South Division string continues for Greenville
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
WEEKLY RECAP
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits continued to play against the gauntlet of the South Division and learned quickly not to trifle with the league’s remaining undefeated club. The Swamp Rabbits matched up with a supremely talented Jacksonville Icemen team on Friday and Sunday. On Friday, Greenville cut Jacksonville’s 2-0 lead to 2-1, and a 3-1 lead to 3-2, but a late breakaway goal sealed the Rabbits’ fate.
Saturday saw the rival Atlanta Gladiators come to town, and it shook out exactly how a game against the Glads goes nearly every time. 15 penalties total, two fights, late dramatics and plenty of great action. The Swamp Rabbits gave up the first goal but surged back for three unanswered from Michael Pelech, Will Merchant, and Johno May. Former Rabbit Branden Troock made it interesting late with a goal at the 18:40 mark, but newcomer Jordan Sims‘ two-point night, and Garrett Bartus‘ 27 saves, saved the day in the win.
Sunday, Jacksonville came in fresh, and they kept Greenville off balance all afternoon and utilized a top line that has dominated all season. Alexis D’Aoust finished the weekend with two three-point efforts against the Swamp Rabbits and led the way in a 5-1 victory for the Icemen, which kept them undefeated in the 2018–19 campaign. Austen Brassard scored the lone tally, a power play goal, in the loss.
10/26 @ Jacksonville — 4-2 L
10/27 vs. Atlanta — 4-3 W
10/28 vs. Jacksonville — 5-1 L
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Austen Brassard – 3 GP | 2 G – 3 A – 5 P
Newly-minted alternate captain Austen Brassard is hitting his offensive stride for Greenville in the early part of the season. Defenses have only ever held him without a point in just one game this season, giving him points in six of the first seven games, and in four consecutive. This past weekend, he notched a crucial goal to give Greenville hope on Friday night, added two assists in the win over Atlanta, and buried a power play tally on Sunday afternoon.
RABBIT TAILS
- The Swamp Rabbits have a few active point streaks. Austen Brassard, as mentioned earlier, has a four-game point streak going, with 2 goals and 5 assists inclusive. New captain Michael Pelech also has a four-game point streak, with 3 goals and 3 assists in that span. Sadly, Johno May‘s point streak ended on Sunday, but in the three games he had a streak going, he scored 2 goals and added 3 assists.
- Garrett Bartus is among the goaltenders who have certainly put in the most work this season. He ranks fourth in the league in saves with 181. He has started six of the Swamp Rabbits’ seven games this season, including all three this past weekend.
- Head coach Kevin Kerr wanted his club to be hard to play against. The rough-and-tumble club has indeed taken 144 minutes’ worth of penalties, which is among the higher totals in the league. But even more staggering, the opposition has taken 150, which is far-and-away a league high.
UPCOMING GAMES
- Wednesday, October 31 | @ Norfolk Admirals | 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, November 2 | vs. Orlando Solar Bears | 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 3 | vs. Orlando Solar Bears | 7:00 p.m.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
- Friday, November 2
864 Night
On this night, we celebrate the Upstate and its ever-recognizable area code! Get tickets for $8, get an autographed puck for $6, and a to-be-determined concession item for $4. Get it? 864. - Saturday, November 3
Into the Wild Night, presented by the Greenville Zoo
We’re partnering with the Greenville Zoo to bring out a whole host of animals to The Well! Also, for the kids, a balloon artist and face painter will be on site. A portion of the chuck-a-puck and ticket sales will benefit the Greenville Zoo Foundation.
SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS
- Jacksonville Icemen (5-0-0-0) – 10 pts
- Orlando Solar Bears (4-3-0-0) – 8 pts
- South Carolina Stingrays (4-4-0-0) – 8 pts
- Norfolk Admirals (4-2-0-0) – 8 pts
- Florida Everblades (2-3-1-0) – 5 pts
- Atlanta Gladiators (2-3-1-0) – 5 pts
- Greenville Swamp Rabbits (2-4-1-0) – 5 pts
*standings as of 10:00 a.m. on October 29, 2018
