Swamp Rabbits enter busy weekend against South Division foes
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
WEEKLY RECAP
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits found a way to hang around in both games this past weekend but were ultimately unable to pick up the two points in their two games over the past weekend.
Atlanta struck three times in the second period, including a shorthanded goal from Justin MacDonald, the eventual game-winner, to jump out in front. Greenville cut Atlanta’s lead to 3-1 with a tally from Dylan Vander Esch to begin the third period, but ultimately, former Swamp Rabbit Branden Troock ended that comeback effort with a goal of his own in the third period to seal up the 4-1 win for the Gladiators on their Opening Night.
The Opening Night tour continued in Charleston, as the Stanley Cup was in attendance for the Stingrays’ opener. The status of South Carolina’s starting goaltender Parker Milner was unknown until hours before the game, when his return from Hershey was announced. Devin Buffalo got the start in his ECHL debut and dueled stride for stride with the longtime Stingrays goaltender. Greenville opened the scoring and raced out to a 2-1 lead midway through the first period. But untimely penalties gave South Carolina the lead at the end of the first. Chris Izmirlian tied the game at three, but three unanswered goals from the Stingrays ultimately led to the Swamp Rabbits’ loss.
Up next for Greenville is a shot against more South Division opponents, including Atlanta, to try and bridge the gap and get back on the winning side of the ledger.
10/19 @ Atlanta — 4-1 L
10/20 @ South Carolina — 7-4 L
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Michael Pelech – 2 GP | 2 goals, 12 shots on goal
Saturday night was Michael Pelech‘s most dominant shooting performance of his storied ECHL career, with 10 shots on goal alone against the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday, which beat his previous record of 8. He scored two goals on the night, including the tally to open the scoring and give the Swamp Rabbits a 2-1 lead in the first period.
Pelech enters the second weekend of the season with 4 points (2 goals, 2 assists) in his first 4 games, at a point-per-game pace.
RABBIT TAILS
- It wasn’t the top line’s best weekend defensively, but offensively, it was one to remember. Austen Brassard and Johno May added two assists, and Michael Pelech scored twice, all in the game against the South Carolina Stingrays.
- Welcome to the first ECHL goal club, Dylan Vander Esch and Trevor Owens! Both scored their first goal in the league over the weekend, with Vander Esch’s coming on Friday night and Owens’ on Saturday night.
- Greenville’s scoring depth is evident and will need to carry the way moving forward. 11 players have registered at least a point on the season in just four games. The team has scored three or more goals in three of the four games they have played this season.
UPCOMING GAMES
- Friday, October 26 | @ Jacksonville Icemen | 7:35 p.m.
- Saturday, October 27 | vs. Atlanta Gladiators | 7:05 p.m.
- Sunday, October 28 | vs. Jacksonville Icemen | 3:05 p.m.
SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS
- South Carolina Stingrays (3-2-0-0) – 6 pts
- Jacksonville Icemen (2-0-0-0) – 4 pts
- Florida Everblades (2-2-0-0) – 4 pts
- Atlanta Gladiators (2-2-0-0) – 4 pts
- Norfolk Admirals (2-1-0-0) – 4 pts
- Orlando Solar Bears (2-3-0-0) – 4 pts
- Greenville Swamp Rabbits (1-2-1-0) – 3 pts
*standings as of 10:00 a.m. on October 22, 2018
