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Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Swamp Rabbits Weekly

April 5, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


LAST WEEK'S RECAP

Overall Picture: The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-31-10), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, gathered one point in three games against the Kalamazoo Wings last weekend, concluding their final multi-game series at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena this season. Greenville ranks fifth in the South Division and 12th in the Eastern Conference with 66 points entering Week 25.

The Swamp Rabbits opened the week on Thursday when Jack Combs scored twice for the third time in the last five games and helped Greenville bounce back from a pair of two-goal deficits. However, Wings' forward Alex Mallet notched the game-winning goal in the final second of overtime as the visitors captured a 4-3 victory. Lane Scheidl matched Combs with two goals of his own for Kalamazoo, while the Swamp Rabbits earned a point with just 15 skaters in the lineup. However, the overtime loss eliminated Greenville from playoff contention.

Combs continued his hot streak with another goal on Friday, but the Swamp Rabbits dropped a 5-2 decision to Kalamazoo in the middle game. Joe Houk also scored for Greenville, while Sacha Guimond led the way for the visitors with two goals and netminder Joel Martin earned his league-leading 33rd win of the season, tying Dave Gagnon for fifth on the ECHL's all-time wins list with 155.

The series wrapped up on Saturday with a 3-1 loss on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. Tommy Thompson registered his first professional goal in the second period for Greenville, but Kalamazoo's Justin Taylor scored his sixth goal in as many games and Mallet added the game-winner. Martin secured yet another win between the pipes, passing Gagnon for sole possession of fifth place on the ECHL's all-time wins list.

Greenville's setback was its seventh in a row (0-5-2), which dropped the club to 13-14-8 at The Well this season. In contrast, Kalamazoo won its seventh straight game.

UPCOMING GAMES

Wednesday, Apr. 6 at Norfolk (29-35-5, 5th East) - 7:15 p.m. ET

Friday, Apr. 8 vs. Atlanta (33-29-7, 4th South) - 7 p.m. ET**

Saturday, Apr. 2 at Atlanta (33-29-7, 4th South) - 7:15 p.m. ET

QUICK SHIFTS

Watching the Nicholls Add Up: New York Rangers prospect Josh Nicholls is a key piece to Greenville's top offensive line that has flourished in recent weeks. The 23-year-old is on a team-best six-game point streak entering the final stretch of the season and has recorded eight points (2g, 6a) during that span. Nicholls is third on the team in goals (18) and points (41) and multi-point games (11). Greenville's longest point streak this season is seven games.  

Top of the Charts: Centering the Swamp Rabbits' top line is third-year forward Scott Fleming, who had a season-best seven-game point streak snapped on Friday against Kalamazoo. Still, the 28-year-old boasts 12 points (4g, 8a) in the last nine games and ranks second on the club with 13 multi-point contests this season. In addition, Fleming enters Wednesday's matchup with Norfolk on a seven-game point streak and five-game assist streak on the road dating back to Feb. 28 at Brampton. He leads Greenville in points (54), assists (33), plus-minus (+18) and is tied for first in power-play goals (6) this season.

Honey Combs: The final piece to Greenville's first line is veteran scoring threat Jack Combs, who has been on a tear since mid-March. Combs has recorded 11 goals in his last 10 games and seven multi-point efforts during that span. Overall, the 28-year-old has notched 19 points (11g, 8a) in his last 11 contests. He leads the Swamp Rabbits in goals (27) and multi-point games (16) despite playing just 40 contests in the ECHL this season. In fact, Combs is tied for fourth in league goal-scoring despite playing so few games. Greenville's top line of Nicholls, Fleming and Combs has combined for 26 of the team's last 39 points (66.7%).  

News and Notes: Greenville is 18-2-4 when leading after two periods... The Swamp Rabbits are tied for eighth in the ECHL with eight shorthanded goals scored... Greenville is tied for 10th with its power play going 18.5% at home... The club is tied for fifth with 17 games being decided beyond regulation.

SOUTH DIVISION

1. South Carolina Stingrays (41-18-10) = 92 points in 69 games

2. Florida Everblades (43-23-2) = 88 points in 68 games (play tonight)

3. Orlando Solar Bears (32-27-9) = 73 points in 68 games

4. Atlanta Gladiators (33-29-7) = 73 points in 69 games

5. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-31-10) = 66 points in 69 games

**Fan Appreciation Night presented by the Hilton Greenville is this Friday at 7 p.m. when the Swamp Rabbits battle Atlanta in their final home game of the season. The night belongs to YOU, the best fans in the ECHL, and will include giveaways at every whistle, an appearance by former Clemson football star and future NFL Draft pick Kevin Dodd, the Kelly Cup, and more.

A special $10 lower-level ticket is being offered for the game and can be purchased in advance by calling the Swamp Rabbits front office at 864-674-PUCK or by clicking here. There will also be dozens of prizes given away from both the team and its great partners, including the Badcock Furniture recliners used for the "Best Seats in the House." The grand prize features a trip for four (4) to University Studios Orlando with airfare and hotel accommodations included courtesy of the Hilton Greenville. In addition, all fans in attendance can enter for a chance to be one of the numerous winners of a Swamp Rabbits game-worn jersey! The night will kick off with a pre-game Fan Fest beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the plaza that will feature $2 beers and be highlighted by a meet and greet with former Clemson football standout, Kevin Dodd.

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