The ECHL has announced that Greenville Swamp Rabbits defenseman Bobby Russell has been suspended two games and fined an undisclosed amount for his actions in Game 2 of the South Division Semifinals between the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Orlando Solar Bears. Russell delivered a hit to the head of Orlando’s Kelly Bent at the 3:06 mark of the second period, Russell was initially given a major for elbowing, but the suspension came after the league reviewed the hit and announced that he should have been given a game misconduct for an illegal check to the head. The 24-year-old defenseman will miss games 3 and 4 of the South Division Semifinals. Max Coyle will likely be inserted into the Swamp Rabbits lineup for game 3. Coyle played in 54 games this season with Greenville, putting up two goals and ten assists for 12 points, he spent three games with the Indy Fuel during the 2022-23 season after finishing up his final three years of his collegiate career at Bowling Green State University. If Coyle plays on Friday, it will be his first career Kelly Cup Playoff Game.
The British Columbia native is in his third season in the ECHL all of which have been with the Swamp Rabbits. In 142 regular season games, Russell has 12 goals and 36 assists for 48 points; he’s also played in eight Kelly Cup Playoff games, putting up a goal and three assists for four points. Russell also saw 10 games at the AHL level with the Ontario Reign and Charlotte Checkers during the 2021-22 season with his only assist coming with Ontario.
