Forward’s third goal in two games gives Greenville the win
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — 4:22 into overtime, forward Chris Izmirlian broke in on a two-on-one break with teammate Johno May and did not miss. The Swamp Rabbits forward connected on his third goal in two games and connected on his fifth goal of the year on a delicious backhander to give the Greenville Swamp Rabbits a 3-2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday night at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
May broke down the right wing with Izmirlian heading to the net. His initial feed was deflected, but Izmirlian batted the puck down, deked to his backhand, and shelved a backhander over Martin Ouellette’s shoulder to secure the victory.
It was a game that featured 74 total shots on goal, 12 power plays, 24 different penalties, 82 minutes’ worth of penalties, and three lead changes. A three-point night by May stoked the Greenville offense, as he scored twice and added the primary game-winning assist on Izmirlian’s GWG.
The Swamp Rabbits opened the scoring 7:48 into the second period, as May fired home a pass from behind the net from linemate Michael Pelech on the power play to give the Swamp Rabbits the lead at 1-0. Much like Wednesday in Norfolk, the Solar Bears seemed to have a response, as Dylan Fitze scored just a minute and two seconds later.
The Solar Bears earned a power play opportunity, and, while they had been quiet heading into the game, Brent Pedersen fought for body position in front of the goal and beat a sprawled Garrett Bartus back to the post to give Orlando the lead at 2-1.
It took just a minute and three seconds this time for the Swamp Rabbits to respond. May, on an unreal three-way passing play, converted on an around-the-world pass from Pelech to tie the game at two.
The game had rough stuff, fight after fight, including simultaneous fights in the second period, with each altercation seemingly swinging the momentum.
Bartus picked up his third win of the season, and was his busiest, making 42 saves on the night. He outlasted an Orlando assault of 13 shots in the third period and being outshot 28-12 down the stretch of the final two periods of play. He was also part in parcel in killing off six of seven Orlando power play opportunities on the night.
The win was the Swamp Rabbits’ first when scoring the opening tally.
The Swamp Rabbits are back in action Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in a rematch against the Orlando Solar Bears. Tickets are available at SwampRabbits.com.
###
Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages!
Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864.674.PUCK (7825) for information on 2018–19 ticket plans, special group rates, and hospitality opportunities and secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at Shop.SwampRabbits.com to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties!
Related
Related posts
Top picks
WOLF PACK SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO P-BRUINS IN GAME 2
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack were forced to settle for a split in Providence, as the Bruins roared back to take Game 2 6-0 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday night. The series, now tied 1-1,…
WOLF PACK TAKE GAME ONE OF SEMIS IN P-TOWN
By: Shay Costa, Howlings PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack’s Anton Blidh scored 1:28 into the third period to give the team a 4-3 road win against his former team, the Providence Bruins, in Game One of the Atlantic Division semifinal in front of…
WOLF PACK GET 3-PT NIGHT FROM PITLICK IN GM 1 WIN
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – Tyler Pitlick picked up three points on Wednesday night as the Hartford Wolf Pack marched into the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence and took Game 1 of their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinals series. The Wolf Pack…
PREGAME: WOLF PACK HOPE TO BUILD ON WIN OVER B’S
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins meet tonight for Game 2 of their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinal series at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m., and coverage…
WOLF PACK SUFFER UGLY LOSS TO P-BRUINS IN GAME 2
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack were forced to settle for a split in Providence, as the Bruins roared back to take Game 2 6-0 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday night. The series, now tied 1-1,…
WOLF PACK TAKE GAME ONE OF SEMIS IN P-TOWN
By: Shay Costa, Howlings PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack’s Anton Blidh scored 1:28 into the third period to give the team a 4-3 road win against his former team, the Providence Bruins, in Game One of the Atlantic Division semifinal in front of…
WOLF PACK GET 3-PT NIGHT FROM PITLICK IN GM 1 WIN
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – Tyler Pitlick picked up three points on Wednesday night as the Hartford Wolf Pack marched into the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence and took Game 1 of their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinals series. The Wolf Pack…
PREGAME: WOLF PACK HOPE TO BUILD ON WIN OVER B’S
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins meet tonight for Game 2 of their best-of-five Atlantic Division Semifinal series at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05 p.m., and coverage…
ORLANDO ENDS SWAMP RABBITS SEASON
Swamp Rabbits show life late, but Orlando pulls away to win the series BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC– Jaydon Dureau’s two-goal night spearheaded a 5-1 Orlando Solar Bears win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Tuesday to win the South Division Semifinals…
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…
Stay connected with ours socials