TOSTI: SWAMP RABBITS HOT START NOT ENOUGH VERSUS STINGRAYS
TOSTI: Swamp Rabbits Hot Start Not Enough Versus Stingrays
Greenville scores two first period goals against South Carolina, but can’t hold onto the lead in a 4-2 decision.
BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (12-9-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, a pair of first period goals against the South Carolina Stingrays (12-4-3-1) were not enough to decide tonight’s 4-2 decision at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Greenville dropped its second straight game to finish a set of three games in five days with South Carolina.
A quick start was necessary for Greenville and the team looked to one of the hottest scorers on home ice this season. Branden Troock opened the scoring a minute into the game with an unassisted tally. The winger picked off the puck at center ice and moved into the offensive zone to record his seventh goal in the last six home contests.
Greenville earned a second goal in the first period from another hot scorer. Jack Nevins got a quick pass from Joe Basaraba from behind the net and collected the puck on the left side of the net. The winger tucked a shot just underneath the crossbar to record his third goal in the last four games. Nevins has recorded at least a point in each of the last four games, the longest point streak of his career.
The Stingrays bounced right back, netting a goal a minute later. The Swamp Rabbits defense poked a rolling puck away from the Stingrays, but it slid to the awaiting stick of Patrick Megannety at the top of the slot. The winger delayed before shooting the puck into the net just past the blocker of Brandon Halverson in net.
The Swamp Rabbits took the lead into the intermission, but the Stingrays capitalized on their first power play of the night. The clean game resulted in only three total chances on the man advantage. Stingrays forward Taylor Cammarata let a shot go from the left circle and hit the right post before finding Kris Bindulis at the top of the right circle. The blue-liner walked in and jammed his second goal of the season into the gaping net three minutes into the advantage.
Cammarata followed up his post-shot less than three minutes later to score his sixth of the season and the eventual game-winning goal. The rookie collected himself from the ice and moved to the right circle after a collision and called for a rink-wide pass in the right circle. Frankie Simonelli found him all alone before tallying his sixth goal of the season and fifth against Greenville.
Greenville fell 0-for-1 in the game on the power play with one chance late in the third period, but the Stingrays tallied for the second time on the man advantage to take the 4-2 lead. Joe Devin came down the ice on a breakaway and after his first shot was saved, the rebound came right back to his stick to bat just inside the post. South Carolina was 2-for-2 on the power play in the game.
The Swamp Rabbits fought to tie the game, adding an extra skater for the final two minutes but could not rally for another goal. The game ended with a 29-26 shot differential in favor of the Stingrays. Parker Milner earned the win with 24 saves while Halverson takes the loss with 25 saves in net.
Greenville travels to Duluth, Georgia tomorrow to face off against the Atlanta Gladiators for the second time this season. Puck drop at the Infinite Energy Arena is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.
THIRSTY THURSDAY | Thursday, December 14 | 7 p.m.
We are throwing ticket prices back for Thirsty Thursday presented by Harbor Inn. Grab two tickets for $20 and enjoy our Hoppy Hour specials including $3 domestic beer from 5-8 p.m.
WINTER WONDERLAND PACKAGE
The Swamp Rabbits are offering a Winter Wonderland experience! Get your four tickets for the team’s Dec. 23 game, four passes to Ice on Main, and a Dave and Buster’s gaming package, a $140 value for only $65! The package is ONLY available for purchase through the Swamp Rabbits office at (864) 674-PUCK or online at SwampRabbits.com.
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