TRUST: GAME PREVIEW: RABBITS at SOLAR BEARS
BY: Matt Trust, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – Tonight, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits continue their three-game set against the Orlando Solar Bears. The Solar Bears are the ECHL affiliate for the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and AHL’s Syracuse Crunch.
Greenville Swamp Rabbits (28-16-11-3) at Orlando Solar Bears (29-21-5-1)
May 8, 2021 | 7 PM | Game #59 | Amway Center
Referees: Alex Normandin (26)
Linesmen: Kilian McNamara (90), Jason Leisten (48)
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 scored a 3-2 overtime victory over the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday night at the Amway Center. Orlando drew first blood on Kevin Lohan’s second goal of the season at 5:43 of the first period. After receiving a pass across the blue line from Alexander Kuqali, Lohan fired a puck with eyes from the right-point past Rabbits netminder John Lethemon. Next period, the Rabbits evened the contest before eventually salvaging their first lead of the night. At 9:55, Greg Meireles tallied his 10th goal of the season on a missile from the left face-off circle past Orlando goaltender Clint Windsor. Only 5:07 later, Greenville cashed in once more. Bryce Reddick unleashed a howitzer from the top of the left face-off circle at 15:02 to put Greenville in front.
#RABBITSRISING#
Only 45 seconds into the third stanza, Orlando fought back for the equalizer. Matthew Spencer, from the point, hit twine behind Lethemon to even the score at 2-2. The Greenville Swamp Rabbits required overtime for a franchise-record 22nd time this season. Despite entering tonight with a 5-11 OT record, Greenville hit pay-dirt on their very first shot in sudden death. Matt Bradley accepted a feed from Samuel Jardine at the center-point and beat Windsor with a bullet low-glove side. Bradley’s 15th goal of the season walked off the contest for Greenville at 3:29 for his club’s sixth consecutive road win.
BRADLEY’S HEROICS:
Matt Bradley snapped home his fourth game-winning goal of the campaign last night and second in sudden-death overtime. Bradley’s first of his current 15 goals in 2020-21 came in overtime on Jan. 15, 2021, at South Carolina on Stingrays netminder Alex Dubeau. Previously, the Vancouver, British Columbia native tallied Greenville’s only goal in a 1-0 regulation victory at Jacksonville on Feb. 6, 2021. In 178 career ECHL games, Bradley has registered 40 goals with eight total game-winners.
JOHNNY DROPPIN’:
Last night, rookie netminder John Lethemon won back-to-back starts for the second time in his professional career. Previously, Lethemon made 35 saves in consecutive appearances on Mar. 27, 2021, versus Jacksonville and Mar. 31, 2021, at South Carolina. The 24-year-old currently sports a 5-3-5 record with a 3.31 goals-against average and a .885 save percentage. Lethemon’s victory last night is his first career win against Orlando in his third start.
BRYCE, BRYCE BABY:
Swamp Rabbits hybrid forward/defenseman Bryce Reddick potted his second goal in his last four games on Friday night. Reddick provided the Rabbits a 2-1 lead at 15:02 of the middle stanza after unleashing a missile from the left face-off circle. In his ninth professional season, Reddick has totaled six points (three goals, three assists) in 24 games this season. The 31-year-old played three seasons for the Cardiff Devils in the United Kingdom from 2017-2020 after career stops in France, Norway, and Denmark.
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.
