GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits won their first ever meeting against the Allen Americans by a 4-1 margin on Thursday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Bits improved to 3-0-0-0 on Thursday’s, and Ryan Bednard stopped 42 of 43 shots in net.
In the first period, Greenville grabbed an early advantage at 5:14 of the opening frame. Matt Bradley jammed home the rebound of a Patrick Bajkov drive to the net to put the Swamp Rabbits up 1-0. Shots after the opening period were 13-5 in favor of the Americans.
In the middle frame, Allen equalized the contest at 6:09 courtesy of Corey Mackin’s 11th goal of the campaign. Samuel Laberge won a puck battle along the end wall and centered a pass into Mackin’s wheelhouse between the faceoff circles.
The Swamp Rabbits regained the upper hand on the power play from Greg Meireles at 15:37. Meireles went coast to coast and fired a shot over the glove of Americans netminder Justin Kapelmaster. Greenville finished the night 1-for-5 on the man-advantage and a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
Greenville extended the margin with a third period shorthanded tally from Joey Haddad. Haddad put away a lively rebound off the end wall into Kapelmaster’s vacant cage to give the Swamp Rabbits a 3-1 lead.
Allen pulled Kapelmaster for the 6-on-5 advantage in the final minutes, and Jake Massie converted at 19:41 to finalize the 4-1 scoring line. Samuel Jardine finished with two helpers on the night and Bednard set a new career-high with 42 saves.
The Swamp Rabbits continue their three-game set with Allen tomorrow night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
#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
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers