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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Weekly

March 21, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


Overall Picture: The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-26-9), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, earned at least one point in each of their three games last week as the club battled Atlanta and South Carolina in its 11th three-games-in-three-days series of the season. Greenville went 1-0-2 and gained sole possession of 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings, placing the club seven points outside of a playoff spot with nine games remaining in the regular season.

Brian Hart and Kodie Curran each found the back of the net on Friday, but the Swamp Rabbits opened the week with a 3-2 overtime loss when Atlanta's Max Everson completed his first pro hat trick with the game-winner just 36 seconds into the extra session. Between the pipes, Mackenzie Skapski played well and stopped 34 shots, but suffered the overtime loss on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink.

Twenty-four hours later, Skapski and the Swamp Rabbits responded with a 5-0 shredding of the Gladiators at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, Georgia. The 21-year-old goaltender halted all 29 shots he faced to record his first ECHL shutout, and his first overall since he blanked the AHL's Providence Bruins on March 27, 2015 with Hartford. Offensively, Greenville received goals from five different skaters, including Jack Combs' game-winner just 26 seconds into the first period.

Combs continued his hot streak on Sunday by scoring twice in regulation, once in a shootout, and adding an assist against South Carolina, but the Swamp Rabbits suffered a 4-3 shootout loss to the Stingrays in their final meeting at the North Charleston Coliseum. Marcus Perrier notched two goals for South Carolina, while Greenville surrendered a pair of two-goal leads in the setback. Despite the loss, the Swamp Rabbits collected one point and improved to 65 points this season. Greenville concluded the season-series with a record of 5-4-2 against the Stingrays.

UPCOMING GAMES

Wednesday, Mar. 23 at Orlando (30-24-8, 3rd South) - 7 p.m. ET

Friday, Mar. 25 at Florida (40-21-2, 2nd South) - 7:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, Mar. 26 at Florida (40-21-2, 2nd South) - 7 p.m. ET

QUICK SHIFTS

Top of the Charts: Forwards Scott Fleming and Jack Combs each recorded five points in three games last week and continue to rank first and second on the club in scoring respectively. Fleming gathered one goal and four assists and is now on a team-best three-game point streak, while Combs collected three goals and two assists. Fleming leads Greenville in points (47), assists (29), plus-minus (+18) and power-play goals (6) this season, and Combs boasts a team-high 21 goals. Both have registered three game-winners.  

Playoff Picture: Similar to the 2013-14 campaign and years prior, this season, each division winner and the next five best teams in each conference will qualify for the 2016 Kelly Cup playoffs. The Swamp Rabbits (65 points) are currently on the outside looking in with less than three weeks left in the regular season, which concludes April 9. Greenville is seven points behind eighth-place Elmira for the final playoff spot, and also trails Orlando (-3) and Atlanta (-2). The good news - Greenville still has a number of chances for a four-point swing with games against Orlando (1x), Atlanta (2x) and 12th-place Kalamazoo (3x) remaining. The Swamp Rabbits also have at least one game in hand on Atlanta (1) and Elmira (2).

Special Teams Success: The Swamp Rabbits have drastically heated up on both sides of special teams over the last nine games, dating back to Feb. 28 at Brampton. Greenville has gone 11-for-36 (30.6%) on the power play during that span, lifting the club to seventh in the league at home and 16th overall. On the flip side, Greenville's penalty kill is 31-for-34 (91.2%) during that same nine-game span.    

News and Notes: Vinny Saponari played his 200th professional game last Saturday in Atlanta... Jack Combs notched his 200th professional goal last Saturday in Atlanta... Josh Nicholls has 10 points (4g, 6a) in his last 11 contests... Brian Hart has scored in three of his last five games (3g)... Mackenzie Skapski played all three games for the Swamp Rabbits last weekend and went 1-0-2 with a 1.95 goals-against-average, .943 save percentage and one shutout.

SOUTH DIVISION

1. South Carolina Stingrays (38-18-8) = 84 points in 64 games

2. Florida Everblades (40-21-2) = 82 points in 63 games

3. Orlando Solar Bears (30-24-8) = 68 points in 62 games

4. Atlanta Gladiators (30-27-7) = 67 points in 64 games

5. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-26-9) = 65 points in 63 games

Craft Beer Night is coming up on Saturday, Apr. 2 when the Swamp Rabbits host the Kalamazoo Wings in their penultimate home game at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. All fans 21 and older are invited to sample delicious craft beers before and during the team's 7 p.m. contest against Kalamazoo. For just $35, the package includes:

- One (1) lower bowl, red level ticket

- Entry for one (1) to the Craft Beer Tasting in the beer garden from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

- $1 off craft beers purchased at select concession stands the duration of the game

- A souvenir gift and sampling glass

Already have a ticket to the game? Get into the craft beer tasting party and take advantage of all additional perks for just $24. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase food during the event at the special sausage bar & pretzel stations! For tickets to the craft beer tasting party, call the Swamp Rabbits front office at 864-674-PUCK (7825) or click here.

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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ECHL Stories from March 21, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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