TRUST: GAME PREVIEW – SWAMP RABBITS at ICEMEN, 7 PM 

BY: Matt Trust, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville, SC – Tonight, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits conclude their Opening Weekend with a 7 PM road match-up with the Jacksonville Icemen. The Icemen are the ECHL affiliate for the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and AHL’s Manitoba Moose.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits (1-0-0-0) at Jacksonville Icemen (0-1-0-0)
December 12, 2020 | 7 PM | Game #2 | Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena
Referees: Sean MacFarlane (4)
Linesmen: Shane Gustafson (87), Kilian McNamara (90)

ECHL STANDINGS

Broadcast Information:

WATCH LIVE: https://www.flohockey.tv/
LISTEN LIVE: https://mixlr.com/swamp-rabbits

LAST TIME OUT:
ECHL Hockey returned last night with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits winning a 3-2 overtime thriller over the in-state South Carolina Stingrays. Max Novak opened the scoring for the Stingrays at 6:48 of the second period, and Bryan Moore answered for the Swamp Rabbits at 9:07. Tied at 1-1 in the third period, South Carolina jumped back out in front, 2-1, on Caleb Herbert’s first goal of the season. But in his pro debut, blueliner Ben Finkelstein tied the game on a 4-on-3 power play goal at 8:08 and won the game in overtime at 3:11 for the Upstate. Last night, the Jacksonville Icemen dropped a 6-1 road decision to the Florida Everblades. The Icemen’s lone goal came from Luke Shiplo at 4:17 of the second period.

BIG BEN STANDS TALL:
Last night, Ben Finkelstein stormed into the professional ranks with a two-goal performance in his professional debut. The South Burlington, Vermont native played his last two seasons at Boston College and compiled six total goals in 56 games between his junior and senior seasons. In 2019-20, two of his five goals scored collegiately were game-winners. The 23-year-old blueliner is a 7^th round selection by the Florida Panthers in the 2017 NHL Draft.

A NIGHT OF FIRSTS:
Five Swamp Rabbits last night made their professional hockey debut. Karch Bachman, Ben Finkelstein, Nick Poehling, Jack Poehling and Matt Wedman all skated in their first pro game in Greenville’s 3-2 overtime win at South Carolina. Mike McNamee recorded his first career ECHL point with the primary assist on Finkelstein’s overtime game-winning goal. Bryan Moore recorded the club’s first goal of the season in the second period last night and dropped the gloves minutes later, finishing the night only an assist shy of a Gordie Howe Hat-Trick. Wedman assisted on Moore’s tally for his first career professional point. Greenville’s win marked the very first ECHL coaching victory for Swamp Rabbits’ first-year Head Coach, Andrew Lord.

LONG TIME COMING:
Last night, Brendan Connolly made his North American hockey return and skated in his first ECHL game since Apr. 10, 2015. Connolly contributed two assists for his first ECHL multi-point game since Mar. 28, 2015. The Canmore, Alberta native played for the Greenville Road Warriors for parts of three seasons from 2010-2013. In his 12^th pro season, Connolly has played 604 total games and has registered 620 points (262 goals, 358 assists) including 333 points at the ECHL level. Forward Joey Haddad also skated in his first ECHL game since Apr. 5, 2014.

GETTING ‘IGGY WITH IT:
Ryan Bednard stopped 25 of 27 shots, including key stops late in the game to help the Swamp Rabbits to their 3-2 overtime win. Should Greenville turn to goaltender Jacob Ingham tonight, it will mark his professional debut in the net. The 20-year-old netminder is a 6^th round selection by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2018 NHL Draft. Last season in the OHL, Ingham led the league in wins with 33 for the Kitchener Rangers and finished tops in the OHL with total saves (1,501).

#RABBITSRISING#

SINGLE GAME TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
Rise With Us and pack Bon Secours Wellness Arena for the return of professional hockey in the United States! Single Game Tickets are available to purchase today here.

GEAR UP!
Get ready for the 2020–21 season by heading to our online store, the Hop Shop to purchase your brand new jerseys. On sale now!

ABOUT US
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing family-friendly, live entertainment at Bon Secours Wellness Arena since 2010. Formerly the Greenville Road Warriors, the Swamp Rabbits are the highest level professional minor league franchise in South Carolina. The Swamp Rabbits are proud affiliates of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Greenville is a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League. Since the conclusion of the 2019-20 NHL Season, 678 former ECHL players have debuted in the NHL. Nine former Greenville Road Warriors/Swamp Rabbits have later made their NHL debut