BY: Matt Trust, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits scored four unanswered goals to top the Wheeling Nailers by a 5-2 margin on Friday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Matt Bradley tallied twice to earn first-star honors, and Greenville’s power play put forth a perfect 2-for-2 performance.
Midway through the first period, Bradley opened the scoring to put Greenville in front. Patrick Bajkov fed Bradley at the left circle for a howitzer past Nailers goaltender Tommy Nappier on the man-advantage. Brady Tomlak countered for the Nailers at 13:31 to even the score before the first intermission. Shots after 20 minutes were 11-7 Rabbits.
Next period, Jesse Lees put the Nailers ahead with his 11th goal of the 2020-21 campaign. On a delayed penalty, Lees snapped a shot from the right circle at 1:19 past Greenville netminder John Lethemon. The Swamp Rabbits responded with four unanswered goals to eventually open a 5-2 cushion.
#RABBITSRISING#
For a second time, back on the power play, Ben Finkelstein registered on a center-point shot at 10:12 to knot the score at 2-2. Finkelstein’s goal extended his current point streak to nine consecutive games. Late in the middle stanza, Bradley scored the eventual game-winner on a breakaway try. After a steal at the Greenville blueline, Frank Hora sprung Bradley streaking behind the defense on a breakaway. Bradley’s team-best 17th goal of the season handed the Rabbits a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.
The Swamp Rabbits scored two goals separated by only 25 seconds in the final period to finalize the scoring line. First, Max Zimmer buried a perfect pass from Hora while going towards the low-slot at 7:32. Seconds later, Gordi Myer struck pay-dirt after waiting out Nappier from the doorstep.
Final shots on goal totaled 26-24 Swamp Rabbits. Greenville finished the night 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits return to action Saturday, May 22, against the Wheeling Nailers. The first 500 kids in attendance 14 and under will receive a complimentary Swamp Rabbits youth jersey presented by Pelzer Motor Company. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Ticket information is available online at swamprabbits.com.
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 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.
