TOSTI: (FRI) Swamp Rabbits Split Series with Monarchs 
Greenville holds on for victory in a rescheduled game but falls in second game versus Manchester.
BY: Brian Tosti: Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (14-10-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, finished the remainder of last night’s suspended game and held on for a 4-3 victory over the Manchester Monarchs (16-9-1-1).
However, the clock ran out on Greenville’s night in the third period of tonight’s game, as Manchester split the weekend series with an 8-4 decision.
The night was also Greenville’s Teddy Bear Toss presented by Bon Secours as Caleb Herbert net the goal that launched stuffed animals onto the ice. Nearly 2,000 donations were collected and given to Toys for Tots.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score Greenville opened the night with a 4-2 lead and less than six minutes left to go in the carryover game from last night. After starting the night on the penalty kill, the Monarchs tallied a goal to bring themselves within one. Greenville managed to kill off the remaining minutes and hold on for the victory. Branden Troock and Allan McPherson each tallied multi-point games for Greenville and Joe Houk earned the game-winning tally in the win.
The Monarchs enacted revenge to begin the game, netting the opening goal in the contest less than 11 minutes in. Greenville countered back and tied the game at 12:02 of the first period. Herbert scored his 16th goal of the season on Greenville’s first power play chance of the night. McPherson continued his hot trend with his third goal in two games to give Greenville the lead at 13:40 of the first period. Defenseman Matt Prapavessis fed the center on a breakaway pass that sprung the fourth-year forward. The Swamp Rabbits took the advantage all the way to the intermission.
Manchester was able to add a pair of goals to retake the lead in the second period. Zac Lynch and Joel Lowry net the tallies for the Monarchs as the game extended into the third period with a 3-2 Manchester lead. McPherson and the Swamp Rabbits were quick to respond at the start of the third period. The Kinburn, Ontario native scored his thirteenth goal of the year on a long shot just as he crossed into the offensive zone. The puck flew past Branden Komm just inside the post as McPherson tie the contest again.
The back and forth game continued as teams trucked through the first five minutes of the period in a 3-3 stalemate. The Monarchs capitalized on a pair of goals soon after to take the momentum and eventually the win. The tallies by Mikkel Aagaard and David Kolomatis were separated by only 20 seconds and were followed by three more late goals in the final 11 minutes of the game.
Curt Gogol scored his third of the season at 17:18 as Greenville’s pressure resulted in some late opportunities. Gogol’s shot from the right circle came off the rebound and was fired into a near empty net.
Komm earned the victory in the game after Williams took the loss with 23 saves in the first game of the weekend. Swamp Rabbits netminder Brandon Halverson played in both games this weekend, finishing the first of two with a 37-save win but falling in the second contest. The home-ice split between the Swamp Rabbits and Monarchs levels the season series at 2-2-0-0. The teams will meet again in a rubber match on Feb. 15 at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
THIRSTY THURSDAY | Thursday, December 21 | 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, and select $2 concessions from 5-8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased before the game through the Swamp Rabbits office or at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena box office.
WINTER WONDERLAND PACKAGE | Saturday, December 23 | 7 p.m.
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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