TRUST: GAME PREVIEW – SWAMP RABBITS at SOLAR BEARS
BY: Matt Trust, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits kick off a four-game set tonight with the Orlando Solar Bears. Orlando is the ECHL Affiliate for the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning and the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (20-13-8-2) at Orlando Solar Bears (21-17-3-1)
April 6, 2021 | 7 PM | Game #44 | Amway Center
Referees: Logan Gruhl (29)
Linesmen: Brady Fagan (89), Kilian McNamara (90)
Broadcast Information: (Pre-game 6:45 p.m.)
WATCH LIVE: https://www.flohockey.tv/
LISTEN LIVE: https://mixlr.com/swamp-rabbits
Voice of the Swamp Rabbits, Matt Trust on the call
LAST TIME OUT:
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits dropped a 4-3 decision on Saturday night against the South Carolina Stingrays. Both Shawn Cameron and Garrett Thompson recorded a goal and an assist for the Bits. The Rabbits concluded a three-game set with their in-state rivals by claiming four out of six points. Orlando avoided a three-game sweep last Saturday night and claimed a 4-2 victory over the Florida Everblades. Deadlocked at 2-2 after 40 minutes, Chris LeBlanc and Tristin Langan scored for the Bears. Orlando fired a new season-high 47 shots on goal, including 24 in the second period.
BACK-TO-BACK:
Rookie forward Anthony Rinaldi enters tonight with goals in back-to-back games and a three-game point streak (two goals, one assist). Last Friday, Rinaldi converted for a fifth time this season at 8:05 of the middle frame to provide Greenville a 2-0 advantage. The next night, Rinaldi opened the game’s scoring only 3:04 into the contest. Earlier this season, the Montreal native recorded his first, second, and third professional goals in consecutive games on Jan. 17, Jan. 29, and Jan. 30. With the Swamp Rabbits, Rinaldi has totaled 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 23 games.
THE LAST TIME WE MET:
Tonight marks the fifth of 11 tilts this season between Greenville and Orlando. Previously, the Solar Bears salvaged two of three games against the Rabbits in a three-game set across four nights on Feb. 11-14. Greenville opened the three-game series with an 8-2 victory on Feb. 11 before dropping 5-0 and 4-1 decisions in consecutive nights. In the season series, Bears’ power forward Jake Coughler has scored four times and added an assist across four meetings. Greenville’s Matt Bradley has totaled five points (three goals, two assists) in his four games versus Orlando.
MEET DA BEARS
Orlando enters 11th tonight in the ECHL scoring, with an average of 2.90 goals per game through 42 contests. The Bears are highlighted offensively by Jake Coughler (14 goals in 28 games) and leading point producer Aaron Luchuk (40 points). Luchuk currently sits fifth in the ECHL scoring race and leads his team with five power play goals. A second-year pro, Tristan Langan, also highlights the Bears offense with 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 42 games.
TIDBITS:
Greenville’s Samuel Jardine currently sits second-best in the ECHL assist race (31). Additionally, Jardine’s 14 power play assists in an ECHL-best…Ryan Bednard remains tied for the league lead in wins (16) with Florida’s Jake Hildebrand…Max Zimmer sits ninth in the league rookie scoring race with 19 points (11 goals, eight assists) through 31 games while also leading all rookies with three game-winning goals…The Bits average 12.35 penalty minutes per game, ranked sixth lowest in the ECHL…The Rabbits continue to lead the ECHL in overtime appearances with 17…Greenville is 15-1-4-0 when scoring the game’s first goal.
#RABBITSRISING#
SINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Rise With Us and join us at 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!
Represent the Swamp Rabbits for the 2020–21 season by heading to our online store, the Hop Shop to purchase your Bits gear. 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.
