GAME PREVIEW (1/9/2021): SWAMP RABBITS at FUEL, 7:05 PM

Greenville, SC – Tonight, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits conclude three games in four nights and a back-to-back set against the Indy Fuel. The Swamp Rabbits enter with points in five consecutive games. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (3-3-2-1) at Indy Fuel (7-1-0-0)January 9, 2021 | 7:05 PM | Game #10 | Indiana Farmers Coliseum  Referees: Nolan Bloyer (31)Linesmen: Chad Fuller (76), Christopher Williams (62) ECHL STANDINGS Broadcast Information:WATCH LIVE: https://www.flohockey.tv/LISTEN LIVE: https://mixlr.com/swamp-rabbits  LAST TIME OUT:Greenville and Indy dropped the puck on back-to-back meetings last night at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The Swamp Rabbits set a new season-high for most goals scored in a game, but ultimately dropped a 6-5 overtime decision. Greenville began their slug fest early with Greg Meireles scoring unassisted only 2:24 into the game. Indy countered to erase 1-0 and 2-1 first period deficits before Nick Poehling had the last laugh for the Rabbits with a marker at 9:21 in the opening frame. The Fuel struck for a pair early in the second period to grab a 4-3 advantage, but Liam Pecararo scored for the Upstate at 9:19 to knot the score at 4-4. Spencer Watson converted on a 5-on-3 power play goal only 28 seconds into the third period for Indy, but the Rabbits counter punched with Bachman’s second goal of the night at 14:29. In sudden-death overtime, former Swamp Rabbits forward Matt Marcinew finished a 2-on-0 breakaway to complete the scoring line. BACHMAN WITH A PAIR:Karch Bachman tallied his first professional multi-goal game last night with strikes in the opening and final period. At 6:32 of the first period, Bachman turned on his jets and raced up ice shorthanded to create a breakaway opportunity. In all alone, Bachman scored on Fuel goaltender Tom Aubrun to provide his team at 2-1 advantage. Down 5-4 late in the third period, Bachman converted once again to force overtime and help extend his team’s point streak to five games. On the power play, Bachman received the final touch of a double redirect at the net front alongside fellow forward Garrett Thompson. Bachman is the third Swamp Rabbit to score two goals in a game this season, joining Ben Finkelstein and Brendan Connolly. PECARARO HITS PAYDIRT:Liam Pecararo scored his first goal of the season at 9:19 of the second period to bring Greenville even at 4-4. With both team skating 4-on-4, Pecararo and line mate Greg Meireles won a puck battle along the end boards, and Pecararo wrapped to the net front and fired a shot into the cage. Ryan Zuhlsdorf recorded the secondary assist on the play for his first professional helper. In nine games this season, Pecararo has registered four points (one goals, three assists). The Canton, Massachusetts native led Greenville in goals during his 2019-20 rookie season with 23 markers in 39 games. MEIRELES RISING:Swamp Rabbits rookie forward Greg Meireles scored the first of an eventual combined 11 goals last night and later assisted on Pecararo’s strike. In his first seven professional appearances, Meireles has averaged a point per game (two goals, five assists), and is his team’s second highest point producer. Among all ECHL rookies, Meireles in third in the league in assists and tied for fifth in points. The 22-year-old played parts of the last five seasons with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers and finished his major junior career with 65 points (31 goals, 34 assists) in 48 games in 2019-20. POINT STREAK REACHES FIVE:In nine games this season, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits have already accomplished a feat never reached in the 2019-20 season. Greenville’s standings point last night stretched their current point streak to five games (2-0-2-1). In 2019-20, the Bits season-best point streak of four games was reached from Nov. 9, 2019-Nov. 16, 2019 (3-0-0-1) and late replicated from Jan. 15, 2020-Jan. 20, 2020 (4-0-0-0). Greenville’s last five game point streak came in the 2018-19 season from Dec. 22, 2018-Jan. 5, 2019 (3-0-0-2).   

#RABBITSRISING# SINGLE GAME TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!Rise With Us and join us Bon Secours Wellness Arena for the return of professional hockey in the United States! Single Game Tickets are available to purchase today here. GEAR UP!Represent the Swamp Rabbits for the 2020–21 season by heading to our online store, the Hop Shop to purchase your Bits gear. On sale now! ABOUT USAcquired by Spire Sports + Entertainment (SS+E) in 2020, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team have 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 proud affiliates of the NHL’s Florida Panthers and AHL’s Charlotte Checkers. Greenville is a member of the ECHL, Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League. Since the conclusion of the 2019-20 NHL Season, 678 former ECHL players have debuted in the NHL. Nine former Greenville Road Warriors/Swamp Rabbits have later made their NHL debut