GREENVILLE, S.C. – Mackenzie Skapski halted 36 shots including several highlight-reel saves in the third period on Saturday, helping the Greenville Swamp Rabbits (18-13-6) to a 2-1 shootout victory against the Florida Everblades (25-11-1) at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Justin DaSilva netted Greenville’s lone tally in regulation, while Jordan Knackstedt scored the only goal in a three-round shootout. With the win, the Swamp Rabbits improved to 10-6-5 on SANDLAPPER Securities Rink.
It was the seventh time in the last nine games the Swamp Rabbits have decided a contest beyond regulation. In addition, the club has earned at least one point in 10 of its last 11 games.
A spectacular effort by Justin DaSilva in the second period gave the Swamp Rabbits a 1-0 lead at the 11:57 mark. After receiving a pass from Sean Escobedo, DaSilva skated through the neutral zone and maneuvered between four defensemen at Florida’s blue line. From there, he carried the puck below the right hash marks where he elevated a pinpoint backhand shot into the top right corner of the net over Anthony Peters’ glove. It was DaSilva’s second goal of the season, while Michael St. Croix also recorded an assist.
Florida fought back to tie the game with a power-play goal at 15:13 of the third period. With Darian Dziurzynski in the box for slashing, Brant Harris collected the puck at the blue line and wristed a line drive through traffic and past Skapski’s blocker for his 13th tally of the season.
Skapski kept the score even with several brilliant saves in the closing stages of regulation, including a right leg-pad save on a 2-on-1 rush.
Following a scoreless five-minute overtime session, Knackstedt netted the first chance of the ensuing shootout, while Skapski stopped all three shots he faced.
Greenville finished the game 0-for-5 on the power play and 1-for-2 on the penalty kill. Peters (13-8-1) stopped 28 shots, while the Everblades outshot the Swamp Rabbits 37-30.
With Greenville Swamp Rabbits release