DULUTH, GA – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (8-5-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, extended their win streak to four games by defeating the Atlanta Gladiators (10-10-2-1) 4-1 at the Infinite Ice Center Wednesday night. Goaltender Jeff Malcolm helped the Swamp Rabbits to the victory with over 56 minutes of shutout hockey and 40 saves in net.
The scoreless first period featured eight saves by Malcolm and each team earning a penalty kill. The second period saw a game high 17 saves from Malcolm including a pair of penalty kills where the fourth-year pro made a flurry of saves. Greenville would finish the night perfect on four penalty kills.
Both sides were looking for a boost in the second period. Troy Donnay and Shane Bakker squared off for a fight nearly four minutes into the period. It proved to be just the boost the Swamp Rabbits needed.
Michael Joly scored his fifth goal in as many games for the Swamp Rabbits to swing the momentum five minutes into the second period. Defenseman Matt Prapavessis put a shot to the pads of McIntyre from the blue line. Joly was there to battle for a rebound and toe drag it around the Bruins drafted netminder for the first goal of the game. The rookie from Gatineau, QC also earned an assist in the game giving him seven points in five games. Tyler Brown continued his production, taking an assist on the goal and extending his point streak to three games.
Matt Johnson was seeking a point in his fourth straight game. He was denied late in the first period on a break, but would get his chance in the third period. Speeding down the left wing, the rookie raced to the front of the net and tucked his shot under the pads of Zane McIntyre. Johnson has scored three goals in the last two games for the Swamp Rabbits and earned his second game-winner in as many nights.
Adding insurance was Adam Chapie with a pair of goals in the third period. The rookie matched Johnson less than a minute later to extend the Swamp Rabbits lead to 3-1. After a late goal by the Gladiators, Chapie tacked on an empty net goal to seal the victory.
Malcolm earned his third straight win including 15 in the third period. For the seventh straight game, the Swamp Rabbits have scored three or more goals and finish their seven game road trip 5-2-0-0. McIntyre suffered the loss with 18 saves on 21 shots.
The Swamp Rabbits return home for a three-in-three with the South Carolina Stingrays from Friday to Sunday. Greenville will play a second straight four-in-five week looking to extend their streak. The Swamp Rabbits took the first meeting in a 4-3 overtime win.
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