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ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Weekend Preview: Youth Jersey Giveaway Among Promotions this Weekend

December 10, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Greenville Swamp Rabbits News Release


THE STORY COMING IN

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (10-11-2), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack, continue a season-long, five-game homestand tonight when they battle the Orlando Solar Bears (9-7-4) for the third time this season. Greenville has earned at least one point in five of its last seven games, but enters tonight's contest on a two-game slide, including a setback on Teddy Bear Toss night last Saturday. That evening, Norfolk Admirals' goaltender Ty Rimmer stopped all 30 shots he faced to blank the Swamp Rabbits 3-0. P.J. Musico made 29 saves in the setback. Tonight, the Swamp Rabbits also kick off their sixth three-game series of the season, and the team's third in as many weekends.

YOUTH JERSEYS AND MORE!

Tonight is Thirsty Thursday featuring $2 domestic drafts during Hockey Happy Hour from 6-8 p.m. and other concession specials all night long, including $2 hot dogs, pretzels and soft drinks. In addition, limited $5 tickets are available at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena box office. To purchase at least four (4) $5 tickets in advance, CLICK HERE.

The first 1,000 kids 12 and younger at tomorrow's game will take home a limited edition Swamp Rabbits' youth jersey courtesy of HOT 98.1! Fans are also encouraged to take advantage of the Greenville News Family Fun Pack on Friday when the Swamp Rabbits rematch against the Orlando Solar Bears at 7 p.m. The Greenville News Family Fun Pack features four (4) red-level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, four (4) bags of chips, four (4) fountain drinks and two (2) Swamp Rabbits' foam fingers for just $60! Doors open at 6 p.m.

LARUE ADDED TO LINEUP

The Swamp Rabbits acquired rookie forward Zack LaRue from the Indy Fuel this afternoon in exchange for future considerations. The 25-year-old played 18 games with the Knoxville Ice Bears of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) this season, collecting 12 points (5g, 7a) and four penalty minutes. Prior to turning pro, the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native spent four seasons at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. He is expected to be in the lineup tonight.

HARES VS. BEARS

Tonight's contest marks the third of nine meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears this season, and the second of four matchups at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Orlando currently leads the season-series 2-0-0, including a victory at the Amway Center on October 17 and another in the Upstate on November 17. In their last meeting, Scott Fleming scored twice and Josh Nicholls added a goal and an assist, but T.J. Foster netted the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the Solar Bears to a 6-5 victory. The Swamp Rabbits went 5-3-2 against the Solar Bears last season (2-2-2 on the road) and are 12-12-4 all-time against Orlando.

VIEW FROM ORLANDO

Led by first-year head coach Anthony Noreen, the Solar Bears have dropped six of their last seven games and enter tonight's contest tied with Greenville for fourth place in the South Division (22 points). In their last outing on Sunday, Orlando fell to Atlanta on home ice, 4-3, when the Gladiators scored four straight goals to begin the third period. Matt Rupert netted two goals for the Solar Bears that afternoon, while Brady Vail scored once and is now second on the team with 18 points behind Eric Faille and Eric Baier. Faille is also tied for third in the league in goals (11), while Baier is second among defensemen in scoring (19 points) and fourth in assists (14). Orlando opens a six-game road trip tonight that runs through December 20.  

RABBITS VS. "RAYS

Saturday's weekend finale will mark the fourth of 11 meetings between the Swamp Rabbits and Stingrays this season, and the second of six matchups in North Charleston. Greenville leads the season-series 3-0-0 following back-to-back victories in October, and a 3-2 win at The Well on November 20. The Swamp Rabbits built an early three-goal lead that night and held on late to secure one of its six home wins this season. Greenville went 4-9-1 against the Stingrays last season (3-5-0 at home) and is 41-36-3 in the all-time series.

VIEW FROM NORTH CHARLESTON

Head coach Spencer Carbery's club will open a six-game homestand on Saturday following a season-long, 10-game road trip that concludes Friday night in Atlanta. The Stingrays have won two-straight games heading into the weekend and currently sit second in the South Division with 28 points. In their last outing on Sunday, former Greenville forward Paul Rodrigues scored the game-winning goal in a 3-1 victory against the Indy Fuel. Between the pipes, Mark Dekanich made 24 saves en route to his fifth win this season. The victory also boosted his goals-against-average to 1.99, which is good for seventh in the ECHL.      

O-ZONE

Despite a pair of shutouts in the past two weeks, Greenville's offense has come to life, scoring four of more goals in five of the club's last seven games. In addition, last Saturday's 7-6 overtime setback to Cincinnati was the fourth time this season Greenville has hit the six-goal mark. The Swamp Rabbits are 10-2-2 when scoring at least three goals this season and are currently ranked 13th with 2.96 goals per game.  

100 CLUB

New York Rangers prospect Michael St. Croix reached a milestone last Saturday when he notched his 100th professional point with two assists against Cincinnati. The third-year pro has collected 34 goals and 66 assists in 146 pro games since he debuted with Greenville during the 2013-14 campaign. St. Croix was originally selected by New York in the fourth round (106th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

MILESTONE ALERT

Aside from St. Croix, two other Swamp Rabbits are approaching key milestones heading into this weekend. Josh Nicholls is just one point from his 100th professional tally, while Jack Combs is three points from his 400th pro point. Bretton Cameron is also just five games from his 300th ECHL appearance.  

HOME SWEET HOME

Rookie defenseman Kodie Curran has recorded at least one point in five of his last six home games, and has posted eight total points during that span (2g, 6a). Last Saturday, the 25-year-old notched a career-best three points (1g, 2a), which also served as his first professional multi-point game.

QUICK HITS

Greenville is 9-1-1 when scoring at least one power-play goal this season...Goaltender Jeff Malcolm has not been defeated in regulation in six straight home games (since November 12), and four straight games overall (dating back to November 17)...The Swamp Rabbits are 2-0-0 on Thursday evenings this season.

AFFILIATE REPORT

New York Rangers (18-8-3, 2nd Metropolitan): Next at Edmonton - Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET

Hartford Wolf Pack (10-12-2, 6th Atlantic): Next at Providence - Friday, 7:05 p.m. ET

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!

 Date Time Opponent Location

Thurs, Dec. 10 7 p.m. vs. Orlando Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Fri, Dec. 11 7 p.m. vs. Orlando Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Sat, Dec. 12 7:05 p.m. @ South Carolina North Charleston Coliseum

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