SHELLEY: RABBITS CLINCH KELLY CUP PLAYOFF BERTH
BY: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – Despite falling to the Norfolk Admirals 4-2 on Saturday night at the Norfolk Scope Arena, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits clinched a berth in the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs, overturning a 9-15-6 start.
GAME SHEET: https://bit.ly/3KRFsFe
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1st | 2nd | 3rd |
Final |
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GVL |
2 | 0 | 0 |
2 |
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NOR |
0 | 0 | 4 |
4 |
In the first period, Greenville scored just before the midway point of the frame, as Ayden MacDonald scored his 20th of the season at 9:15, tucking a back-side feed into the back of the net. Then, at 16:16, Nikita Pavlychev scored his 14th of the season, backhanding the puck into the Admirals’ net for the 2-0 lead.
After a scoreless second period, the Admiral found an answer at 3:19 into the third, as Noah Corson cut the deficit in half before Marly Quince chested the puck into the net at 4:58 to tie the game at 2-2. Then, at 14:42, Ryan Valentini scored for the Admirals’ lead before Elijah Vilio scored a late power-play goal for the 4-2 final score.
With the loss, the Swamp Rabbits fall to 33-28-6-4, while the Admirals improve to fall to 28-37-3-3.
Despite the loss, the Swamp Rabbits clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the South Division after the Orlando Solar Bears fell to the Jacksonville Icemen on Saturday night. Greenville makes its second consecutive Kelly Cup Playoffs appearance under Head Coach Andrew Lord.
On Easter Sunday, the Swamp Rabbits remain in Norfolk, VA, to take on the Norfolk Admirals inside the Norfolk Scope Arena at 5:00 p.m.
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
ABOUT US
Acquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team has been providing 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. Additionally, Greenville is a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey.
