Swamp Rabbits strike first, but can’t hold off Rays’ charge
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — An absolutely dominant first period by the Greenville Swamp Rabbits proved just shy of what was enough to win. The South Carolina Stingrays posted two goals in the middle frame and turned the tables, leading to a 2-1 win over Greenville on Sunday afternoon at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
The first period saw the Swamp Rabbits outshoot the Stingrays 17-8, and outscore the Rays 1-0. It also saw Greenville pick up its first power play opportunity of the afternoon.
After a massive net mouth scramble, a shot attempt in the middle of all of the fracas bounded off of forward Dylan Vander Esch and into the goal to open the scoring for Greenville, who was shut out the night before. Kamerin Nault and Stephen Pierog picked up assists on the goal.
With as much fervor in which the Swamp Rabbits opened the game, South Carolina took the momentum back in the second period with a dominant effort. At the conclusion of a slashing penalty by Sam Fioretti, Grant Besse found his way through the defense and created a 2-on-0 break that turned into a breakaway, and his snap shot beat Chris Nell to the blocker side to tie the game at one.
South Carolina would utilize special teams to score their second goal as well. Sent on his horse by Tim Harrison, Patrick Gaul broke through the Swamp Rabbits’ defense and took the puck to the net and just got it to go for the eventual game-winning goal.
Greenville forced two power play opportunities in the third period, including a massively important one at the 13:54 mark, and pulled Nell with two minutes to play, but goaltender Parker Milner stood the test of time.
Milner, playing in his first start since December 8, made 36 saves for his ninth win of the season, and the 113th of his ECHL career. He was routinely spectacular, including some sprawling saves to close out the action in the third period and keep Greenville off the board and preserve the one-goal win.
Milner made 15 saves to close out the win in the third period alone.
The chilly power play remained chilly, but the hot penalty kill remained hot. Greenville’s power play went 0-for-5, but the PK went 2-for-2.
Greenville takes to the road to take on the Atlanta Gladiators on Wednesday, January 30. The game can be heard exclusively on ESPN Upstate, or seen on the ECHL’s streaming video provider, ECHL.TV.
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