RABBITS ERASE THIRD PERIOD DEFICIT, DROP LATE 5-4 DECISION TO ALLEN

GREENVILLE, S.C. –  The Greenville Swamp Rabbits rallied back from down 3-1 in the third period, but dropped a tight 5-4 decision to the Allen Americans on Friday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.  

In the opening period, the Americans struck first as a Greenville power play expired at and Samuel Laberge was freed from the sin-bin. At 7:54, Laberge fielded a headman breakaway pass from Josh Lammon and scored low on Jacob Ingham.

The Swamp Rabbits tied the contest at 11:22 courtesy of Liam Pecararo’s third goal of the season. Pecararo split the defense and ripped a shot past Americans Goaltender Justin Kapelmaster to even the score at 1-1. Shots after the first 20 minutes were 8-7 in favor of the Americans

In the second stanza, Allen regained the lead with a Krystof Hrabik power play tally at the 11:11 mark. Hrabik one-timed a Joseph Garreffa feed between the circles to provide Allen a 2-1 lead.

With 24.1 seconds remaining in the period, the Americans doubled their margin with Laberge’s second goal of the night and fifth of the campaign.

Down 3-1 in the third period, Greenville utilized an early power play chance to cut their deficit to 3-2. From the right circle, Patrick Bajkov sniped his fifth goal of the campaign at the 1:10 mark to bring the Rabbits closer.

Only 3:10 later, the Swamp Rabbits tied the affair at 3-3 courtesy of Karch Bachman’s sixth goal of the season. Bachman raced along the right wing and fired a quick wrist shot to tie the game.

Allen regained the lead at the 12:23 mark on a transition play. After a Kyle Topping shot was blocked, the puck bounced to Scott Conway’s tape. Conway scored low to the ice his second goal of the season to provide Allen a 4-3 advantage.

Corey Mackin scored a key insurance marker for the Americans which later stood as the game-winning goal at 16:08. Mackin finished a 2-on-1 rush with Josh Lammon to push Allen’s lead to 5-3.

With the Greenville’s net empty in favor of the extra attacker and 6-on-5 advantage, Greg Meireles scored from a sharp angle at 18:40 to bring his team within 5-4. After the ensuing face-off, Ingham raced back to the bench for the extra attacker, but the Rabbits ran out of time from potting another equalizer and erasing their second two-goal deficit of the night.

Final shots on goal totaled 35-28 after Greenville out shot Allen by a 21-5 margin in the final period. Greenville finished 1-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the kill.

Both teams will rematch tomorrow night in the rubber match of a three-game set at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Ticket information is available online at swamprabbits.com.

#RABBITSRISING#

SINGLE GAME TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

Rise With Us and pack 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