Swamp Rabbits Lightning Offense Rolls Over Thunder
Greenville takes first win of the season as goal scoring juggernauts rack up six on Adirondack.
BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Glens Falls, NY – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (1-2-1-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, scored six goals for the second time this season to help seal a 6-4 victory against their North Division opponent, the Adirondack Thunder (2-1-1-0). The Swamp Rabbits dealt Adirondack it’s first regulation loss of the season as the team continues to produce in the offensive zone.
The Swamp Rabbits high-powered offense would not take long to break into the game. A quick transition through the neutral zone turned into a breakaway and then an opening tally for Greenville only 55 seconds into the contest. Evan Jasper sprinted through the Adirondack defense before dancing across the top of the crease. His quick stick handle opened the legs of Thunder goaltender Nick Riopel, and the Sacred Heart alum slipped the puck through. Jasper’s goal was his second in two games.
Greenville owned the first period with 16 shots on net, which included a second goal, scored by Joe Houk to extend the advantage. Just after a penalty kill, Jack Nevins stepped onto the ice and fed the puck up to Houk on the right wing. The defenseman stepped up into the circle and sent a wrist shot into the net with less than 10 minutes left in the opening frame.
Adirondack’s highlight of the period limited Greenville’s offense to only two goals. Riopel was able to deny Branden Troock on the Swamp Rabbits first penalty shot of the season.
After the intermission, the Thunder awoke and attacked the Swamp Rabbits net, scoring three goals in the period on 17 shots. Greenville held Adirondack at bay until the 9:21 mark of the frame when James Henry squeezed a power play goal through the pads of Brandon Halverson. The Swamp Rabbits needed less than a minute to respond and retake a two-goal advantage.
Dawson Leedahl had a marquee night, earning the number one star thanks to his three points (2G, 1A) in the contest. The rookie net his first career goal immediately following a faceoff in the offensive zone.
Adirondack would cut the lead to one again off an Eric Neiley unassisted goal less than a minute later and then tie the game on Chris Calnan’s first career tally. The tick tack toe pass outlasted the Swamp Rabbits defense and would put the game back to even for the first time since the opening minute of play.
Leedahl’s celebration would continue later in the period as he connected on a power play goal to break a 3-3 tie. Troock rifled a pass across to the right circle and the Saskatoon, SK native hammered into the back of the net. Greenville finished the game 2-for-3 on the power play, giving the team two power play goals in each of the first four games this year.
In the third, Adam Chapie was the catalyst for some insurance. The leading scorer od the Swamp Rabbits recorded a goal two minutes into the final period, giving Leedahl his last point of the game. Chapie’s breakaway shot over the glove of Riopel was the game-winner and put Greenville ahead 5-3. Bretton Cameron tacked on another goal on the power play to ice the game despite a valiant late-game effort from the Thunder.
Halverson took his first win of the season, making 36 saves on the dangerous Thunder offense. For the one time Greenville netminder, Riopel, he suffers his first regulation loss of the year after allowing six goals on 33 shots.
The Swamp Rabbits return to action on Friday night to begin a two-game set in Manchester, NH. Greenville plays two games against the Manchester Monarchs, starting a five-game season series with the North Division team.
BRICK-BY-BRICK NIGHT | Friday, November 3 | 7 p.m.
The Swamp Rabbits celebrate one of the top growing cities in the country! Get your hands on an exclusive Brick-by-Brick Night Jersey during a live post-game auction. Bon Secours Family Fun Packs are available with tickets, food, drinks, and Swamp Rabbits souvenirs for just $60.
OUTDOORS / SCOUT NIGHT | Saturday, November 4 | 7 p.m.
The annual Scout Night returns to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena to recognize the area’s Boy and Girl Scouts. Contact Stacey Wise at swise@swamprabbits.com or (864) 250-4864 to register your pack or troop for the game. To purchase select scout tickets, follow your respected link: Boy Scouts | Girl Scouts.
CLEAR BAG POLICY: The Bon Secours Wellness Arena will be implementing a clear bag policy for all events. Each ticketed guest will be permitted to carry one large clear bag, either a Ziploc style bag or a 12”x6”x12” clear bag, plus a small clutch purse (4.5”x6.5”). For more information on the policy, click here.
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