Top line continues point streaks, Rabbits pull out a key home win

BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits utilized a dormant power play, got timely scoring, and received contributions from depth scorers to hold on for a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Gladiators on Saturday night at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The win erased a three-game losing streak and extended Atlanta’s losing streak to four games.

It took a contribution from a new guy, Jordan Sims, to get the game-winning goal for the home team. Sims also notched an assist earlier on the night on a goal by Will Merchant, his first in a Greenville uniform, to complete a solid debut in blue and orange. Sims was the last soul in front of the net to touch a wildly pinballing puck in front of the Atlanta net, and through the confusion, batted the puck into the goal for his second tally of the season.

The top line of Johno May, Austen Brassard and Michael Pelech came to play on this night, all told scoring two goals and adding three assists in the win. May continued this three-game point streak with a nifty play at the offensive blue line by Pelech. A steal there fed a wide open May in front, and he danced goaltender Sean Bonar with a flurry of fakes to give Greenville a 3-1 lead very early in the second period.

In fact, points by all three of them on Saturday night cemented three-game point streaks for all of them.

Atlanta picked up offense from an unlikely source to get the scoring started, and continued. Early in the first, on the opening power play of the game, Brett McKenzie connected on a rebound out in front of the goal after Garrett Bartus made the initial save to give the Gladiators the opening tally.

After falling down 3-1 following May’s tally, Atlanta got another one from McKenzie just after the conclusion of a 5-on-3 power play, which was Atlanta’s second power-play goal of the night. Branden Troock made the game interesting late with a goal of his own with Bonar at the bench for the extra attacker with a snapshot right off of the draw at the top of the left circle to trim the Swamp Rabbits’ lead to 4-3.

Bartus was counted on to make two saves in particular. One early, shorthanded, on John MacDonald, and another late in the action on a breakaway by Joona Koppanen, to cement the victory for Greenville, who picked up its first win since October 13 against Toledo. The win pulls the Swamp Rabbits into a tie with Atlanta in the standings.

Bartus, victorious, made 27 saves in the effort. Bonar denied 20 opportunities in the loss.

Greenville is back in action against the league’s only remaining undefeated team, in a rematch against the Jacksonville Icemen, on Sunday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m. Kids 12 and under get in free, and are more than welcome to take part in a postgame Skate with the Swamp Rabbits session. Tickets are available at SwampRabbits.com.

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