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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Weekend Preview: Swamp Rabbits Battle Stingrays in Home Opener Tonight

October 23, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (0-1-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, open the home portion of their 2015-16 schedule tonight against in-state and division rival South Carolina (1-1-0) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. It's the fourth time in six seasons the two teams have met in Greenville's home opener. Last year, goaltender Jeff Malcolm stopped all 22 shots against to blank the Stingrays, 3-0, on opening night.

The Swamp Rabbits enter tonight's contest seeking to avenge a 6-3 loss at Orlando in the season opener last Saturday. Greenville also looks to rebound after missing the playoffs in 2014-15 by two points, despite earning more wins than seven playoff teams.

PROMOTIONAL LINEUP

The Swamp Rabbits celebrate Opening Night this evening with several big-time promotions and giveaways. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a special edition Swamp Rabbits car magnet! In addition, The Greenville News Family Fun Pack is back and includes a four-pack of red-level tickets, hot dogs, fountain drinks, bags of chips and two Swamp Rabbits foam fingers for just $60! The Greenville News Family Fun Pack is also available for Sunday's game. After the game on Sunday, fans can skate with the entire team on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink. The post-game skate is free of charge and rental skates are available at no cost this season. The Swamp Rabbits will also sport a new version of their New York Rangers style uniforms for the first time this season.

A NEW ERA

On August 26, 2015, Greenville unveiled its new Swamp Rabbits identity during a public press conference, replacing the Road Warriors brand that existed for the previous five seasons. The change was designed to better embody the unique qualities of Greenville and to more closely associate the team with the community. The "Swamp Rabbit" moniker is derived from the nickname area residents gave to the old Greenville and Northern railroad that was built and operated in the community in the late 1800's. The rebrand also follows the team's announcement of a new five-year lease with the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and the announcement of new head coach Brian Gratz.

THE MATCHUP

Tonight's contest marks the first of 11 meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Stingrays this season, and the first of five in the Upstate. Greenville went 4-9-1 against their in-state rivals last year (3-5-0 at home) and is 38-36-3 all-time against South Carolina. In addition, the Stingrays are currently on a 13-game point streak against Greenville dating back to Oct. 30, 2014. However, the Swamp Rabbits earned a 5-0 preseason win in North Charleston two weeks ago.

VIEW FROM NORTH CHARLESTON

The Stingrays celebrated a historic season in 2014-15, producing an ECHL record 23-game win streak from Feb. 7 - Mar. 27 and surging all the way to the Kelly Cup Finals, where they fell in seven games to the Allen Americans. The club went 45-20-7 during the regular season. This year, South Carolina returns just six players and is 1-1-0 following a two-game split with Reading last weekend. The Stingrays topped Reading 2-1 on Saturday and fell 6-0 on Sunday.

VIEW FROM ESTERO

Sunday's contest will mark the first of 11 meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Florida Everblades, and the first of seven matchups in the Upstate. Greenville went 1-7-1 against Florida last season (1-3-0 at home), but is 32-17-8 all-time against the "Blades. Florida finished the 2014-15 regular season with a record of 49-16-7 to capture the division title, but fell to South Carolina in the second round of the Kelly Cup playoffs. Led by sixth-year head coach Greg Poss, the Everblades are already 3-0-0 this season, helped in large part by winger Matt Marquardt who has six points (4g, 2a) in the first three games. Florida faces Atlanta on Friday and Saturday before completing its own three-game weekend series on Sunday.  

JACK'D UP

Seventh-year forward Jack Combs scored Greenville's first goal of the season last Saturday and now boasts a league-best 10-game point streak (8g, 7a) dating back to Mar. 11, 2015. Combs finished sixth in league scoring with 76 points a year ago, despite playing just 47 ECHL games. He has 377 points (180g, 197a) in 388 professional games.

AT THE HELM

Brian Gratz was named Greenville's second head coach in team history on July 7, 2015, after serving as the club's assistant last season. The 34-year-old was part of nine coaching changes in the league this past offseason and is one of seven coaches entering his first year at the helm of an ECHL club. However, Gratz already boasts more than seven years of head coaching experience in professional hockey overall. He is 149-121-23 all-time.

QUICK HITS - MILESTONES

Five of the Swamp Rabbits first seven games will take place at home... Greenville's captain Bretton Cameron is three games from his 300th pro appearance... The Swamp Rabbits open a three-games-in-three-days series on Friday, their first of three in a row and 13 overall this season... Rookie defenseman Troy Donnay went +3 with an assist in his pro debut last Saturday.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (5-2-1, 1st Metropolitan): Next at Philadelphia - Saturday, 7:00 pm ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (3-1-0, T-2nd Atlantic): Next at Syracuse - Tonight, 7:00 pm ET

Trolley On Over: Greenville's downtown trolley route has been expanded to include a stop at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Starting today, the deviated route will operate for all Swamp Rabbits' games taking place Thursdays through Sundays during normal trolley service hours.

Ticket plans for the inaugural season of the Swamp Rabbits' era are on sale now and start as low as $81! Call an Account Executive today at 864-674-PUCK or visit SwampRabbits.com to secure your seats!

Date Time Opponent Place

Friday, Oct. 23 7:00 p.m. ET vs. South Carolina Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Saturday, Oct. 24 7:05 p.m. ET @ South Carolina North Charleston Coliseum

Sunday, Oct. 25 3:00 p.m. ET vs. Florida Bon Secours Wellness Arena

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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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