SWAMP RABBITS WIN OVER ICEMEN MEANS FIRST PLACE
By: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
JACKSONVILLE, F.L. – Two power-play goals in the first two periods helped the Greenville Swamp Rabbits outlast the Jacksonville Icemen 5-3 on Saturday night at the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena for the team’s sixth win over a nine-day spread.
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As they did in the first period in Friday’s win over the Icemen, the Swamp Rabbits scored an early power-play goal, as Nikita Pavlychev tipped Jake Smith’s one-timer into the Jacksonville net at 5:10 for his first of the season since being assigned from the Ontario Reign on Thursday. Smith’s assist, his fifth of the season, was the forward’s 100th ECHL point.
The second period had barely begun when the Swamp Rabbits added a second goal, as JD Greenway dropped the puck for Anthony Beauchamp, who scored his third of the season just 11 seconds in. Later in the period, Greenville extended its lead as Max Martin scored his second goal in as many nights, an unassisted power-play goal, at 12:42.
In the third, the Icemen broke up Jacob Ingham’s shutout bid with a power-play goal just 38 seconds in from Matheson Iacopelli. Greenville responded with a goal at 3:01, as Smith tipped his fifth of the season into the net. Jacksonville responded with a pair of goals from Brendan Harris (5:01) and Garrett Van Wyhe (10:44) to close the gap to just one goal. Greenville earned its insurance at 14:46, as Josh McKechney netted his sixth of the season.
W: Ingham
L: Houser
With the win, the Swamp Rabbits improve to 11-2-0-0, while the Icemen fall to 4-5-2-0. Greenville’s win is the team’s sixth in seven games over nine days and lifts the Swamp Rabbits to first place in the Eastern Conference.
The Swamp Rabbits remain on the road and travel to Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia, on Wednesday, November 22, for a 7 p.m. meeting with the Atlanta Gladiators.
Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825.
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 L.A. Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is an ECHL Premier’ A.A.’ Hockey League member.
