GREENVILLE, S.C. – Jake Smith's third period power-play goal lifted the Greenville Swamp Rabbits to a 3-2 win over the Norfolk Admirals on Opening Night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
GAME SHEET: Click here
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Final |
GVL | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 |
NOR | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 |
Greenville wasted little time welcoming the fans back to the arena, as Josh McKechney netted the first goal of the 2023-24 campaign just 6:19 into the opening period. The Rabbits continued the hot start, as Brett Kemp netted his first of the season at 10:01 for the 2-0 lead. The celebration was short-lived, as Blake Murray scored a power-play goal for Norfolk at 10:25, just six seconds into the man-advantage.
After the intermission, Admirals added a second goal, a Domenick Fensore snipe at 2:04, to level the game at 2-2 and swing momentum Norfolk's way for a majority of the period. After trailing 16-14 in shots after the first, the Admirals outshot the Rabbits 8-5 in the second.
In the third, the Swamp Rabbits ramped up the pressure, shooting nine times and capitalizing on a 5-on-3 power-play, as Jake Smith scored his first as a Rabbit, a one-timer from the circle, for the 3-2 advantage. Greenville's goaltender made a number of late period saves to prevent the Admirals from finding the tying goal, en route to his first victory of the season
Three Stars –
1. Brett Kemp (GVL)
2. Jake Smith (GVL)
3. Ryan Bednard (GVL)
W: Bednard
L: Perets
The Swamp Rabbits improve to 1-0-0-0 on the fresh-faced season, while the Admirals fall to 0-1-0-1.
Greenville remains on home ice on Friday, October 27 as it welcomes the the Savannah Ghost Pirates to Bon Secours Wellness Arena at 7:05 p.m. for First Responders Night.
Swamp Rabbits Single-Game tickets, Full Season, and Half Season Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now at SwampRabbits.com or by calling (864) 674-7825.
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