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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Weekend Preview: Swamp Rabbits Head North for Three-Game Trip

November 6, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, open their third consecutive three-game weekend series tonight when the team hits the ice at 7:30 p.m. to battle the Norfolk Admirals at the Norfolk Scope. It marks the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, as the Admirals previously played in the American Hockey League for the past 15 seasons. The Swamp Rabbits enter tonight's contest on a three-game slide following a trio of setbacks last weekend on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink against Atlanta, Evansville and Florida. Greenville has not lost four in a row since it dropped six straight games from March 6 through March 14 of last season.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

The Swamp Rabbits kick off a three-game road trip tonight in Norfolk, Virginia, before heading further north to Reading, Pennsylvania for a Saturday-Sunday doubleheader. Greenville is 1-1-0 away from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena this season following a 3-2 overtime win in North Charleston on Oct. 24. The club went 17-15-4 on the road in 2014-15.

THE MATCHUPS

Friday's contest marks the inaugural meeting between the Swamp Rabbits and Admirals, and the first of five matchups this season. Three of those games will take place at the Norfolk Scope. On Saturday, Greenville will face the Reading Royals for the first of four games this season (all four contests will take place at Santander Arena). Greenville went 2-1-0 against the Royals last season and is 5-7-1 in the all-time series.

VIEW FROM NORFOLK

The Admirals spent each of the last 15 seasons in the American Hockey League as the top farm team of either the Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, or Anaheim Ducks. They reached their peak in 2012 by winning in the AHL's Calder Cup Championship. However, on January 29, 2015, it was confirmed the franchise would be relocated to San Diego (Gulls) and be replaced in Norfolk by the former Bakersfield Condors ECHL team. Led by head coach Eric Veilleux, the Admirals are 2-4-0 through their first six games and enter tonight's contest coming off of a shootout victory against Quad City last Friday. The Admirals have not won in regulation since October 21. Norfolk is currently in the midst of a three-game homestand.

VIEW FROM READING

Seventh-year head coach Larry Courville's club is 3-3-0 to begin the 2015-16 season and enters the weekend on a one-game slide after falling to Orlando, 5-2, last Saturday at home. Rookie forward Justin Crandall currently paces the team with seven assists and nine points through the first six games, which also puts the 23-year old in a tie for 10th in league scoring. In addition, Crandall is tied for the league-lead in assists among all rookies and is tied for second in rookie scoring. Between the pipes, Martin Ouellette is 2-1-0 through his first three starts and is eighth in the league with a 1.68 goals-against average. The Royals have had difficulty killing penalties on home ice, ranking 27th (6-for-10) in the ECHL.  

JACK'D UP

Seventh-year forward Jack Combs is off to a hot start in his first season with the Swamp Rabbits, leading the team in points (8) and assists (5) through the first seven games. Overall, he has earned points in 15 of his last 16 games (10g, 15a) dating back to Mar. 11, 2015. Last season, Combs finished sixth in league scoring with 76 points, despite playing just 47 ECHL games. He has 384 points in 394 pro games.

WELCOME BACK SKAPS

Goaltender Mackenzie Skapski was reassigned to Greenville by the New York Rangers last Monday and is expected to play this weekend. Skapski, 21, made his pro debut with Greenville last October and went on to become the team's sixth graduate to reach the NHL. He debuted for the Rangers on Feb. 20, 2015 and posted a 2-0-0 record with a 0.50 GAA, .978 save percentage and one shutout in two NHL appearances (both at Buffalo).

KEEPING IT CLOSE

Four of the Swamp Rabbits last five games have been decided by just one goal, with Greenville earning wins in two of those contests. In addition, each of those four games ended in a 3-2 final score. The Swamp Rabbits are 2-0-0 this season when allowing two goals or less, but 1-4-0 when allowing three or more.

QUICK HITS

Greenville added 210 games of AHL experience to its lineup on Thursday by signing veteran forward Jordan Knackstedt, who is expected to be in the lineup tonight...... Rookie forward Brian Hart has two goals in his last three games... Defenseman Charlie Dodero is tied for the league-lead among defensemen with six minor penalties... The Swamp Rabbits penalty kill is nearly perfect on the road (6-for-7) and is currently 12th in the ECHL.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (8-2-2, T-1st Metropolitan): Next at Colorado - Tonight, 9 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (6-4-1, 3rd Atlantic): Next vs. Albany - Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET

OFFICIAL WATCH PARTY DESTINATION

Join other fans and watch the live telecast of Swamp Rabbits' road games all season long at the team's Official Watch Party Destination, Palmetto Restaurant and Ale House, located at 103 East Beacon Drive in Greenville. All games, excluding Sundays, will be broadcast live on three television screens.

Next Home Game: Greenville welcomes the Atlanta Gladiators to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. for Thirsty Thursday! $5 green-section tickets will be available only at the box office while supplies last and domestic drafts, fountain drinks, pretzels and hot dogs are just $2!

Video Game Night: What's better than a Swamp Rabbits' game?! A Swamp Rabbits' game that includes video games! On Friday, Nov. 20, the Swamp Rabbits will host "Video Game Night" at 7 p.m. at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. All fans are encouraged to play popular video games on the concourse and enter for a chance to compete with another fan on the video board. In addition, the Greenville News Family Fun Pack will be available and features four (4) red level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) fountain drinks and two (2) foam fingers for just $60!

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 expanded to include a stop at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The deviated 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 November 6, 2015


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