NORFOLK, VA – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (30-20-4-1), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, powered a 5-3 victory on Saturday on transition goals to best the Norfolk Admirals (20-30-4-0). Greenville’s attack earned them a weekend split with Norfolk and pushed them into sole ownership of second place in the South Division with 65 points.
The Swamp Rabbits shot first in the rematch with the Admirals, drawing first blood less than seven minutes into the contest. Greenville came down the ice on a 3-on-2, netting the goal on some quick passing. Angelo Miceli fed Spiro Goulakos on the left side of the net before the defenseman dropped the puck back for Allan McPherson. The net was wide open for McPherson to slam home his second goal of the season.
The period became more exciting when goaltender P.J. Musico came across the net to make a highlight reel save on Alex Pompeo. Musico would make the save along with 27 others in the game to earn his third win of the season.
In the second period, T.J. Foster would tie the game a minute in on a backdoor pass. Greenville battled back and re-took the lead eight minutes later. Ahti Oksanen fed a pass down the ice for Michael Joly on a breakaway. The shot quick hands of Joly beat goaltender Brandon Anderson for his 17th of the season.
Greenville earned a two-goal advantage on another breakaway. Brandon Alderson stole the puck from Ben Murphy at center ice and roofed a shot over Anderson. The goal was his 16th tally this year. Anderson would suffer the loss while making 26 saves.
At the break, the Swamp Rabbits held a 3-1 lead. A minute into the third period, Norfolk struck back again Domenic Alberga netted his eighth goal of the season to cut down the lead.
The Swamp Rabbits stopped the Admirals surge with a goal four minutes later. Miceli added a goal while coming around the net. The leading scorer grabbed his own rebound and cycled around the goal, shooting the puck from the right circle for his 15th goal this year. The tally held up as the game-winning goal.
Trevor Gerling countered Norfolk’s effort during the final three minutes with the net pulled. The rookie forward stole the puck away from the Admirals defensemen at center ice and netted his 11th goal for some insurance late in the game. Norfolk tallied one more goal in the final two minutes to give some life but the chance fell short.
Greenville ends a seven-game season series against the Admirals with a 4-3-0-0 record. Neither team earned a goal on the power play as the Swamp Rabbits completed a perfect 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.
The Swamp Rabbits head back to Reading, PA for the second time this week. On Sunday, the Royals and Swamp Rabbits drop the puck at 6 p.m. in the final contest between the clubs this season. Greenville is a perfect 6-0-0-0 when facing teams from the North Division.
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