Swamp Rabbits look to climb the standings with an impending road swing
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits matched up with two South Division opponents and looked to get back to basics. The Swamp Rabbits had two leads in a Halloween night tilt against the Norfolk Admirals, but a crucial power play goal and late defensive play by the Ads kept them in front, and Greenville went home unhappy.
It was a chance for the Swamp Rabbits to bounce back in a big way against the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday, and they did. A game that featured over 80 penalty minutes and plenty of special teams opportunities ended 2-2 after regulation, and it needed a golden goal hero. Chris Izmirlian filled the part with his third goal of the week, the game-winner, to give Greenville the home win.
Orlando played a near picture perfect road game on Saturday night and frustrated Greenville all night. A squeaky point shot from the point found a way through, and it set the tone for the rest of the night in a 4-0 loss. It was the first time the Swamp Rabbits were shut out all season.
10/31 @ Norfolk — L 3-2
11/2 vs. Orlando — W 3-2
11/3 vs. Orlando — L 4-0
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Chris Izmirlian – 3 GP | 3 G – 0 A – 3 P
When the Swamp Rabbits needed goals, they turned to #16. Chris Izmirlian connected on two opportunities against the Norfolk Admirals on Halloween night, which gave Greenville two separate leads and followed it up with his best work yet. He knocked down a cross-ice dish from Johno May in overtime and slipped a short side backhander to complete an entertaining 3-2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears.
RABBIT TAILS
- Head coach Kevin Kerr completed a few moves on Monday morning to continue to shape the 2018–19 roster. The Swamp Rabbits acquired forward Thomas Ebbing from the Fort Wayne Komets in exchange for future considerations and released forwards Stanislav Dzakhov and Charley Graaskamp.
- Garrett Bartus has been a part of eight of ten games played so far this season for the Swamp Rabbits in goal. He ranks third in minutes played (486), and third in saves (253) in the ECHL.
- Johno May has been a beast this season for Greenville. No question. He ranks third in rookie points (11), tied for second in rookie goals (7), first in rookie power play goals (4) and rookie power play points (5).
UPCOMING GAMES
- Monday, November 5 | vs. Norfolk Admirals | 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, November 9 | @ Wheeling Nailers | 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, November 10 | @ Wheeling Nailers | 7:00 p.m.
SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS
- Jacksonville Icemen (6-1-0-0) – 12 pts
- South Carolina Stingrays (6-4-0-0) – 12 pts
- Norfolk Admirals (6-3-0-0) – 12 pts
- Orlando Solar Bears (5-3-1-0) – 11 pts
- Atlanta Gladiators (3-3-2-0) – 8 pts
- Florida Everblades (3-3-2-0) – 8 pts
- Greenville Swamp Rabbits (3-6-1-0) – 7 pts
*standings as of 10:00 a.m. on November 5, 2018
