Newcomer Kamerin Nault posts game-winning goal in OT
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Consider a season-long losing streak a thing of the past. Kamerin Nault sent the fans home happy with the overtime winner at the 2:36 mark of the extra session in a dramatic, back-and-forth affair. The Swamp Rabbits defeated the Atlanta Gladiators 4-3 on Monday night at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Nault took a feed at the top of the zone on a cycle play between Michael Pelech and J.C. Brassard, and fired a seeing-eye shot from the left circle that beat reigning ECHL Goaltender of the Month Sean Bonar to the top shelf and completed the crazy affair that saw the Swamp Rabbits notch their first win since January 5.
Since joining the team on January 25, Nault has six points in six games, and four goals in his past three games.
Greenville brought the positive mojo to begin the game and raced out to an early lead. Pelech cleaned up a breakaway from Austen Brassard with the first goal of the game. Brassard’s shot squeaked through Bonar’s legs, and Pelech helped the puck cross the line to open the scoring.
Luke Ripley also joined the scoring party four minutes later with his first as a pro. A clean faceoff win thanks to Nault and Johno May gave Ripley his chance to fire away, and the shot clanked off the post and in to double the lead.
It was there, however, where the game changed. Atlanta outshot Greenville 13-5 in the second period and saw the game’s fortunes switch to the other side.
Atlanta’s top-ranked power play carried the way with the opening goal of the second period. Halfway through it, Brett McKenzie feathered a pass cross-ice to Daniel Leavens, and the newcomer to the Glads’ lineup halved the Swamp Rabbits’ lead. Alex Overhardt followed up with a goal of his own to close out the second period.
The power play converted once more to begin the third period, as veteran Derek Nesbitt connected on a bit of a change-up that got through goaltender Chris Nell through a screen in front, another power play goal, to give the Glads their first lead of the night.
It took until the 16:41 mark for the Swamp Rabbits to get their opportunity, and they did not miss. Jake Bolton blasted away from the point for his first goal since January 5 against the Worcester Railers.
The season-long home swing ended with a win, and will now see the team embark on a road-heavy part of the schedule, with seven of the next eight games away from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
The busy weekend for Greenville begins with a date with the Railers on Friday, February 8. Catch all of the action on the Swamp Rabbits Broadcast Network, or on ECHL.TV.
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