WHEELING, WV – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits (7-5-2-0), proud ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, swept the weekend with three straight wins on the road, topping the Wheeling Nailers 5-3 on Sunday. Matt Johnson scored his first two professional goals to extend his point streak and Bretton Cameron also recorded a pair of tallies in the win.
Johnson’s first and second professional goals came during the third period to help the Swamp Rabbits extend their lead. The rookie forward redirected a shot from Joe Houk five minutes into the final period to extend the Swamp Rabbits lead to 4-2. After a Nailers tally with three minutes left, Johnson potted an empty net to retake the two goal lead. The Detroit, MI native’s first career goal proved to be the eventual game-winner.
The Swamp Rabbits captain Cameron also turned in a two-goal performance. Each tally came in the second period. The seventh-year pro was fed in front of the net by Angelo Miceli for his fourth of the season to make it 2-1. Wheeling would tie the game 26 seconds later, but Cameron regained the lead later in the frame. Cameron took a turnover caused by Adam Chapie to the front of the net before tucking it past goaltender Doug Carr.
PJ Musico helped the Swamp Rabbits in net with 35 saves during his season debut. He faced a game high 15 shots from Wheeling in the third period. Carr suffered the loss making 20 saves.
Greenville’s power play got an early jump-start in route to a 1-for-3 performance. During the first period, the unit moved the puck all over the offensive zone before Ahti Oksanen unloaded on a one timer to open the scoring seven minutes into the night. The Finnish rookie tied Cameron, Paul Zanette and Brandon Alderson for the team lead with five goals this season. The Swamp Rabbits also held the Nailers power play off the board for the second consecutive night, going 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.
Greenville will wrap up its seven game road trip on Wednesday night in Duluth, GA. The Swamp Rabbits and Atlanta Gladiators take the ice at 7:05 p.m. from the Infinite Energy Arena. Through six games of their season long road trip, Greenville is 4-2-0-0.
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