Tosti: Swamp Rabbits Early Lead Overturned by Walleye
Greenville nets two first period goals but fall in the final game of three-in-three against Central Division.
BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Toledo, OH – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (20-31-4-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, capitalized on a pair of turnovers in the first period to lead 2-1 at the end of the first period. The Toledo Walleye (37-14-2-2) managed a pair of power-play goals and earned two more to take the final game of the weekend 5-2 at the Huntington Center. The Walleye have won 12 straight on home ice.
BOX SCORE
Turnovers caused three goals in the first period as the Swamp Rabbits took a 2-1 advantage into the first intermission. Toledo opened the scoring a little more than a minute into the game as the Walleye capitalized on a Greenville turnover in the defensive zone. Dylan Sadowy grabbed an errant pass and put the puck across to Kyle Bonis on the left side of the crease for a one-timer. Bonis earned his 16th of the season on the play to put Toledo up 1-0.
Swamp Rabbits goaltender Ty Rimmer made a slew of saves for Greenville in the period. The 16-minute mark the goaltender made a group of stops before the team turned the puck up the ice. Shane Walsh grabbed a long pass up the ice to begin a 2-on-1 with Austin McKay. The Swamp Rabbits winger did not need the assistance of McKay as he walked to the left circle and launched his fourth goal of the season past netminder Pat Nagle.
Greenville’s forecheck did not let up even when the first period was nearing its end. Joe Basaraba cut off a pass on the right wing and picked his head up to find Carter Sandlak wide open in the high slot. A long shot by the winger tucked just inside the post to give Greenville the lead with three seconds left in the period.
In the second period, the Swamp Rabbits effort continued but the Walleye turned in a pair of goals. Sadoway got the scoring started for the Walleye, netting an individual effort at 7:37 of the period. The shot tucked just under the crossbar to tie the game at two. The Walleye then converted on a power play to take the lead. Erik Bradford battled for a rebound following two saves from Rimmer, finally netting his 15th of the season.
Bonis finished his night in the third period, tallying a power-play goal at 6:15. Mike Borkowski slid the puck across the slot to Bonis who was wide open on the left side of the zone. The Walleye’s final goal came in the last eight minutes. After Greenville’s power play had ended, Mike Embach was handed a pass and stepped into the offensive zone. The winger tallied his fourth of the season to help Toledo hang onto a win on home ice.
Nagel finished the night with 36 saves as Greenville peppered his net with 38 shots in the game. Rimmer’s third appearance in three games ended with 26 saves. The team heads to Estero, Florida to continue a five-game road trip. The Swamp Rabbits and Florida Everblades will play two games at Germain Arena next Friday and Saturday.
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