BY: Matt Trust, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – Tonight, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hit the ice at Bon Secours Wellness Arena for their Home Opener against the Florida Everblades. The Florida Everblades are the ECHL affiliate for the NHL’s Nashville Predators and AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (1-1-0-0) v. Florida Everblades (2-0-0-0)
12/18/20, | 7 PM | Game #3 | Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Referees: Nolan Bloyer (31)
Linesmen: Shane Gustafson (87), Ben Shiley (92)
ECHL STANDINGS
Promotion:
Rabbit Rags (ALL FANS); Heroes of the Upstate Night
Ticket Information:
https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2D005971BD851811
Broadcast Information:
WATCH LIVE: https://www.flohockey.tv/
LISTEN LIVE: https://mixlr.com/swamp-rabbits
LAST TIME OUT:
Last Saturday, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits dropped a tight 4-3 decision to the Jacksonville Icemen. Down 3-0 after 20 minutes, Greenville fought back with two strikes separated by only 64 seconds. Kamerin Nault poked a loose puck home at 15:40 of the second period followed by a Joey Haddad redirect. Icemen’s Nick Saracino scored the eventual game-winning goal on the power play at 1:14 of the third period. The Florida Everblades are coming off a 4-2 win over Orlando last Saturday night. Cameron Hebig, Patrick Harper, Joe Pendenza, and Michael Hunterbrinker all scored for the Everblades.
HADDAD FOR THREE:
Swamp Rabbits forward Joey Haddad contributed to all three of Greenville’s goals scored last Saturday. Haddad scored in the second period on Jacksonville goaltender Eamon McAdam and tallied helpers on strikes by Kamerin Nault and Mike McNamee. For the Sydney, Nova Scotia native, it was a long time between contributions at the ECHL level. Returning to North America after six seasons in the United Kingdom, Haddad’s goal was his first in the ECHL since March 19, 2014. Prior to Saturday, Haddad’s last ECHL three-point night was against the Florida Everblades on March 8, 2014.
MAKING A “McNAMEE” FOR HIMSELF:
Mike McNamee converted on the power play to pull Greenville within 4-3 at 11:22 of the third period on Saturday. The goal marked McNamee’s first career North American professional strike. In his fourth professional season, the Perth, Ontario native previously made stops in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Germany. Last Friday, McNamee skated in his ECHL debut and first North American pro game since his American Hockey League debut with the Syracuse Crunch in 2017. McNamee made his pro debut with Syracuse on March 3, 2017, and dressed for 12 games. Including his European pro numbers, McNamee enters tonight with 118 points (51 goals, 67 points) in 132 all-pro games.
SPECIAL TEAMS LOOK IN:
Entering Week 2 of the ECHL season, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits are one of four teams in the league tied for most power play goals (2). Overall, the Swamp Rabbits are ranked third out of 13 in power play percentage (18.2) after a 2-for-11 weekend on the man-advantage. Greenville’s penalty killer started the season with a perfect 7-for-7 performance on Friday night at South Carolina and followed with a 3-for-5 night at Jacksonville.
BITS BULLETS:
Ben Finkelstein’s two goals lead all ECHL defenseman…The Bits are the only team in the ECHL with an overtime victory. Two other ECHL games last weekend requiring extra time were both decided in shootouts…Tonight is the 105th all-time meeting between Greenville and the Florida Everblades…Both teams met only once in the Kelly Cup Playoffs in franchise history (2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals).
#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
