Swamp Rabbits hit All-Star break with tough mission ahead
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, SC – This week’s recap starts with the bump in the road continuing for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, who hosted the Atlanta Gladiators at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena for a pair of games. Unfortunately, the Swamp Rabbits ran into the Glads at the highest point of their season. Goaltender Sean Bonar stole the show throughout the weekend by stopping 52 of 53 shots fired towards the Atlanta net and keeping Greenville’s struggling offense at bay.
The Glads utilized a strong defensive effort throughout Friday night’s game and struck twice in the second period to pull ahead and stay ahead. Bonar was a perfect 30-for-30 to pick up the win for the Gladiators, and it was his second shutout of the season.
Greenville broke the ice in the second period of Saturday’s game thanks to Brendan Harms and cut the Atlanta lead in half. But it was the Glads who held on to the Swamp Rabbits’ final push, 13 shots on goal and picked up the weekend sweep.
1/18 vs. Atlanta Gladiators – L 3-0
1/19 vs. Atlanta Gladiators – L 2-1
FAMILY DENTAL HEALTH PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Garrett Bartus – 1 GP | 0-1-0 2.04 GAA .943 sv%
While he did not get the win on Saturday night, Garrett Bartus did just about everything for the Swamp Rabbits to be in that position. He stopped 33 of 35 shots fired his way in about 59 minutes of action, including several big saves to keep it close throughout.
RABBIT TAILS
- Johno May is set to take part in the 2019 ECHL All-Star Classic tonight (televised on the NHL Network at 7:00 p.m.) from the Huntington Center in Toledo. The All-Star Classic features a 3-on-3 tournament and a skills competition between rounds. May will compete in the hardest shot contest.
- The Swamp Rabbits are aided by a home-heavy portion of the schedule. Five of the next six games will be at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, with the one exception being just 90 minutes down the road in Duluth, Georgia.
- The new year has been kind to forward Brendan Harms. Since the turn of the calendar, Harms has scored five goals and two assists, giving him 16 points in 22 games since his acquisition from Utah. His next game on Friday will be the 100th of his ECHL career.
UPCOMING GAMES
- Friday, January 25 | vs. Norfolk Admirals | 7:00 p.m. | Manufacturing Night
- Sunday, January 27 | vs. South Carolina Stingrays | 3:00 p.m. | Stomper’s Birthday
SOUTH DIVISION STANDINGS
- Florida Everblades (28-8-5) – 61 pts
- Jacksonville Icemen (23-16-1) – 47 pts
- South Carolina Stingrays (22-17-2) – 46 pts
- Orlando Solar Bears (20-17-3) – 43 pts
- Norfolk Admirals (16-21-5) – 37 pts
- Greenville Swamp Rabbits (14-24-5) – 33 pts
- Atlanta Gladiators (12-19-6) – 30 pts
*standings as of 10:00 a.m. on January 21, 2019
