BY: Matt Trust, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Greenville, SC – Matt Bradley scored late in the third period to force overtime to extend Greenville’s point streak to eight games. Unlike last night, South Carolina came away with a 4-3 shootout decision at the North Charleston Coliseum. The Swamp Rabbits are now 4-0-0-2 through six games against the Rays this season.
The Saturday night rematch started with a defensive battle until South Carolina gained a man advantage opportunity in the opening period. On the Rays first power play chance of the night, Darien Craighead tapped in a feed to the net-front at 16:35. Shots at the end of the period were 13-6 in favor of South Carolina, with the Stingrays leading 1-0.
SECOND PERIOD
Next period, Greenville capitalized on a carry-over power play to begin the middle stanza. Liam Pecararo fired a wrist shot from the slot to beat Rays’ goalie Alex Dubeau only 25 seconds into the period. On Greenville’s next power play chance, Matt Wedman snapped a shot from the right circle past Dubeau’s glove side at the 8:32 mark to provide Greenville a 2-1 lead. The Swamp Rabbits now have four power play goals combined in their last two games.
South Carolina answered with a power play goal of their own to draw even at 2-2. Cameron Askew scored his second goal of the season at 18:01 on the man-advantage. After 40 minutes, shots on goal were 24-17 South Carolina.
In the final period, South Carolina tallied the go-ahead marker courtesy of Jordan Klimek’s first goal of the season. At 13:32, Klimek scored from the left circle to beat Bits goaltender John Lethemon.
For Greenville to keep their point streak alive, late-game heroics were required once more. Matt Bradley was last night’s overtime hero, and he delivered again to tie the game at 3-3 with 2:01 left in regulation. Greenville newcomer Anthony Rinaldi set up Bradley’s goal on a 2-on-1 rush to record his first point as a Swamp Rabbit.
OVERTIME
Unlike last night, overtime did not decide a winner. The game progressed to Greenville’s second shootout of the season and the first since December 26. In the top of the second round, South Carolina’s Mason Morelli beat Lethemon to give the Stingrays a 1-0 lead in the skills competition. Greenville needed an equalizer in the third round to extend the shootout. Dubeau stopped Greg Meireles on the night’s final shot to give South Carolina the 4-3 victory.
The Swamp Rabbits claimed three out of four points against South Carolina in a back-to-back road set. Greenville’s record shifts to 4-3-3-2 on the season.
Greenville returns to action to conclude three games in as many days tomorrow afternoon at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Swamp Rabbits will host the Jacksonville Icemen on home ice for the first time this season. Puck drop is at 3:05 p.m. Ticket information is available online at swamprabbits.com.
#RABBITSRISING#
SINGLE GAME TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!
Rise With Us and join us at Bon Secours Wellness Arena for the return of professional hockey in the United States! Single Game Tickets are available to purchase today here.
