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KUHNS: SWAMP RABBITS WEEKLY #5

Greenville faces a big week ahead after gaining momentum

BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, SC – The week that was, saw a mixed bag for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. The week began with a close, one-goal loss at the hands of the Norfolk Admirals that saw the Swamp Rabbits claw within a goal twice, but it was a late tally by the Admirals that led to the one-goal loss. That night saw the Rabbits fire a season-high 41 shots on goal, and end a streak of 100 minutes and 26 seconds of shutout hockey, but ultimately, it was the visitors that came out on top.

A trip north was next in the plans for Greenville, and in the end, the team ended up with a split with the Wheeling Nailers. The Rabbits gave up two first period tallies, and a backbreaking power play goal against in the third period en route to a 5-1 loss.

In a feat that has to be some sort of record, Jake Bolton connected on four consecutive goals for the Swamp Rabbits throughout the week, with two goals against Norfolk, one more against Wheeling Friday, and the first goal against Wheeling on Saturday. He got some help from fellow defenseman Trevor Owens on the second goal of the night, as Greenville came out on fire. They outshot the opposition 10-4 in the first period and outscored them 2-0. Wheeling had some comeback magic to tie the game at two, but it was in overtime where Greenville could celebrate.

Austen Brassard picked up a miss from defenseman Sean Flanagan, skated into the high slot, and made no mistake. His goal sent Greenville onto the bus happy, and heading into Cincinnati to close out the road swing, and return home.

11/5 vs. Norfolk — L 3-2
11/9 @ Wheeling — L 5-1
11/10 @ Wheeling — W 3-2

PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jake Bolton – 3 GP | 4 G – 0 A – 4 P
Call it the Rabbits Report effect. Since starring on the ESPN Upstate program, Bolton scored four consecutive goals for the Swamp Rabbits this past week—all slap shots. He ranks tied for second in defensive goal scoring with his cannon from the point. The rugged d-man has not shown any hesitancy to shoot the puck, as his 30 shots on goal trail only Austen Brassard (33) and Johno May (39). 2 of his 4 goals came on the power play, which has heated up over the past week, and has risen to 16th in the league at 15.4%, and has been one of the most prolific, with the fourth-most goals scored (10).

RABBIT TAILS

  • Austen Brassard‘s OT winner against the Wheeling Nailers moved him into the top spot in team scoring with 12 points and tied for eighth in league scoring. He also holds the team’s second-best shooting percentage among regulars in the lineup (15.2%).
  • Garrett Bartus continues to be one of the more busy goaltenders in the ECHL. He ranks second in minutes played (667) and third in saves (343). Only Newfoundland’s Michael Garteig has played in more games, played more minutes, and made more saves.
  • The Swamp Rabbits may have taken 243 minutes in penalties this season—third most in the league behind Rapid CIty’s 281 and Allen’s 282, but the Rabbits have also forced their opponents to take 245 minutes in penalties, which is second-most in the league.
  • Saturday’s win improved the team’s overtime record to 2-1. Chris Izmirlian, just a short time ago, sent the Swamp Rabbits home happy with his OT marker to end an entertaining game against the Orlando Solar Bears. Austen Brassard added to that with his goal on Saturday night. That goal led to Greenville’s first road win of the season.

UPCOMING GAMES

SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS

  1. Norfolk Admirals (8-4-0-0) – 16 pts
  2. Orlando Solar Bears (7-3-1-0) – 15 pts
  3. Jacksonville Icemen (7-4-0-0) – 14 pts
  4. South Carolina Stingrays (6-6-0-0) – 12 pts
  5. Florida Everblades (5-3-2-0) – 12 pts
  6. Atlanta Gladiators (4-4-2-0) – 10 pts
  7. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (4-8-1-0) – 9 pts

*standings as of 10:00 a.m. on November 12, 2018