TOSTI: (FRI) Ty Rimmer Spectacular in 50-Save Victory over Everblades
Greenville completes come-from-behind effort with a 4-3 shootout victory over South Division leaders.
BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Estero, FL – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (20-22-3-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, pulled off a 4-3-comeback victory in the shootout to take the first of two games against the Florida Everblades (30-9-1-4). Swamp Rabbits goaltender Ty Rimmer made 50 saves in the effort including a 21-save shutout during the second period. Greenville is 2-0-0-0 against the Everblades this season with a pair of victories in the shootout.
BOX SCORE
Greenville opened the scoring in the first period with a 3-on-2 transition. During the even start, the Swamp Rabbits took the opportunity with a clean breakout as Wade Murphy found Evan Jasper at center ice. Joe Basaraba got behind the defense and Jasper tossed the puck just inside the zone for a breakaway opportunity for the fourth-year pro. Basaraba tucked a backhanded effort just past Everblades goaltender Martin Ouellette to put Greenville on the board less than eight minutes into the game.
The Everblades and Swamp Rabbits continued to battle in an even first period and Florida managed to equalize the game. After a quick shot, it hit the pads of Rimmer and bounced right to the stick of John McCarron inside of the left circle. His quick shot found a gap between Rimmer’s pads to tie the contest at one.
In the second period, the ice was tilted toward the Swamp Rabbits defensive zone. Greenville needed to be defensively sound in the frame to deny the Everblades 21 shots, which included a power play opportunity. Greenville went a perfect 3-for-3 on the man advantage in the game with Rimmer holding down the fort in the middle period.
The final period was entertaining, to say the least. The Everblades tallied two goals to take the advantage as Mark Berry factored in on both tallies for Florida. After scoring his third goal of the season at 13:57, the Swamp Rabbits battled back quickly. In his first ECHL game, Garret Clemment was quick to make an impact. The newly acquired forward was tossed a breakaway pass on the ensuing faceoff, scoring Greenville’s second goal of the game nine seconds after Berry.
It only took him another 14 seconds to tie the game a 3-3. Caleb Herbert won an offensive faceoff right over to Shane Walsh for a hard one-timer at the top of the right circle. Ouellette made a great save to keep the effort out but opened the door wide for Clemment to tally the rebound at the top of the crease. The three tallies in 23 seconds quickly changed the momentum of the game in Greenville’s favor.
The Swamp Rabbits forced the game to overtime where Rimmer would again shine. The netminder made seven saves in the five-minute overtime period including a group of saves in the final minute to push his save total to 50 on the night. His work in the extra period eventually moved the game to a shootout. Herbert opened the scoring in the skills competition to give Greenville the early edge. In the third round, McCarron scored the Everblades only shootout goal to extend the game further into sudden death. Walsh ended the night in the fifth round to solidify the comeback and the Swamp Rabbits second straight win.
Rimmer tied his career high of 50 saves in the victory and is now 4-1-0-0 in games this season when facing 50 or more shots. Ouelette suffered the shootout loss with 26 saves in the contest and is still winless against Greenville in four career contests.
The Swamp Rabbits and Everblades face off again tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. for the second time this weekend.
2-FOR-$20 NIGHT | Tuesday, February 6 | 7 p.m.
We are throwing ticket prices back on Tuesday night. 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.
REMINDER: Feb. 8 Moved to Feb. 20
The Swamp Rabbits home game originally scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8 has been moved to Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. The Swamp Rabbits will face the Atlanta Gladiators for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night presented by Michelin. For more information on the rescheduled contest, visit SwampRabbits.com.
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