SHELLEY: RABBITS RUN PAST RUSH 6-3
BY: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Justin Nachbaur’s first career hat-trick was too much for the Rapid City Rush to overcome. On Friday night, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits captured a 6-3 victory at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
GAME SHEET: https://bit.ly/3jkSoHv
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final | ||
| GVL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |
| RC | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Greenville wasted little time finding the back of the net for the second night in a row as Ayden MacDonald tipped his 15th of the season into the Rapid City net at the 2:55 mark. The Swamp Rabbits quickly added to their lead at 4:17 as Justin Nachbaur sniped his eighth of the season into the net for a power-play goal. However, the offensive onslaught wasn’t finished, as Greenville added the third tally, as Nachbaur sliced his second of the game into the net to give the Swamp Rabbits the 3-0 lead that would hold into the intermission.
Nachbaur needed just 1:46 to complete his first career hat-trick in the second period and give the Swamp Rabbits the 4-0 advantage. After Greenville took a late-period penalty, Ben Freeman stole the puck from the Rapid City power-play unit. He created a shorthanded breakaway, converting for his 10th of the season at 18:22.
Midway through the third period, Rapid City showed signs of life, as Brett Gravelle scored his 26th of the season at 9:37. Avery Peterson and Alec Butcher gave the Rush a chance with quick goals at 12:05 and 12:24, respectively, bringing a 5-3 scoreline to the contest. Greenville would ice the game at 14:40, a Bobby Russell one-timed his fifth goal of the season into the Rapid City net for the 6-3 lead that would hold to the final horn.
With the win, the Swamp Rabbits improve to 31-27-5-4, while the Rush falls to 34-23-6-5. Greenville holds sole possession of the fourth and final playoff spot with five games remaining in the regular season.
The Swamp Rabbits and the Rush rematch at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Sunday afternoon in a 3:00 p.m. contest.
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
