BY: Matt Trust, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits jumpstarted the 2021 Kelly Cup Playoffs with a 2-0 road victory against the Indy Fuel. Greenville leads the best-of-five Eastern Conference Semifinals series 1-0. Game 2 is slated for Thursday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
After a scoreless first period, Anthony Rinaldi tallied the eventual game-winning goal at 14:45 of the second stanza. Matt Bradley connected with Rinaldi at the bottom of the right circle for a quick chip shot past Indy goaltender Billy Christopoulos. Shots after 40 minutes were 20-16 Fuel, with Greenville leading 1-0.
#RABBITSRISING#
Shawn Cameron doubled his team’s advantage at 4:43 of the third period. Alec Rauhauser connected with Cameron on a stretch pass along the left wing to create a partial breakaway. Cameron buried a perfect shot to the top shelf for Greenville’s insurance marker with a burst of speed towards the net.
Ryan Bednard recorded a 37-save shutout for his first postseason clean sheet in his Kelly Cup Playoffs debut. The Swamp Rabbits went a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill, including a successful 5-on-3 kill for over a minute in the second period. Final shots totaled 37-22 Fuel.
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead on Thursday, June 10, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Terrace presented by Pepsi opens at 5 p.m. for all fans. The concourse will feature $3 Natural Lights while supplies last and $5 Stomper’s Lager all game. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Tickets are available online at swamprabbits.com.
PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Rise With Us and join us at Bon Secours Wellness Arena for the return of playoff hockey! Tickets are available to purchase today here.
GEAR UP!
Represent the Swamp Rabbits for the 2021 Kelly Cup Playoffs by heading to our online store; the Hop Shopto 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.
