TOSTI: SWAMP RABBITS AND STINGRAYS OPEN THREE-GAME WEEK TONIGHT  

TOSTI: Swamp Rabbits and Stingrays Open Three-Game Week Tonight

Greenville prepares for battle against intrastate rival to begin 3-in-3 ahead of holiday weekend

BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

RABBITS TAILS
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (15-10-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, and the South Carolina Stingrays (16-5-3-1) meet at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena tonight at 7 p.m. The contest is the seventh meeting between the teams this season and the fourth in December. Greenville has earned two wins against South Carolina and tallied a point in overtime. Tonight marks the 109^th game between the rivals whose skills are nearly polar opposites. Greenville’s offense ranks first in the ECHL while South Carolina relies heavily on their top-ranked defense to earn victories. Both teams enter the game after earning divisional victories on the road.

PRETTY JAZZY
Rookie forward Evan Jasper earned a pair of firsts in his professional career on Saturday night. For the first time in his career, Jasper tallied a pair of goals, which included the game-winner over Jacksonville. The Whitby, Ontario native has recorded 19 points (7G, 12A) in 22 games this season to lead the Swamp Rabbits first-year skaters. Jasper is also on a four-game point streak, tallying seven points (3G, 4A) since Dec. 8. The Sacred Heart University alum signed with the Swamp Rabbits after four years with the Saints and has played 33 games since his pro debut on Mar. 10, 2017.

TROOCK WHO’S LAUGHING
A fourth-year pro, Branden Troock is now the top active scorer in the ECHL, earning 33 points (14G, 19A) in 26 games this season. The winger from Edmonton, Alberta has collected points in each of the last five games, notching nine tallies (4G, 5A). Troock assisted on both goals by Evan Jasper on Saturday night in Jacksonville to help secure the 4-2 victory. The 6-foot-3 forward has also scored 11 goals at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

FILLING IN THE HOLES
Greenville will need to fill the offensive voids of both Caleb Herbert and Allan McPherson tonight. Herbert earned his first promotion of the season on Sunday, joining the Hartford Wolf Pack this week, while McPherson has decided to pursue playing opportunities overseas. Both forwards were the top two offensive contributors in the ECHL with a combined 70 points (29G, 41A).

JOE KNOWS BEST
Joe Basaraba has been a consistent contributor for the Swamp Rabbits this season, netting six goals and adding 15 helpers in 26 games. The fourth-year pro has found the scoresheet in each of the last five games, earning six points (1G, 5A) since Dec. 7. The Fort Frances, Ontario native is second among the Swamp Rabbits active forwards with 15 assists and a plus-five rating. Basaraba is six games away from his 200^th ECHL contest and has collected 130 points (53G, 77A) in his career.

TRIP AROUND THE SOUTH
The Stingrays are coming off a three-game week in Estero, Florida against the Everblades. South Carolina earned two wins on the trip, improving to 9-4-0-1 away from home. Tonight’s game marks the fifth straight road game for the Stingrays. South Carolina’s stretch of seven road games out of eight scheduled contests ends with a seven-game homestand to open the New Year.

CARROT BITES

• The Stingrays are led by Joe Devin with 20 points (8G, 12A) in 25 games.
• Greenville plays five straight home games to wrap up the 2017 calendar year.
• Defenseman Joe Houk is fifth among ECHL defensemen with 21 points (7G, 14A).
• The Swamp Rabbits power play is 2-for-6 in the last two games and ranks fifth in the ECHL, scoring 26 goals on the man advantage this year (20.3%).
• South Carolina allows the second fewest goals against in the ECHL and has surrendered only 62 goals this season (2.48 goals against per game).

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