GAME PREVIEW (6/8/2021): SWAMP RABBITS at FUEL, 7:05 PM EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (GAME 1)

Greenville, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits begin their Kelly Cup pursuit tonight against the Indy Fuel. The Swamp Rabbits finished the 2020-21 regular season as the Eastern Conference’s 2nd seed and will battle 3rd seed Indy. It’s the first playoff matchup between the Swamp Rabbits and Fuel in franchise history. Greenville Swamp Rabbits (0-0-0-0) at Indy Fuel (0-0-0-0)June 8, 2021 | 7:05 PM | Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game #1 | Indiana Farmers Coliseum  Referees: Cameron Fleming (27), Riley Yerkovich (7)Linesmen: Christopher Williams (62), Logan Bellgraph (85) 2021 KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS INFO SERIES MATCHUP SHEET Broadcast Information: (Pre-game 6:45 p.m.)WATCH LIVE: https://www.flohockey.tv/LISTEN LIVE: https://mixlr.com/swamp-rabbitsVoice of the Swamp Rabbits, Matt Trust and Matt Caldwell on the call NEW SEASON, HIGHER STAKES:After completing a 72-game regular season, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits return to the Kelly Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017. Greenville’s playoff appearance marks their sixth in team history since the Greenville Road Warriors inaugural 2010-11 season. The Swamp Rabbits’ last playoff series victory came in 2014 after downing the Wheeling Nailers, 4-2, in a best-of-seven Eastern Conference Semifinals. All-time, the Rabbits hold a 19-24 record in 43 playoff games since 2011. For Greenville’s opposition, the Indy Fuel are returning to the Kelly Cup Playoffs for only the second time in franchise history. REVISITING THE SEASON-SERIES:The Swamp Rabbits and Fuel met only five times in the 2020-21 regular season. Indy won four out of five meetings with two requiring sudden-death overtime. In consecutive nights, Indy’s Matt Marcinew scored overtime game-winning goals on Jan. 8-9, 2021. Greenville returned to the Indiana Farmers Coliseum for a three-game set from Feb. 19-21, 2021. In the series opener, Joey Haddad tallied his fifth goal of the season late in the second period to help Greenville to a 4-3 win. The next two nights, Dan Bakala and Billy Christopoulos pitched back-to-back shutouts in consecutive 4-0 victories. Garrett Thompson led Greenville in point production during the five-game season-series with four helpers. Marcinew led Indy with nine points (four goals, five assists) in five meetings. MEET YOUR COACHES:Swamp Rabbits Head Coach Andrew Lord is entering his first Kelly Cup Playoff as a bench boss. Previously with the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), Lord led the Cardiff Devils to nine separate championships in his six seasons as coach. At Indy’s helm, Doug Christiansen previously led the EIHL’s Belfast Giants to a league title in 2012. In their playing careers, Lord appeared in 15 Kelly Cup Playoff games across two postseasons in 2009 and 2011 with the Wheeling Nailers. Christiansen skated in four Kelly Cup Playoff games in 2006 for the Reading Royals and contributed three points (two goals, one assist).   FORMER RABBITS FACE FORMER FUEL:Indy’s playoff roster features four former Swamp Rabbits in Cedric Lacroix, Matt Marcinew, Michael Pelech and Ryan Zuhlsdorf. Earlier in 2020-21, Zuhlsdorf skated in six games with the Swamp Rabbits before being acquired via trade on Mar. 10, 2021. In an eventual four player swap, Greenville gained David Broll and future considerations in exchange for Zuhlsdorf and Tim Davison. The future considerations component of the trade was fulfilled on Apr. 21, 2021 with Anthony Wyse joining Greenville from Indy. Additionally, Rabbits First Team All-ECHL blueliner Samuel Jardine skated in 50 games with the Fuel during his 2015-16 rookie season. AROUND THE KELLY CUP PLAYOFFS:Last night, the 2021 Kelly Cup Playoffs kicked off with Game 1 between the Florida Everblades and South Carolina Stingrays. Dan DeSalvo scored in sudden-death overtime for the Stingrays to provide a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-five. Both Western Conference series will start tonight with the Allen Americans hosting the Utah Grizzlies and Wichita Thunder battling the Fort Wayne Komets at 8:05 p.m. 

#RABBITSRISING# PLAYOFF TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!Rise With Us and join us Bon Secours Wellness Arena for the return of playoff hockey! Tickets are available to purchase today here. GEAR UP!Represent the Swamp Rabbits for the 2021 Kelly Cup Playoffs 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