GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (40-25-5-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, went back to overtime tonight against the Cincinnati Cyclones (36-29-5-1) before knocking their South Division opponent out of post season contention. Greenville’s 3-2 victory is the second earned against Cincinnati in overtime as the Swamp Rabbits took home ice advantage during the first 
round of the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Greenville also reached 40 wins for only the third time in franchise history.
Allan McPherson tallied the first goal of the game 4:30 into the first period. The center was assisted by Adam Chapie and Joe Houk, but managed his goal on an individual effort. The third year pro had his first shot from the blue line blocked before collecting the loose puck again. Walking into the slot and ripping a shot into the net, McPherson tallied his ninth goal of the season.
Cincinnati would come back to tie the game later in the first. Martin Lefebvre tallied his third goal on a long shot from the blue line. The tying goal at 11:31 would usher the teams into the intermission after one last effort from Greenville. A power play at the end of the period resulted in a late shot at the buzzer by Spiro Goulakos, but did not cross the line in time.
The physicality jumped up in the second period. Many hits brought about a playoff style atmosphere in Greenville for Fan Appreciation Night. The Swamp Rabbits would not disappoint the 6,216 fans in attendance at the Well.
The victory would not come without a fight from Cincinnati who took the lead in the second period. Shane Walsh let a shot fly from the left circle while rushing up the ice. The Cyclones forward tallied his 19th goal of the season at 6:40. It was the last shot that passed Jeff Malcolm in Greenville’s net, who earned his fifth consecutive win after making 32 saves.
The Swamp Rabbits would tie the game less than five minutes later. Brandon Alderson netted his 26th goal of the season off a quick pass from Tristan King. The tally from the left circle, found the net behind Michael Houser and was one of 52 Greenville shots in the contest. The tie would hold through the second period buzzer and travel through a scoreless third period.
After the goal, defensemen Justin DaSilva and Tyler Elbrecht met at center ice for a fight. The once teammates stuck up for their current team in the hard hitting evening before heading to the dressing room until the intermission.
Greenville piled on chances in the third period to no avail, recording 18 shots on net. Overtime began for the second straight game in Greenville, turning in a different result. After Houser produced some big saves for the Cyclones, Garrett Noonan would break through. The defenseman’s first goal of the season would win the game in the home finale and was the first game-winning goal of his ECHL career. Alderson dropped the puck off to the blue liner, who slid into the high slot and ripped the shot just under the cross bar 4:00 into the extra period.
Greenville awaits their first round opponent as the Orlando Solar Bears and South Carolina Stingrays could switch places on the final day of the regular season. Currently, South Carolina owns the tie breaker and holds third place in the South Division. Greenville ends the regular season on the road in Duluth, GA tomorrow, battling the Atlanta Gladiators for the 13th time this season.
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