GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (19-16-2-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, rode past the Cincinnati Cyclones (17-15-4-0) Sunday afternoon by a final score of 3-2. Rookie forward Tommy Thompson netted the eventual game-winning goal in the third period. Greenville will not face Cincinnati again until the Swamp Rabbits final home game of the regular season.
Trevor Gerling earned two points in the game, tallying an assist on the game’s opening goal. After 18 minutes of scoreless hockey, the Swamp Rabbits were winding down on the power play. Gerling shot the puck from the blue line and was blocked right to Desmond Bergin. The rookie made no mistake, putting the puck into the top corner for his fifth goal of the season. Greenville finished the game 1-for-3 on the power play.
The Seattle, WA native would add a goal to his opening assist in the second period. On an offensive zone faceoff, Tyler Brown won the draw back to Gerling to score his ninth goal this season. Seven of his nine goals have come at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
The Cyclones struck back for a pair of goals in the second period. Colin Mulvey stepped over the line and a quick wrist shot along the ice hit the back of the net. The fourth-year pro netted his fourth of the season to cut the score to 2-1 a minute after Gerling added insurance.
Nick Huard would tie the game at 12:48. In the right circle, the North Bay, ON native snapped a shot off the cross bar and into the net. On 29 shots, those would be the only two to find twine. Mackenzie Skapski shut the Cyclones out for the rest of the game, ending the night with his eighth win and 27 saves.
The Swamp Rabbits game winner was batted in by Thompson off a rebound. Mark Visentin made the initial save on a long Joe Houk shot, but couldn’t keep the rebound out. Starting the play was Tristan King, earning his first assist with Greenville in his second game with the organization. Visentin suffered the loss, making 19 saves on 22 shots.
Greenville would have to pitch in on the penalty kill. The unit successfully killed off a 5-on-3 during the game and was 4-4 on the evening. In the final four minutes, the Swamp Rabbits killed off a delay of game penalty to seal the victory.
Greenville will take some time off during the week as the ECHL All-Star Classic rolls into Glens Falls, NY. The Swamp Rabbits will be represented by Spiro Goulakos who returned to the lineup Sunday. The team is back in action on Friday to host the Atlanta Gladiators at 7 p.m.
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