Greenville hosts Norfolk after holiday break
BY: Jordan Kuhn, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – The past weekend marked a two-game set against the second-best team in the South Division, the Florida Everblades. Looking to close the gap, even while shorthanded at the forward position, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits entered Hertz Arena in search of rare success against the ‘Blades.
Florida swept the 10-game season series, and has dominated the season series for years. The Swamp Rabbits ceded the first goal just nine seconds in, and trailed after the first period, but utilized a second-period rally to take a lead they would not cede.
Down 2-1, Greenville struck twice in short order. Matt Marcinew and Nathan Perkovich scored goals in a 1:20 span to take the 3-2 lead heading into the third period, where the team has not lost when leading.
Michael Pelech added much-needed insurance to combat a power play goal from Brandon Fortunato late in the game. It was ultimately Adam Larkin‘s empty-net goal and 32 saves from Ryan Bednard that saved the day in the win.
Florida scored in the opening minute, twice in the opening minute and 16 seconds, and four times overall in the opening period to set the tone on Saturday. The ‘Blades posted 16 shots in the first period, and blitzed the Greenville defense looking to get the split.
Adam Rockwood delved into the lead in a bounce-back second period, a goal that snapped a 22-game goal drought, to get the Swamp Rabbits on the board. A controversial call prevented Greenville from cutting the lead in half on a shot by Dylan MacPherson that was called back on goaltender interference.
Justin Auger and Perkovich traded strikes in the third period, and the Everblades held onto the lead and Greenville split the weekend set, heading into the holiday break.
12/20 at Florida Everblades – W 5-3
12/21 at Florida Everblades – L 5-2
UPCOMING GAMES
Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Norfolk Admirals
UGLY SWEATER NIGHT
Friday, December 27 – 7:05 p.m.
Tickets — Listen — Watch
Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Norfolk Admirals
STAR WARS NIGHT
Saturday, December 28 – 6:05 p.m.
Tickets — Listen — Watch
Greenville Swamp Rabbits at Atlanta Gladiators
Sunday, December 29 – 2:05 p.m.
Listen — Watch
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nathan Perkovich – 2 GP | 2 G – 2 A – 4 P
The former Florida Everblades forward did a number on his last club, with a three-point effort on Friday night, and added a goal on Saturday night, to lead all Swamp Rabbits scorers over the weekend. Perkovich has been sneaky good for the team, with the second-most points on the team (21), and the most assists (15).
RABBIT TAILS
- Liam Pecararo‘s breakout season rolls on. He ranks tied for seventh in league scoring, third in league goal scoring, second in rookie scoring, and tops in rookie goal scoring.
- Friday’s empty net goal counted as a shorthanded goal, so the Swamp Rabbits are now tied for the league lead in shorthanded goals (7).
- In the third period, the Swamp Rabbits have a +6 goal differential.
- Two players ended goal droughts—Patrick Bajkov ended a ten-game drought, and Adam Rockwood ended a 22-game drought.
SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS
- South Carolina Stingrays (21-2-3) – 45 pts
- Florida Everblades (17-8-4) – 38 pts
- Greenville Swamp Rabbits (14-14-1) – 29 pts
- Orlando Solar Bears (12-12-5) – 29 pts
- Atlanta Gladiators (11-15-0) – 22 pts
- Jacksonville Icemen (9-13-4) – 22 pts
- Norfolk Admirals (9-18-3) – 21 pts
*standings as of 10:00 a.m. on December 23, 2019
Related
Related posts
Top picks
WOLF PACK SEND BRUINS PACKING WITH OT WIN
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack are headed to the Atlantic Division Finals for the second straight season. A wild bounce saw a puck clip Jake Leschyshyn and beat Brandon Bussi 9:41 into overtime of Game 4 at…
PRE-GAME: WOLF PACK CAN CLOSE OUT BRUINS TONIGHT
PRE-GAME REPORT: WOLF PACK LOOK TO CLOSE OUT SERIES AGAINST BRUINS AT XL CENTER By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack welcome the Providence Bruins to town tonight for Game 4 of their Atlantic Division Semifinals series. Thanks to…
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 SEND BRUINS PACKING WITH OT WIN
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Wolf Pack are headed to the Atlantic Division Finals for the second straight season. A wild bounce saw a puck clip Jake Leschyshyn and beat Brandon Bussi 9:41 into overtime of Game 4 at…
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…
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