Izmirlian's OT Winner Lifts Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. — 4:22 into overtime, forward Chris Izmirlian broke in on a two-on-one break with teammate Johno May and did not miss. The Swamp Rabbits forward connected on his third goal in two games and connected on his fifth goal of the year on a delicious backhander to give the Greenville Swamp Rabbits a 3-2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears on Friday night at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.May broke down the right wing with Izmirlian heading to the net. His initial feed was deflected, but Izmirlian batted the puck down, deked to his backhand, and shelfed a backhander over Martin Ouellette's shoulder to secure the victory.It was a game that featured 74 total shots on goal, 12 power plays, 24 different penalties, 82 minutes' worth of penalties, and three lead changes. A three-point night by May stoked the Greenville offense, as he scored twice and added the primary game-winning assist on Izmirlian's GWG.The Swamp Rabbits opened the scoring 7:48 into the second period, as May fired home a pass from behind the net from linemate Michael Pelech on the power play to give the Swamp Rabbits the lead at 1-0. Much like Wednesday in Norfolk, the Solar Bears seemed to have a response, as Dylan Fitze scored just a minute and two seconds later.The Solar Bears earned a power play opportunity, and, while they had been quiet heading into the game, Brent Pedersen fought for body position in front of the goal and beat a sprawled Garrett Bartus back to the post to give Orlando the lead at 2-1.It took just a minute and three seconds this time for the Swamp Rabbits to respond. May, on an unreal three-way passing play, converted on an around-the-world pass from Pelech to tie the game at two.The game had rough stuff, fight after fight, including simultaneous fights in the second period, with each altercation seemingly swinging the momentum.Bartus picked up his third win of the season, and was his busiest, making 42 saves on the night. He outlasted an Orlando assault of 13 shots in the third period, and being outshot 28-12 down the stretch of the final two periods of play. He was also part in parcel in killing off six of seven Orlando power play opportunities on the night.The win was the Swamp Rabbits' first when scoring the opening tally.The Swamp Rabbits are back in action Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in a rematch against the Orlando Solar Bears. Tickets are available at SwampRabbits.com.

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