ECHL: 3 Keys to the Game l Swamp Rabbits vs Icemen l Game 4

Justin Nachbaur (29) l Photo by: Jake Farmer (InsideTheRink) l Graphic by: Nate Karsner (InsideTheRink)

Date: April 28, 2023 l Time: 7:05 pm EST l Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena

The Swamp Rabbits lost to the Icemen in Game Three, 7-4, which happened to be the highest-scoring game of the series. The Icemen dominated the first two periods of the game, knocking Ryan Bednard out of the game after the netminder allowed four goals. Greenville will look to continue their play from the third period in Game Three, scoring three goals, hoping they can even the series at two games apiece. Here are tonight’s three keys to the game.

One: Physical Play

There were moments in Game Three when Greenville started to bend the line without breaking it when it came to how physical they played and what they could get away with. This was especially noticeable after Jacksonville scored their fourth goal of the night. Dallas Gerads started flying around, hitting anyone he could find. This led to Jacksonville making some dumb mistakes leading to Greenville powerplay opportunities. This is the kind of thing I will look for at the start of Game Four. Greenville will need the likes of Dallas Gerads, Tanner Eberle, Evan Wardley, and Justin Nachbaur to turn up tonight and get under the skin of the Icemen.

Two: Bednard or Richardson

Ryan Bednard or Luke Richardson is the question going into game four. Bednard had played incredibly in games one and two but gave up four goals in game three. The fourth came at the 3:02 mark in the second period. Richardson came in and stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced. (Richardson was credited with two goals against, however, he was clearly off the ice when the final goal was scored). I would like to see Bednard get another opportunity to start, with the idea that he will return to his form from the first two games. With that being said, if things go wrong early, pull the trigger just like Coach Lord did in Game Three and go to Richardson.

Three: Penalty Kill

In Game Two of the series, the Swamp Rabbit penalty kill unit was perfect, going 10 for 10. However, in Game Three, things didn’t go as well, giving up three goals out of eight chances for the Icemen. Greenville will need this unit to get back to the Game Two forms to help take some of the pressure off the goalie. Also, if both goalies are back to the form they had in the first two games, goals are going to be very hard to find. Any opportunity with a man-up is going to have a huge potential to swing the game in either direction.  


Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Nate Karsner

Nate covers the Greenville Swamp Rabbits for Inside the Rink. For articles, updates and more. Follow on Twitter/X @njkarsner.

Leave a Reply

ECHL: Jack Dugan Heads Overseas

Fort Wayne Komets captain Jack Dugan is heading overseas to Germany to join the Bietigheim Steelers of the DEL2. He spent his first five professional seasons in North America. In 70 games this season, Dugan had 23 goals and 53 assists for 76 points, while leading the Komets in all offensive categories. For the second […]

Read More

ECHL: Filip Fornaa Svensson Heads Home To Sweden

Forward Filip Fornaa Svensson is returning home to Sweden to join Vimmerby HC after spending just one year in the ECHL. In 51 games during the 2024-25 season with the Fort Wayne Komets and Norfolk Admirals, the 26-year-old put up 25 goals and 14 assists for 39 points. Fornaa Svennson was acquired by Norfolk from […]

Read More

ECHL: Rapid City Rush Announce That Scott Burt Won’t Return

The Rapid City Rush have announced that Coach and General Manager Scott Burt will not be returning for the 2025-26 season. Burt joined Rapid City for the 2021-22 ECHL season. He was able to help lead the team to a 36-25-6-5 record, earning the Rush their first playoff appearance since the 2014-15 season. Rapid City […]

Read More