GLENS FALLS, NY – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (1-2-1-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, scored six goals for the second time this season to help seal a 6-4 victory against their North Division opponent, the Adirondack Thunder (2-1-1-0). The Swamp Rabbits dealt Adirondack it’s first regulation loss of the season as the team continues to produce in the offensive zone.
The Swamp Rabbits high-powered offense would not take long to break into the game. A quick transition through neutral ice turned into a breakaway and then an opening tally for Greenville only 55 seconds into the contest. Evan Jasper sprinted through the Adirondack defense before dancing across the top of the crease. His quick stick handle opened the legs of Thunder goaltender Nick Riopel and the Sacred Heart alum slipped the puck through. Jasper’s goal was his second in two games.
The first period was owned by Greenville with 16 shots on net, which included a second goal, scored by Joe Houk to extend the advantage. Just after a penalty kill, Jack Nevins stepped onto the ice and fed the puck up to Houk on the right wing. The defenseman stepped up into the circle and sent a wrist shot into the net with less than 10 minutes left in the opening frame.
Adirondack’s highlight of the period limited Greenville’s offense to only two goals as Riopel was able to deny Branden Troock on the Swamp Rabbits first penalty shot of the season.
After the intermission, the Thunder awoke and attacked the Swamp Rabbits net, scoring three goals in the period on 17 shots. Greenville held Adirondack at bay until the 9:21 mark of the period when James Henry squeezed a power play goal through the pads of Brandon Halverson. The Swamp Rabbits needed less than a minute to respond and retake a two goal advantage.
Dawson Leedahl had a marquee night, earning the number one star thanks to his three points (2 goals, 1 assist) in the contest. The rookie netted his first career goal immediately following a face-off in the offensive zone.
Adirondack would cut the lead to one again off an Eric Neiley unassisted goal less than a minute later and then tie the game on Chris Calnan’s first career tally. The tick-tack-toe pass outlasted the Swamp Rabbits defense and would put the game back to even for the first time since the opening minute of play.
Leedahl’s celebration would continue later in the period as he connected on a power play goal to break a 3-3 tie. Troock rifiled a pass across to the right circle and the Saskatoon, SK native hammered into the back of the net. Greenville finished the game 2-for-3 on the power play, giving the team two power play goals in each of the first four games this year.
In the third, Adam Chapie was the catalyst for some insurance. The Swamp Rabbits leading scorer, recorded a goal two minutes into the final period, giving Leedahl his final point of the game. Chapie’s breakaway shot over the glove of Riopel was the game-winner and put Greenville ahead 5-3. Bretton Cameron tacked on another goal on the power play to ice the game despite a valiant late game effort from the Thunder.
Halverson took his first win of the season, making 36 saves on the dangerous Thunder offense. For the one time Greenville netminder, Riopel, he suffered his first regulation loss of the year after allowing six goals on 33 shots.
The Swamp Rabbits return to action on Friday night to begin a two-game set in Manchester, NH. Greenville plays two games against the Manchester Monarchs, beginning a five-game season series with the North Division team.
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