BY: Mark Shelley, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
SAVANNAH, G.A. – Ryan Francis’ overtime winner lifted the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to their franchise-record eighth consecutive road victory, as they topped the Savannah Ghost Pirates 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night at Enmarket Arena.
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The fifth meeting between the Swamp Rabbits and the Ghost Pirates began with fast-paced action that saw just two stoppages before Savannah’s Vincent Marleau broke the deadlock with his 12th of the season at 8:19.
Early in the second, Savannah’s Carter Long was sent to the penalty box for hooking at 2:21, and the Swamp Rabbits capitalized just 24 seconds into their power-play, as Josh McKechney buried a one-timer into the net for his second of the season at 2:45 to tie the game.
Despite a combined 14 shots in the third period, neither team found the goal that would grant two points at the end of regulation.
In overtime, Greenville pulled goaltender Jacob Ingham while holding a delayed penalty and saw Ryan Francis net the game-winning goal, his second in as many games, into the net just 1:02 into the sudden death.
W: Ingham
L: McNiven
With the win, the Swamp Rabbits improve to an Eastern Conference-best 17-3-0-0 and extend their franchise-record road winning streak to eight consecutive games. Savannah’s loss drops the team to 7-11-3-1.
The Swamp Rabbits and the Ghost Pirates travel to Greenville to complete the home-and-home for a 3 p.m. meeting at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Sunday afternoon.
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 been providing 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 LA Kings and the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Greenville is a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League.
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