Morning Tea: Swamp Rabbits at Gladiators 11/15/2021

Greenville Swamp Rabbits (2-6-0-0) vs. Atlanta Gladiators (5-1-0-0)

November 15, 2021 | 7:00 PM | Regular Season Game #9

Referees: Nolan Bloyer (31)Linesmen: Brady Fagan (89), Antoine Bujold-Roux (72)

BROADCAST INFORMATIONPregame Coverage begins at 6:45pmLISTEN: Greenville Swamp Rabbits Broadcast NetworkWATCH: FloHockey Live StreamVoice of the Swamp Rabbits Mark Shelley on the callGLADIATORS SEASON SERIES 

Season Series Record:Overall: (0-1-0-0) Home: (0-0-0-0) Away: (0-1-0-0)

Last Meeting: November 7, 2021: Greenville 5 at Atlanta 7

Next Meeting: November 21, 2021: Greenville vs Atlanta

QUICK BITS

BACK TO SATURDAY:

The Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the Florida Everblades Saturday night in a 5-4 contest. Greenville struck early, scoring the first two goals within the first six minutes of play. Liam Pecararo scored the first on a power play 4:30 in, followed by Max Zimmer at the 5:42 mark. Atlanta would score two in the period, temporarily tying the game before a Bobby Russell goal at 18:40 in the first. The second period would see the Swamp Rabbits extend their lead, thanks to a beautiful backdoor feed from Gavin Gould to Bobby Russell. The game would slip away from Greenville in the third period. Florida scored three unanswered, courtesy of Ben Masella, Xavier Bouchard and Dylan Vander Esch. It was a scrappy game from start to finish, both teams combined for 17 penalties and only scored on five power play attempts; three for the Swamp Rabbits and two for the Everblades. 

SCOUTING ATLANTA:

The Swamp Rabbits face the Atlanta Gladiators in Duluth, Monday night. Monday marks the second matchup between the clubs, the first ending in a 7-5 Gladiators victory.  The Gladiators hold a 5-1 record, averaging 3.83 goals per game. Atlanta’s power play has struggled so far this season with just a 12% conversion rate. Goalie Tyler parks has played well thus far, stopping 92% of shots, with a 4-1 record. The leading goal scorer for Atlanta is Cody Sylvester (4), Luke Nogard leads the team in points with one goal and six assists. 

DELIGHTFUL DIEGO: 

Diego Cuglietta joined the Swamp Rabbits just six days ago on November 9th, and is already proving his worth. Cuglietta, who had zero points in five games with the Indy Fuel in 2021, has four assists in three games with Greenville. Contributing on three of the four Swamp Rabbits goals Saturday night. Cuglietta also assisted the third goal of Thursday’s win over the Icemen, dishing to Tommy Besinger, who put the nail in the coffin for a 3-1 Swamp Rabbits Victory. 

MAZ EFFICIENCY:

Swamp Rabbits Forward Max Zimmer returned to Greenville on November 10th, after a short stint with the Charlotte Checkers. Zimmer would score two goals in Saturday evening’s loss to the Florida Everblades. Zimmer’s first goal of the night came on a power play 5:42 into the first period. His second of the night came off a beautiful feed from Gavin Gould, scoring backdoor on Florida’s Parker Gahagen. Zimmer has two goals and two assists in seven games this season. 

WHAT ON TAP:

The Swamp Rabbits return home Friday night to take on in-state rival, the South Carolina Stingrays.The rivals have played three times this year, two games falling in favor of South Carolina, the third in favor of Greenville. The Stingrays hold a 5-3 record, scoring 25 goals in those eight games. South Carolina has killed 90% of penalties they have taken this season, while converting on 21% of power play opportunities. Forward Justin Floureck leads the Stingrays scoring with four goals, followed by defenseman Jordan Subban (3).