TOSTI: (THUR) Greenville Shut Down by Manchester’s Early Advantage
Swamp Rabbits fall against high-powered offensive night by Monarchs in the second home game of the week.
BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (20-26-3-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, ran into a hot Manchester Monarchs (30-16-3-1) squad tonight at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, falling 7-2 to the North Division leaders. The Monarchs powered ahead to a four-goal advantage and never relinquished the lead to take the rubber match of the five-game season series between the clubs.
The Monarchs took two turnovers and turned them into goals against the Swamp Rabbits in the first period. Matt Marcinew stole a puck at the blue line from Greenville and took the chance into the zone on a mini 2-on-1. Marcinew tossed a puck from the left side of the net and found Spencer Watson wide-open five minutes into the period. Watson’s shot tucked just under the crossbar to open the scoring in the contest.
Ty Rimmer needed to make a big save on another chance late in the period. This time, the Monarchs were shorthanded and Francois Beauchemin sped down the ice on a breakaway. The forward was denied by Rimmer, but a centering pass from the corner moments later found the back of the net. Defenseman Eric Schurhamer came into the high slot undetected to net his second goal of the season. The goal came with less than a minute to play in the period.
After a close first period, the Monarchs entered the second with two quick goals. Jordan LaVallee Smotherman put his 27th goal of the season into the net finding the center of the Swamp Rabbits defense and collecting a hard pass from Matt Marcinew. Michael Downing put an end to the night for Rimmer four minutes later with his first goal of the season. The defenseman walked down to the low angle and tucked a shot under the crossbar to make it 4-0 Monarchs.
Greg Dodds entered the game at that point as Rimmer finished the game with 17 saves. The rookie goaltender stepped up and was perfect on ten more shots in the second period. That helped propel Greenville to their first goal of the game. Joe Basaraba was handed a pass by Shane Walsh at the top of the right circle. After Greenville took the puck away, Basaraba rifled the puck over the shoulder of Matt O’Conner in the Manchester net to make it 4-1 with his 14th tally of the season.
At the break, the Swamp Rabbits had some momentum but were undercut in the first four minutes of the third period by Manchester. Joel Lowry and Spencer Watson translated a pair of turnovers into goals in the offensive zone to extend their lead. Austin McKay tallied one more for Greenville in the third period, backhanding a loose puck past O’Connor from the right side of the net at 5:41 but that was as close as the Swamp Rabbits would come in the contest.
Dodds ended the game 20-of-23 in the net while Rimmer suffered the loss. O’Connor helped the Monarchs to their 30th win of the season with 31 stops in net. Greenville also ended the game 5-for-5 on the penalty kill but they were halted on three power-play chances.
The Swamp Rabbits travel to Norfolk tonight to face the Admirals on Friday and Saturday night. Greenville is two points ahead of the Admirals in the South Division Standings headed into the weekend series.
ADVANCED MANUFACTURING & ENGINEERING NIGHT presented by Michelin | Tuesday, February 20 | 7 p.m.
The Swamp Rabbits will face the Atlanta Gladiators for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night presented by Michelin. The night will offer students the ability to learn more about Michelin’s school programs and see demonstrations on the concourse. It is also a 2-for-$20 Tuesday 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.
Related articles
- Hitting 400 proves elusive for Penguins’ Sidney Crosby
- Lone Boston Bruin Brad Marchand delivers at NHL All-Star Weekend
- Lundqvist, Zibanejad Lead Rangers To Shootout Win Over Coyotes
- Ex-NHL star’s wife: Trump made advance on me in elevator
- Another Woman Accuses President Trump of Being ‘Aggressive’ With Her
Related
Related posts
Top picks
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
WOLF PACK TAKE ON CHARLOTTE CHECKERS IN FIRST ROUND
All Three Games to Take Place in North Carolina By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT—The Hartford Wolf Pack and Charlotte Checkers will face off in an Atlantic Division first-round series to kick off the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Due to the distance traveled,…
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los…