GAME PREVIEW (2/25/2021): SWAMP RABBITS vs. AMERICANS, 7:05 PM

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Tonight, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits battle the Allen Americans for the first time in franchise history. The Americans are the ECHL affiliate for the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild and American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild.

Greenville Swamp Rabbits (10-8-5-2) vs. Allen Americans (15-7-1-0)

February 25, 2021 | 7:05 PM | Game #26 | Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Referees: Kyle Lekun (32)

Linesmen: Tarrington Wyonzek (88), Shane Gustafson (87)

ECHL Standings

TICKETS

Broadcast Information: (Pre-game 6:45 p.m.)

WATCH LIVE: https://www.flohockey.tv/

LISTEN LIVE: https://mixlr.com/swamp-rabbits

Voice of the Swamp Rabbits, Matt Trust and Matt Caldwell on the call

LAST TIME OUT:

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits will look to bounce back after dropping a 4-0 road decision last Sunday at Indy. Jacob Ingham stopped 20 of 23 shots in his third professional start and blue liner Samuel Jardine skated in his 300th professional game. The Allen Americans will also look to rebound after losing 4-2 against the Kansas City Mavericks on Monday, February 15. Les Lancaster scored his sixth goal of the season for Allen in the first period, and Ben Carroll tallied his first goal of the campaign in the second period.

AMERICAN HISTORY:

Tonight marks the first ever contest between the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Allen Americans. Allen joined the ECHL as an expansion team prior to the 2014-15 season. Months later, the Americans hoisted the Kelly Cup after defeating the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 7 of the ’15 finals. Allen’s success in their inaugural season marked the first ECHL franchise to win the Kelly Cup in their first year since the 2004 Idaho Steelheads. One year later, the Allen Americans again hoisted the Kelly Cup after defeating the Wheeling Nailers 4-games-to-2. Last season before its eventual cancellation, the Americans finished tops in the Mountain Division with 40 wins through 62 games.   

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT:

Allen enters Thursday night with the second-best record in the Western Conference at 15-7-1-0 and 9-6-0-0 on the road. Forward Corey Mackin is ranked 8th in the ECHL scoring race with 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) through 23 games. Four of Mackin’s 10 goals have been scored on the man-advantage. Defenseman Matt Register is the league assist leader with 17 helpers in 21 appearances and fellow blue liner Les Lancaster leads all ECHL rearguards in goals (6). Goaltender Jake Paterson is third in the ECHL in goal-against average with a 2.10 mark through seven starts. Two of Paterson’s four wins in goal came via shutout and is tied for the league lead in clean sheets with Greenville’s Ryan Bednard. As a team, Allen is 12-1-0-0 when scoring the game’s first goal.

BITS BULLETS:

The Swamp Rabbits will look to erase a shutout streak of 128:30 entering Thursday night’s game. Greenville’s last goal was a power play marker scored by Jesse Schultz at 11:30 of the third period last Friday night…Ryan Bednard leads all ECHL goaltenders in minutes (945), stands at second in wins (9) and second in saves (422)…Greg Meireles is ranked fifth in rookie scoring with 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 22 games…Samuel Jardine is the only Swamp Rabbit to appear in all 25 games this season…Nick Poehling is tied for the ECHL lead in shooting percentage (23.1%) after scoring three times in 13 shots.

#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.

GEAR UP!

Head to our online store, the Hop Shop to purchase your brand new jerseys. On sale now!

ABOUT US

Acquired 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