DULUTH, GA – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (40-26-5-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, dropped tonight’s season finale against the Atlanta Gladiators (27-37-6-2) by the final score of 6-2. The Swamp Rabbits collected points in five straight games leading up to the final game of the regular season, but came just short in Duluth, GA. Greenville ends the season with an 8-4-1-0 record 
against the Gladiators, who came up short of the post-season for the fourth consecutive season.
Greenville broke netminder Matt Ginn at the tail end of the second period. The goaltender made 32 saves and had a shutout through nearly two periods. Nick Betz was able to cut the Gladiators lead down to 2-1 on a deflection goal at 18:48. Desmond Bergin lofted a puck to the net and the 6-foot-5 rookie tapped it through the legs of Ginn.
Atlanta countered quickly and with force. Thomas Frazee capitalized on a turnover in the defensive zone only 26 seconds later to retake the two goal advantage and on the ensuing faceoff, they added to the lead. After netminder Mackenzie Skapski made a big save, A.J. White would collect the rebound and give the Gladiators a 4-1 lead headed into the third period.
Mark Naclerio and Shane Baker each tallied goals in the first and second periods to begin the scoring for Atlanta The Gladiators peppered the net with 50 shots tonight, which reached a total of 35 by the end of the second period. Skapski recorded 44 saves in the game but took his first regulation loss since February 19th.
Greenville netted another goal at the start of the third period to tip the needle back in their direction. Tristan King fired his first shot to the net and swatted the rebound through Ginn’s legs for his 15th goal of the year. Angelo Miceli earned an assist on the goal coming one point shy of Justin Bowers franchise record.
Atlanta finished the game with a pair of goals including Patrick McCadden’s first career tally at 12:15 of the third period. The power play tally gave the Gladiators a 1-for-2 effort in the power play. Atlanta’s season ends on a high note, as they finish sixth place in the South Division. Greenville moves on into the playoffs with a 4-1-1-0 stretch to end the year.
Greenville will host the South Carolina Stingrays in the first round of the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs. Greenville will host their in-state rivals for games one and two next weekend. Scheduling will be announced on ECHL.com and SwampRabbits.com on Sunday.
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