TOSTI: SOUTH DIVISION MATCHUP PITS SWAMP RABBITS AGAINST GLADIATORS 

Tosti: South Division Matchup Pits Swamp Rabbits Against Gladiators

 Greenville travels to Duluth, Georgia for the second straight week riding the momentum from home victory.

BY: Brian Tosti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

RABBIT TALES
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (18-16-2-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, travel down I-85 tonight to face off against the Atlanta Gladiators (17-19-1-2) at 7:05 p.m. tonight. Greenville won a 4-2 decision last night against Orlando while the Gladiators dropped a 3-1 contest to the South Carolina Stingrays. Atlanta trails Greenville by two points in the South Division standings for third place. Rookie Evan Jasper has notched a team-leading eight points (3G, 5A) in four games against the Gladiators this season.
WHAT A RIVALRY
The Swamp Rabbits and Gladiators will face off six times this month and tonight opens a set of four consecutive games between the South Division rivals. The teams split the first two games this month in a home and home series on Jan. 5 and 6. Overall the Swamp Rabbits are 3-1-0-0 against Atlanta this season and will play a total of 11 games in the interstate rivalry. Greenville will end the season against Atlanta on Apr. 7, facing off in the final game of the season in Duluth, Georgia for the third consecutive year.

WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER
Defenseman Joe Houk scored last night’s game-winning goal against the Orlando Solar Bears, netting his ninth of the season at the end of a 5-on-3 power play. The blueliner is fifth on the Swamp Rabbits in scoring but ranks fourth among all ECHL defensemen with 27 points (9G, 18A) in his fourth pro season. The Richboro, Pennsylvania native has recorded three game-winning goals this season, the most by a defenseman in the ECHL. Houk also ranks first among all defensemen in Swamp Rabbits history with 85 points (28G, 57A) and is 11th among all Greenville skaters.

WELCOME ABOARD
In his first game with the Swamp Rabbits, forward Shane Walsh earned his first assist of the season. After being sidelined for 20 games due to injury, the West Roxbury, MA native tallied his first point since Apr. 7. Walsh connected with Matt Prapavessis on a goal less than four minutes into the game to extend Greenville’s lead to 2-0. The 5-foot-10 forward had last tallied a point in Greenville last season, netting a goal against the Swamp Rabbits in that game.

SPREAD THE WEALTH
Greenville’s offense spread out in last night’s victory as 10 different skaters notched a point, the sixth time the team has distributed tallies. The last time the Swamp Rabbits had at least ten players earn a point was on Nov. 19 against the Orlando Solar Bears. It was also just the second time this season that the Swamp Rabbits tallied four goals and dished out points to 10 different players, dating back to a 4-1 victory against the Manchester Monarchs on Oct. 28.

TY-ING UP WINS
Goaltender Ty Rimmer earned his 11th victory of the season last night. One of only 13 goaltenders to reach the mark this season. Rimmer stopped 32 shots to earn the victory and has made over 600 saves and ranks tenth among all goalies in shots on net. The Edmonton, Alberta native has made over 240 save since his last game against Atlanta on Dec. 8, earning a 3-3-0-1 record, .920 save percentage and 2.99 goals against average.

CARROT BITES

• Seven of Evan Jasper’s points (3G, 4A) against the Gladiators have been scored at the Infinite Energy Arena.
• Forward Lindsay Sparks leads the Gladiators against Greenville with seven points (3G, 4A) and is also Atlanta’s top point producer this season with 32 points (6G, 26A).
• Defenseman Sean Flanagan has earned a five-game assist streak on the road, notching seven helpers since Dec. 5.
• Gladiators goaltender Sean Bonar earned his first career shutout against Greenville in their last meeting. The netminder is 6-1-0-1 in his fourth pro season.
• Atlanta is without top goal scorer, Phil Lane, who was loaned to Binghamton (AHL) on Tuesday.

STICK IT TO CANCER NIGHT presented by Bon Secours | Friday, January 19 | 7:00 p.m.
Join the Swamp Rabbits and Bon Secours in the fight against cancer at the annual Stick it to Cancer Night. The Swamp Rabbits will wear specialty Stick it to Cancer jerseys that will be available in a live auction following the game. Before the game, donate $1 to take a swing at a special Smash Car, painted by the Swamp Rabbits official painter Joe Everson. Proceeds from the auction, ticket sales, chuck-a-carrot, and the smashed car will benefit the fundraising efforts to the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance. For more information, visit SwampRabbits.com.

CONNECT THE FUTURE NIGHT presented by Ten at the Top | Saturday, January 20 | 7:00 p.m.
Ten at the Top has launched a mobility and connectivity initiative to “Connect the Future” and build an economically strong region now and in years down the road. Don’t forget to arrive early to take advantage of Hoppy Hour food and drink specials available on the patio and throughout the concourse from 5-7 p.m. Take advantage of the GSP Airport Fun Zone for up to four complimentary kids tickets.

MARVEL SUPER HERO™ NIGHT / STOMPER’S BIRTHDAY / POST GAME SKATE | Sunday, January 21 | 3:00 p.m.
It’s Marvel Super Hero™ Night and Stomper’s Birthday! Join the Swamp Rabbits, who will wear special Marvel Super Hero™ Jerseys and welcome all of Stomper’s friends to the birthday celebration. Ticket specials include the Bon Secours Family Fun Pack and Stomper’s Family Zone. Skate with your favorite players after the game for free when you bring your skates to the game ($3 skate rentals available).

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