GREENVILLE, SC – Despite three late goals with the goaltender pulled, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell short in their comeback efforts, as they fell 7-4 to the Jacksonville Icemen in Game 3 of the South Division Semifinal at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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Greenville began Game 3 with an early power-play opportunity that led to Tanner Eberle’s first goal of the playoffs at 4:50. At 12:35, Derek Lodermeier tied the game for Jacksonville with his first of the series. Just under four minutes later, the Icemen took their first lead of the series with a Matt Iacopelli goal at 16:08.
Jacksonville extended its lead in the second period at 1:27, as Craig Martin scored his second of the series before Cristiano DiGiacinto scored for the 4-1 lead. Then, at 18:15, Lodermeier scored his second of the game for the 5-1 Jacksonville lead.
Mid-way through the third period, Max Martin scored a one-timer on the power play to kickstart the Greenville offense and cut the score to 5-2. Greenville made the game competitive at 15:13 as Eberle paddled his second of the game into the net. At 18:21, Nikita Pavlychev scored his first of the playoffs to bring the Rabbits within a single goal. The three goals by the Swamp Rabbits were all scored with the goaltender pulled for the extra attacker. The Icemen secured the victory with two empty net goals, one from Luke Lynch at 19:13 and one from Lodermeier at 19:28 to complete his hat-trick.
Greenville’s loss sees the Swamp Rabbits trail the best-of-seven South Division Semifinal to the Icemen 2-1.
The Swamp Rabbits and the Icemen meet again at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday, April 28, for Game 4. The puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m.
Swamp Rabbits tickets can be purchased at SwampRabbits.com or the Bon Secours Wellness Arena Box Office.
About the Greenville Swamp Rabbits …
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 the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Additionally, Greenville is a member of the ECHL Premier AA Hockey League.