TOSTI: Early Monarchs Lead Sets Swamp Rabbits Back
Hot start by Manchester proves too much for Swamp Rabbits come-from-behind effort
BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Manchester, NH – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (1-3-1-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, dropped the first of two games against the Manchester Monarchs (3-2-0-1) tonight by the final score of 5-2. Manchester’s hot start fueled the victory as Greenville was on the wrong end of a high shooting contest. The Swamp Rabbits and Monarchs will reconvene on Saturday night at 6 p.m.
For the first time this season, Greenville would fail to score the first goal of the game. After a 5-on-3 penalty kill and a fiery Manchester offensive attack, the scoreless tie would be broken by Jordan Smotherman. The Monarchs captain collected the first goal from just atop the crease at 11:52 of the opening period. From a similar location, Smotherman would strike again at 14:09. For the second time, Eric Schurhamer and Matt Leitner would connect with the 12th year pro to take a 2-0 advantage.
Greenville would surrender 21 shots on net in the opening period to the Monarchs but began the third period with a quick power play. The Monarchs penalty kill came out with speed and was able to free the puck up for a shorthanded goal. Tony Turgeon potted the 3-0 tally only 33 seconds into the second period.
The Swamp Rabbits flipped their game around after the second period tally by Manchester. Caleb Herbert fired a twisted wrist shot onto the net during an odd-man rush up the ice. The center collected his second goal of the season as the shot tucked just inside the net to give Greenville some momentum.
Defenseman Sergey Zborovskiy would add to Greenville’s offensive pressure with his second career goal. The blueliner walked across the blue line and let a long snap shot fly to beat goaltender Charles Williams for the second time of the game. The goal came less than four minutes later as the Swamp Rabbits could see the Manchester lead diminishing.
The Monarchs came back in the third period and put on a defensive front that would shut down Greenville’s powerful offense. Even though Greenville earned three power plays in the period, it could not generate enough firepower to beat Manchester’s defense. Greenville’s only penalty kill of the period turned into a second 5-on-3, and Joel Lowry took advantage of the chance. He netted his fourth goal of the season with less than 10 minutes to play in the game, extending the lead to 4-2.
In the final five minutes, with Brandon Halverson on the bench, Greenville put chances to the net. The team came up empty and Lowry earned his second of the game on the empty net.
Halverson saw a career high 47 shots on net and made a career high 43 saves in the game. The Swamp Rabbits second year netminder has made over 35 saves in each game this season. At the other end of the ice, Williams made 32 saves and earned his third win this season.
Manchester ended the night 1-for-8 on the power play, while Greenville’s man advantage was held at bay for the first time this season. The Swamp Rabbits would finish the game 0-for-5.
BRICK-BY-BRICK NIGHT | Friday, November 3 | 7 p.m.
The Swamp Rabbits celebrate one of the fastest growing cities in the country! Get your hands on a special Brick-by-Brick Night Jersey during a live post-game auction. Bon Secours Family Fun Packs are available with tickets, food, drinks, and Swamp Rabbits souvenirs for just $60.
OUTDOORS / SCOUT NIGHT | Saturday, November 4 | 7 p.m.
The annual Scout Night returns to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena to recognize the area’s Boy and Girl Scouts. Contact Stacey Wise at swise@swamprabbits.com or (864) 250-4864 to register your pack or troop for the game. To purchase special scout tickets, follow your respected link: Boy Scouts | Girl Scouts.
CLEAR BAG POLICY: The Bon Secours Wellness Arena will be implementing a clear bag policy for all events. Each ticketed guest will be permitted to carry one large clear bag, either a Ziploc style bag or a 12”x6”x12” clear bag, plus a small clutch purse (4.5”x6.5”). For more information on the policy, click here.
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