Gladiators edge Swamp Rabbits

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Forwards Ryan Rashid and Brian Hart each scored their second goals of the season on Friday, but the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (3-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, allowed three power-play goals and dropped a 3-2 decision to the Atlanta Gladiators (3-2-1) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Gladiators’ captain Derek Nesbitt scored twice and earned a game-high three points, while goaltender Matt Ginn stopped 32 shots in his season debut. With the loss, Swamp Rabbits fell to 2-1-0 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink.

The Swamp Rabbits opened the scoring early in the first period when Jack Combs scurried down the right side and slipped a lead pass to Rashid in the right circle. After collecting the puck, the third-year pro funneled a quick shot from a tough angle between Ginn’s glove and the right post for a 1-0 lead at the 3:02 mark. Combs recorded the only helper.

Atlanta responded in the final minute of the first period to even the score at 1-1 courtesy of a power-play goal from Nesbitt. With Charlie Dodero in the box for interference, Nesbitt corralled the puck in the right circle and sniped a shot through traffic in front for his team-leading fourth goal of the season. Former Swamp Rabbits’ forward Thomas Frazee and Brock Higgs registered the assists.

Nesbitt struck again in the first seven minutes of the second period with another power-play goal to give the Gladiators’ their first lead of the game. Following Combs’ minor for roughing at the 5:49 mark, Higgs and Garry Nunn set up Nesbitt with a one-timer from the right circle just as Sean Escobedo exited the penalty box after a high-sticking minor. Nesbitt’s drive beat York glove-side for the tally.

The Gladiators notched their third power-play goal at 13:58 of the second period to take a 3-1 advantage. With Dodero in the box for tripping, Nunn slipped a feed to Zach Yuen at the blue line for a blast through traffic and past York for his first goal of the season.

Greenville cut its deficit to one at 2:52 of the final frame when Hart netted his second professional goal to make it 3-2. At even strength, Michael St. Croix found Rob Kwiet on the wing who guided a pass to Hart at the doorstep for the tally.

In the game’s final minutes, the Swamp Rabbits applied relentless pressure but could not solve Ginn and the Gladiators’ defense, despite being up a man with the net empty in the last 27 seconds.

The contest included a pair of tilts that both featured Swamp Rabbits’ captain Bretton Cameron. At 5:49 of the second period, Cameron went head-to-head with Eric Neiley before he dropped the gloves with Ian Barteaux at the 17:00 mark of the third.

Greenville finished the game 0-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-7 on the penalty kill. York (0-2-0) made 41 saves on 44 shots, one less than his career high.

Atlanta outshot the Swamp Rabbits 44-34.

The Swamp Rabbits return to the Bon Secours Wellness Arena Saturday afternoon for a 3 p.m. puck drop against the Evansville IceMen.