GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (39-25-4-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, recorded a 3-1 victory Friday night against the Atlanta Gladiators and collected two points in the South Division standings. The victory, paired with a Cincinnati Cyclones defeat, earned the Swamp 
Rabbits the right to play in the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs. It is the first post-season bid since 2014 when Greenville qualified for the Eastern Conference Final.
For the second straight night, the goaltenders were a big factor. Mackenzie Skapski came through with 37 saves to earn his fifth straight victory and was one rebound away from his second shutout of the season. Skapski has earned 18 wins and was stellar in the contest, earning the number one star of the game.
Veteran forward Tristan King opened the scoring in the first period to finally break by Gladiators goaltender Matt Ginn. Rookie winger Tommy Thompson was patient in transition, stopping in the right circle before finding King in the high slot. The trailing forward fired a shot off the cross bar and into the net at 14:46, picking up his third goal in two games. The center has earned 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) for Greenville in seven games against Atlanta.
The Swamp Rabbits would add one more before the end of period buzzer. Brandon Alderson was in the right place at the right time to hammer in his team leading 25th goal of the season with less than 50 seconds remaining in the first frame. Bretton Cameron and Angelo Miceli battled below the goal line before poking the puck out to the fourth-year pro for a quick shot in front of the crease. Alderson rang the shot off the post and in the net to earn a 2-0 advantage heading into the second period.
A scoreless second period created tension for both sides. The Gladiators created more tension in the period, hitting the post with multiple shots. Greenville countered with a strong defensive effort in front of Skapski, who made a game high 15 saves.
Atlanta responded in the third period to cut the lead in half. Eric Neiley and A.J. White connected on shots that Skapski made sprawling saves on. Center Mark Naclerio rested in the high slot for a pass and a quick shot into an open net with 13 minutes left in the game.
In the final ten minutes, the Swamp Rabbits shut down the Gladiators attempt to tie the game. Troy Donnay, who tallied an assist on the first goal of the game, netted his third tally of the season at 11:31. Miceli put a beautiful pass across the ice right to the blue liners stick for a shot on the empty net. The second year defenseman finished off the “Gordie Howe Hat-Trick” on the next face off, dropping the gloves with Dalton Reum.
Neither team could generate a power play goal in the game as the penalty kills ruled the day. The Swamp Rabbits three goals on 36 shots. Ginn suffered the loss despite making 33 saves in the contest.
Greenville plays two more games against the Gladiators in their final three contests. The teams meet on Sunday afternoon at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Swamp Rabbits are second in the South Division, but could clinch home ice advantage with two more wins.
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