GREENVILLE, SC – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (15-10-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, toppled the Norfolk Admirals (5-18-4-0) Wednesday night 5-4 scoring four consecutive goals for the victory. Spiro Goulakos netted two goals in the win and earned the number one star. Greenville has 
won the last five games at home on the Sandlapper Securities Rink. The Swamp Rabbits are three points out of second place in the South Division behind the Orlando Solar Bears.
After controlling the rapid start of the game, Norfolk earned a pair of goals to put Greenville in an early 2-0 hole. Jaedon Descheneau put the Admirals up, scoring both tallies before the 10-minute mark of the opening period. The first, in transition, was the first short of the night for Norfolk 3:33 into the game. The second was deflected off Josh Brittain’s shot from the blue line six minutes later.
Greenville’s response was quick. Goulakos netted his ECHL leading ninth goal from the point less than a minute later. The slap shot rang off the post and into the net so quickly it caught the referee off guard and would need to be reviewed. The confirmation of the goal meant the first point of Michael Turner’s rookie campaign, earning an assist.
Despite Dmitrii Sergeev extending the lead in the second period, Greenville didn’t waiver from their pressure. The Swamp Rabbits first and only power play was enough to get the ball rolling exactly halfway through the contest. It was Goulakos again, scoring his 10th goal this season and extending his lead over all ECHL blue liners. The defenseman walked away from the Admirals penalty killer before letting a slap shot fly past Steven Summerhays in net. Goulakos’ 20 points (10G, 10A) are fifth among ECHL defensemen this season.
Rookie forward Tommy Thompson exchanged with Brandon Alderson before scoring the tying goal a minute later. Thompson’s sixth goal of the season was just under the cross bar, helping extend Alderson’s point streak to six games. Alderson took things into his own hands at 14:06, scoring his seventh of the season. The winger let a quick wrist shot fly from the right circle to take the 4-3 advantage into the second intermission. The fourth-year pro has eight points (4G, 4A) over his six-game streak.
Trevor Gerling gave the Swamp Rabbits some insurance in the third period and it eventually held up as the game-winning tally. The winger took Paul Zanette’s faceoff win and rifled it off the glove of Summerhays. The shot had enough power that it bounced into the net. Gerling has four points (2G, 2A) in the last three games.
Goaltender Jeff Malcolm earned the win with 35 saves in net. He made a game-high 15 stops during the third period to help Greenville to the win. The fourth-year netminder is 5-6-2-0 this season and won his 40th career ECHL game with Greenville. Summerhays ends the night with 27 saves and his first loss of the season.
The Swamp Rabbits will head to Duluth, GA to face the Atlanta Gladiators for the third time this season. The puck drops at the Infinite Energy Center at 7:35 p.m. on Friday night. Greenville has won both games against the Glads this year.
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