TRUST: GAME PREVIEW (12/26/2020): SWAMP RABBITS vs. STINGRAYS, 7:05 PM 

BY: Matt Trust, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville, SC – Tonight, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits host their in-state rival South Carolina Stingrays at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. It’s the second meeting of the season between both sides after facing-off on Opening Night in Charleston. The Stingrays are the ECHL affiliate for the National Hockey League’s Washington Capitals and American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears. Tonight’s meeting will mark Greenville’s final home game of 2020.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits (1-3-0-0) vs. South Carolina Stingrays (2-0-1-0)
December 26, 2020 | 7:05 PM | Game #5 | Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Referees: Logan Gruhl (29)
Linesmen: Sean D’Loughy (45), Ken Radolinski (64)

ECHL STANDINGS

Ticket Information:
https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/2D005971BD8D1818

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

LAST TIME OUT:
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell victim to a two-game sweep against the Florida Everblades last weekend at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. In the set’s finale on Saturday, Joey Haddad tallied at 16:06 of the second period to even the score at 1-1. In the third period, Florida scored three times in the frame’s opening 3:12 with goals from Tommy Novak, Patrick Harper, and John McCarron. Blake Winiecki added the final dagger at 14:27 to round out a 5-1 Florida win. The very same night, South Carolina found themselves on the right side of a 5-1 decision against the Jacksonville Icemen. The Stingrays received goals from Cole Ully, Justin Florek, Andrew Cherniwchan, Mason Morelli, and Dylan Steman.

HEY THERE HADDAD:
Joey Haddad was Greenville’s entire source of offense last Saturday, scoring on a delayed penalty late in the second period. In four games this season, Haddad has capitalized twice and recorded two assists since his return to the ECHL. The Sydney, Nova Scotia native spent the last six seasons playing with the United Kingdom’s Cardiff Devils and totaled 245 points (108 goals, 137 assists) in 289 games. Overall, Haddad is 11 games shy of the 600 milestone in his professional career and five goals away from 200. Prior to jumping overseas, Haddad registered 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists) in 61 games with the Gwinnett Gladiators.

JARDINE’S APPLE ORCHARD:
Swamp Rabbits defenseman Samuel Jardine enters tonight with four assists through four games this season. The 27-year-old backend is first in assists among all ECHL blueliners and tied in most total points by a defenseman with fellow teammate Ben Finkelstein (4). Jardine played 45 games with the Cardiff Devils last season and contributed 15 points (four goals, 11 assists). The sixth-year pro won the 2019 Kelly Cup with the Newfoundland Growlers and also made career stops in Orlando, Colorado, and Indy.

SCOUTING THE STINGRAYS:
After the Swamp Rabbits spoiled South Carolina’s Home Opener on December 11, the Stingrays have won their last two outings. The Rays swept a home-and-home set last weekend against Jacksonville, outscoring the opposition by a combined 7-2 margin across six periods. In nine total periods of hockey this season for South Carolina, eight different players have already recorded a goal this season. Only Caleb Herbert has scored twice and did so in each of the first two games on December 11 and December 18. The Stingrays are one of three ECHL teams still looking for their first power play goal of the season, standing at 0-for-16 on the young campaign.

TID-‘BITS:
In all four games this season, Greenville has yielded the contest’s first goal…Cole Ully is South Carolina’s leading point-getter with four (one goal, three assists) in three games…Three Swamp Rabbits recorded their first professional goal last weekend in Karch Bachman, Greg Meireles, and Nick Poehling. Justin Florek earned his first pro goal for South Carolina last Saturday…Hunter Shephard stopped 31 of 32 shots for South Carolina and earned first star honors in addition to his first professional win on December 18.

#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