Hayton shines, but offense falls just short
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
DULUTH, Ga. — For the third consecutive game, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits opened the scoring. However, also for the third consecutive game, the opposition caught fire. Three unanswered goals, including two goals to start the third period, powered the Atlanta Gladiators past the Swamp Rabbits 3-2 on Sunday afternoon at the Infinite Energy Arena.
Joseph Widmar scored on the power play, and Matt Lane added a necessary insurance goal in the closing moments of the third period to stave off Greenville’s comeback attempt. Widmar’s goal came on a carryover roughing minor penalty on Michael Pelech. Brady Fleurent posted his first career pro point on a seeing-eye seam pass to Widmar on the back door for the go-ahead goal.
With Kyle Hayton looking to go to the bench for the extra attacker, the transition was snuffed out, and the Glads began a 2-on-1 break. Lane streaked down the left wing and snapped a shot top shelf to add the insurance goal.
With 15 seconds left, the Swamp Rabbits made it interesting. A net-mouth scramble led to hacks and whacks from Tyler Bird and Adam Larkin, and eventually, to the stick of Brendan Harms, who stashed home the rebound to get within one. However, on the ensuing set play, the Greenville offense was snuffed out.
The Swamp Rabbits picked up the first goal of the game in the first period on a creative offensive play from below the goal line. Pelech spun a backhand pass to the blue line, where J.C. Brassard punched a touch pass to Danny Elser off the bench. He kicked the puck skate-to-stick and powered a backhander through Sean Bonar’s blocker and into the goal to open the scoring.
It was Elser’s first pro goal, and it came 12 days after signing a contract with the Swamp Rabbits.
Atlanta tied the game midway through regulation time. With a delayed penalty call on the way, Brett McKenzie, the thorn in the side of the Swamp Rabbits all season long, found Jake Flegel at the point, who powered a one-timer into the back of the net to even the game at one.
Hayton made 26 saves in the game, many of them top quality, as he continues to search for his first win in a Swamp Rabbits uniform. He made all 12 saves in the first period to secure the Swamp Rabbits’ lead.
It was a game that featured a fair amount of rough stuff, but only a few power plays. Greenville’s only opportunity came up short. Atlanta went 1-for-2 on the man advantage.
The Swamp Rabbits return home on Thursday, March 28 to take on the Jacksonville Icemen at 7:00 p.m. For tickets, go to SwampRabbits.com.
###
Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages!
Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864.674.PUCK (7825) for information on 2018–19 ticket plans, special group rates, and hospitality opportunities and secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at Shop.SwampRabbits.com to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties!
Related
Related posts
Top picks
WOLF PACK PREGAME: ATLANTIC SEMIS VS. BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins open their second Calder Cup Playoff series in as many years against each other tonight at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05…
WOLF PACK COMPLETE PAIR OF TRANSACTIONS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack Bryce McConnell-Barker Reassigned by Rangers, Maxim Barbashev Released from ATO HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has reassigned forward Bryce McConnell-Barker to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack from…
ROAD WARRIORS LOST TO RABBITS; SWAMP RABBTS IMPRESSIVE IN DEFEAT
SOLAR BEARS TAKE SERIES LEAD WITH OVERTIME WIN Orlando puts Greenville on the brink despite Colton Young’s 3-point night, Bobby Russell’s pair of goals By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a high-scoring affair, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the Orlando…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
WOLF PACK PREGAME: ATLANTIC SEMIS VS. BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins open their second Calder Cup Playoff series in as many years against each other tonight at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. The puck drop is set for 7:05…
WOLF PACK COMPLETE PAIR OF TRANSACTIONS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack Bryce McConnell-Barker Reassigned by Rangers, Maxim Barbashev Released from ATO HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the club has reassigned forward Bryce McConnell-Barker to the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack from…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
ORLANDO ENDS SWAMP RABBITS SEASON
Swamp Rabbits show life late, but Orlando pulls away to win the series BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC– Jaydon Dureau’s two-goal night spearheaded a 5-1 Orlando Solar Bears win over the Greenville Swamp Rabbits on Tuesday to win the South Division Semifinals…
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
Stay connected with ours socials