TRUST: GAME PREVIEW – SWAMP RABBITS at SOLAR BEARS 

BY: Matt Trust, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits take on the Orlando Solar Bears tonight in the second of four consecutive meetings. Both teams are slated to play twice more on Saturday and Sunday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena to conclude a four-game set.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits (20-13-8-3) at Orlando Solar Bears (22-17-3-1)
April 8, 2021 | 7 PM | Game #45 | Amway Center
Referees: Logan Gruhl (29)
Linesmen: Brady Fagan (89), Kilian McNamara (90)

ECHL Standings

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

On Tuesday, the Swamp Rabbits traded three-goal scoring runs with the Orlando Solar Bears before falling in a 4-3 shootout decision. Garrett Thompson, Nick Poehling, and Patrick Bajkov all scored for the Rabbits. After the Bits claimed an early 3-0 advantage, Karlis Cukste tallied at 8:56 of the second frame, followed by an Aaron Luchuk strike only 2:58 later to cut the Bears’ deficit to 3-2. In the third, Mark Auk scored a power play marker at 3:22 to even the score at 3-3 and force overtime. After a seven-minute sudden-death frame, Greenville took part in their fifth shootout of the 2020-21 campaign. Joseph Garreffa converted in Round 1 for Orlando, and Clint Windsor stopped all three Greenville shooters to conclude a 4-3 final.

STILL NEAR THE TOP

Entering tonight, Ryan Bednard’s superb record in goal stands at 16-5-6 with a 2.61 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. The second-year pro is tied for the ECHL-lead in wins with Florida’s Jake Hildebrand and Indy’s Dan Bakala. Additionally, Bednard leads all ECHL goaltenders in shutouts (3) and total minutes (1,631). Currently, only Wichita’s Evan Weninger has made more saves than Bednard.

SADEK RETURNED

On Tuesday, defenseman Jack Sadek returned to the Rabbits lineup after missing three games with an upper-body injury. The second-year pro has posted eight helpers in 19 games this season with Greenville. Previously, Sadek recorded assists in three straight games from March 13-20, including his first multi-assist game of the season on March 13 versus Jacksonville. The Lakeville, Minnesota native previously posted 32 points (six goals, 26 assists) in 61 games with Allen last season. In his rookie campaign, Sadek finished second on Allen in rookie scoring and third in the ECHL rookie scoring race among defensemen.

MILESTONES ACROSS THE WAY

Orlando forwards Jerry D’Amigo, and Nolan Valleau both reached career milestones in Tuesday’s game versus Greenville. D’Amigo appeared in his 600^th professional game in addition to Valleau skating in his 300^th professional game. D’Amigo has posted 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 29 appearances this season with the Solar Bears. Valleau has totaled 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 25 games this season. The sixth-year pro has previously played 227 games in the American Hockey League, including stints with the Syracuse Crunch in the last two seasons.

#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 provided 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.

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