Jacksonville puts up another defensive gem in Greenville
BY: Jordan Kuhns, Greenville Swamp Rabbits
GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits cut the Jacksonville Icemen’s lead in half in the third period, but could not complete the comeback. The Icemen once again held onto a lead established early in the game and defeated the Swamp Rabbits 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Erik Robichaud‘s first professional goal proved to fall just short of the mark, as the Swamp Rabbits’ final foray in the closing minute was stopped flat. Greenville could not get clean possession of the puck in the final minute, and could not get goaltender Garrett Bartus to the bench for the extra attacker, and failed to get the equalizer.
Robichaud took a feed in the center from Jake Bolton and streaked into the offensive zone past a defender, and snapped the shot past Jacksonville goaltender Ken Appleby for Greenville’s only goal at the 6:03 mark of the third period. Other than that, the cool and calm Appleby stopped 25 other opportunities fired his way.
Jacksonville, like the prior two games in the three games played against the Icemen, jumped out to early leads and held the Swamp Rabbits off the board in the opening two periods.
One bugaboo that has haunted the Swamp Rabbits all season long has been defensive play while on the power play. The Icemen exacerbated that deficiency by striking shorthanded. Dajon Mingo broke up the play at the defensive blue line, started a rush, and fed the puck to a trailing Garet Hunt. His initial shot was stopped by Bartus, but Kris Newbury cleaned up the crumbs to open the scoring.
Jacksonville struck again in the second period, with the roles reversed. Newbury hid behind the net after a zone keep. His no-look centering pass connected with Hunt, the game’s first star, streaking off the bench. His shot eluded Bartus’ glove hand and doubled Jacksonville’s established lead.
Greenville’s penalty kill continued to be a source of strength, as they have not allowed a power play goal since February 23. Jacksonville’s three chances were held off the board.
The Icemen’s ability to hem the Swamp Rabbits in their own zone caused fits all day. Jacksonville was able to post double-digit shots on goal in all three periods and outshot the Swamp Rabbits 34-26 for the game. Bartus made 32 saves in the game in the losing cause.
With nine games left in the regular season, Greenville will now set their sights on the last non-South Division opponent of the season, the Kansas City Mavericks, on Thursday, March 21 at home. For tickets, go to SwampRabbits.com.
###
Get Social: Follow the Swamp Rabbits and get behind-the-scenes coverage like never before on the team’s official Facebook and Twitter pages!
Contact a Swamp Rabbits Account Executive at 864.674.PUCK (7825) for information on 2018–19 ticket plans, special group rates, and hospitality opportunities and secure your seats today! Get the latest Swamp Rabbits gear by visiting the “Hop Shop” online at Shop.SwampRabbits.com to browse the full collection of fan wear and novelties!
Related
Related posts
Top picks
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
WOLF PACK TAKE ON CHARLOTTE CHECKERS IN FIRST ROUND
All Three Games to Take Place in North Carolina By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT—The Hartford Wolf Pack and Charlotte Checkers will face off in an Atlantic Division first-round series to kick off the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Due to the distance traveled,…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
WOLF PACK INK D HARRISON REES TO PTO
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT – New York Rangers Assistant General Manager and Hartford Wolf Pack General Manager Ryan Martin announced today that the club has signed defenseman Harrison Rees to a professional tryout agreement (PTO). Rees, 24, appeared in 36 games…
WOLF PACK TAKE ON CHARLOTTE CHECKERS IN FIRST ROUND
All Three Games to Take Place in North Carolina By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack HARTFORD, CT—The Hartford Wolf Pack and Charlotte Checkers will face off in an Atlantic Division first-round series to kick off the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs. Due to the distance traveled,…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los…
SWAMP RABBITS ANNOUNCE 2024 KELLY CUP PLAYOFF ROSTER
23 players begin the quest to hoist Patrick Kelly’s Cup in the Upstate By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, the proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoff Roster with the ECHL. Earlier…
SWAMP RABBITS AND LA KINGS EXTEND AFFILIATION
Los Angeles’ pipeline will continue to start in the Upstate through 2026 By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, 2024 South Division Champions, announced today that the organization is proud to continue its affiliation with the NHL’s Los Angeles…
Stay connected with ours socials