BY: Mark Skelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – Three first period goals were too much to overcome as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the visiting Atlanta Gladiators, 5-2, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday night.
A hot start from Atlanta left them on top 3-0 at the end of the first period. Sanghoon Shin scored the first goal of the game, a one-time shot on the backside as penalty time expired at 13:09 of the first period. Eric Neiley extended the Gladiators lead at the 17:35 mark, followed by Kameron Kielly’s power-play goal at 18:01.
The second period saw the Swamp Rabbits come alive, as Bradley Lalonde scored a power-play goal from the blue line at the 12:51 mark, the first of his career. D’Artagnan Joly took full advantage of the second consecutive power-play opportunity, bringing the Rabbits within one just 1:06 later.
A shorthanded goal in the third period extended the lead for Atlanta. Cody Sylvester and Neiley sped down the ice with a two-on-one, with Neiley finding the back of the net to make it 4-2 at the 9:26 mark. Sylvester added one of his own before the period came to an end, an empty net goal at 18:47.
With the loss, the Swamp Rabbits fall to 16-20-4-3 while the Gladiators improve to 27-17-3-1. The weekend series concludes tomorrow as teams head to Duluth, GA for the rubber match at 3:05 p.m. at Gas South Arena.
Swamp Rabbits Single Game Tickets are on sale now! For more information or to secure your seats today call 864-674-PUCK (7825) or email INFO@SwampRabbits.com
