances.

Producing on the Power Play: Greenville has scored at least one power-play goal in each of its last three games. In addition, the team is 6-for-12 (50%) on the man advantage during that span and has improved to eighth in the league at home with a 19% conversation rate. The Swamp Rabbits are 17-8-3 when scoring at least one power-play goal in a game this season.  

News and Notes: Scott Fleming leads the Swamp Rabbits in a variety of offensive categories including goals (17), assists (tied for first with 25), points (43), plus-minus (+17) and power-play goals... Greenville is tied for fifth with eight shorthanded goals... The Swamp Rabbits reached single-game season highs in power-play goals (3) and penalty minutes (51) in Saturday's victory against Atlanta... Greenville opens a four-game homestand on Thursday where the team is 12-10-6 this season... Michael St. Croix is the only Swamp Rabbits player to see action in all 28 home games this season.

SOUTH DIVISION

1. Florida Everblades (36-19-2) = 74 points in 57 games

2. South Carolina Stingrays (33-18-7) = 73 points in 58 games

3. Atlanta Gladiators (29-22-7) = 65 points in 58 games

4. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (26-24-7) = 59 points in 57 games

5. Orlando Solar Bears (25-23-8) = 58 points in 56 games

Business Power Play Night presented by South State Bank: The Swamp Rabbits return to SANDLAPPER Securities Rink at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday with a 7 p.m. puck drop against the South Carolina Stingrays. It's Business Power Play Night presented by South State Bank featuring a young professionals networking event prior to the game. Call the Swamp Rabbits' front office at 864-674-PUCK for more information. Thirsty Thursday specials will also be in effect with $2 domestic drafts available during Hockey Happy Hour from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and $2 hot dogs, pretzels and soft drinks available throughout the game. In addition, fans can get $5 tickets at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena box office while supplies last. Doors open at 6 p.m.  

Stick It To Cancer presented by the Bon Secours St. Francis Health System: This Friday, Mar. 11, is the annual Stick It To Cancer game as the Swamp Rabbits host Florida at 7 p.m. The night is aimed at raising awareness and gathering funds to benefit several Upstate charities. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack is available for the game featuring four (4) red level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, (4) soft drinks and two (2) foam fingers for just $60. Get yours by calling the Swamp Rabbits front office at 864-674-PUCK or by CLICKING HERE. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Superhero Night: The Swamp Rabbits will wear specialty Batman-themed jerseys on Saturday for Superhero Night at 7 p.m. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off following the game live on the ice to those in attendance only. In addition, some of the most popular superheroes including Batman, Superman, Captain America and Wonder Woman will be available for pictures and autographs throughout the game on the concourse. Families can take advantage of a great ticket special through the GSP Airport Fun Zone, which offers discounted adult tickets for just $10 and up to four (4) complementary kid's tickets in section 119. CLICK HERE for more information or to purchase the deal. Doors open at 6 p.m.

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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