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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Three-Goal Third Boosts Orlando Past Greenville

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


Orlando, FL - Jack Combs scored twice for the second consecutive game, but Orlando's Rylan Schwartz netted two goals of his own, helping the Solar Bears (31-24-8) to a 6-3 victory over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-27-9), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, at the Amway Center on Wednesday. In the end, a trio of third-period goals was the difference for Orlando.

Aside from Combs, Scott Fleming also found the back of the net for Greenville, while Schwartz (2g, 2a) joined Denver Manderson (3a) and Johnny McInnis (1g, 2a) with multiple points for Orlando. The loss dropped the Swamp Rabbits to 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings, and the team continues to sit seven points behind Elmira for the final playoff spot.

Schwartz opened the scoring with back-to-back goals in the first period to give the Solar Bears a 2-0 lead. His first came at the 6:35 mark when he skated to the slot and finished Nicklas Lindberg's centering feed from the corner with a one-timer past goaltender Mackenzie Skapski. Schwartz added his second goal of the period, and 19th of the season, at 10:54 when he finished a second chance from the door step. Following a three-man battle in the right corner, the Brendan Miller guided the puck in front where Schwartz came up short on his first attempt, but buried the second.      

The Swamp Rabbits responded less than five minutes later when Combs cut the deficit to one with his team-leading 22nd goal of the season. Following a giveaway deep in the Orlando zone, Combs gathered the puck at the left hash marks, delayed and ripped a forehand shot past the glove of goaltender Ryan Massa for an unassisted tally at the 15:33 mark.

McInnis made it 3-1 with just over a minute remaining in the opening frame courtesy of his 17th goal of the season. McInnis set up a give-and-go with Denver Manderson down the right wing and capitalized on Manderson's return pass by reaching out his blade and redirecting a centering feed past Skapski.

Nicholls' 17th goal of the season in the final seconds of the first period made it 3-2. With less than six seconds remaining, Scott Fleming gathered the puck near the left post, but below the goal line, where he waited for a passing lane to open. It eventually did and the third-year pro moved to the side of the blue paint and funneled a pass to the back door where Nicholls nudged it home.

Combs buried his second goal of the evening in the final half-minute of the middle frame to even the score at 3-3. On a delayed penalty, Combs received a pass from Ryan Rashid in the neutral zone, skated down the left wing with speed, and beat Massa's five-hole for his 23rd tally of the season. It was also Combs' fifth goal in the last three games.

The third period belonged to the Solar Bears who scored three times in the frame to help win their third straight game. Erik Bradford notched the game-winning goal at the 1:56 mark when he moved down the right wing, cut towards the blue paint and funneled a backhand shot between Skapski's leg pads. Just 44 seconds later, Brady Vail recorded his 20th goal of the season with help from Jack Rodewald to make it 5-3.

T.J. Foster capped the scoring at 15:36 of the third period when he tipped in Schwartz's heavy snap shot from the high slot for his team-leading 24th goal of the season.

Greenville finished the game 0-for-3 on the power play and 2-for-4 on the penalty kill. Skapski (5-12-4) halted 20 shots in the loss, while Massa (18-9-2) made 34 saves in Orlando's win.

The Swamp Rabbits outshot the Solar Bears 37-26.

Next Time Out: The Swamp Rabbits continue a five-game road trip on Friday with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop against the Florida Everblades at Germain Arena. Fans can follow all of the live action via the Mixlr audio stream or ECHL.TV. The Official Road Watch Party Destination, the Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House (located at 103 E. Beacon Drive in Greenville), will also stream the game live beginning at 7:30 p.m.

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