GREENVILLE, S.C. — After a long week of not playing a game since concluding their home opener against the Orlando Solar Bears on Oct. 18, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits are slated for more home hockey, this time against the South Carolina Stingrays.
Today, Oct. 25, the two division rivals will face off tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. As of late, the Stingrays have already played a single game to start the regular season, similar to the Greenville club.
However, unlike the Swamp Rabbits, the Rays have a win on their record; the win came from their home opener against the Solar Bears, as the team ended up winning that game 4-3 in overtime (OT) with Micah Miller scoring the game-winning goal.
Current Team Statistics
As for both teams’ statistics, the Swamp Rabbits have a 100% penalty-killing (PK) rate and a 40% power-play (PP) success rate, compared to a 67% PK and a 25% PP rate for the Rays.
The Goalies For Both Teams
But, what they both have to work on is defensive depth. Mitchell Gibson, the starter of the Stingrays’ home opener, was called up to the Hershey Bears.
So expect Garin Bjorklund to start unless there is a last minute, unannounced update. The Washington Capitals contracted goaltender put up a 3.33 goals-against average (GAA) and a .882 save-percentage (SV%) during last season for the Rays.
For the Rabbits, they saw Dryden McKay tend the net during their home opener. However, he performed poorly. With the defensive depth not supporting him fully, he was left with a 4.87 GAA and an .865 SV% after game one against the Solar Bears.
Likewise, it was still his first game against a spirited and ambitious division team. If his performance repeats itself today, then the Rabbits have the likes of rookie goalie Kolby Hay—who recently completed his final season in the Western Hockey League (WHL).
Player Statistics
Offensive Core
At the moment, both teams share a creative and prolific offensive core. The two teams have both scored four goals each so far. For the offensive player standouts, Stuart Rolofs has three points right now for his Greenville club (1G, 2A), and this is his inaugural professional season.
The Stingrays have Grant Cruikshank with two points (1G/1A) as their top point-maker. Austin Magera and defenseman Jayden Lee also have two points from two assists.
Making his season debut in a red and navy uniform is former Rabbit, Justin Nachbaur. The 24-year-old forward is a big-body player who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty by dropping the mitts and getting very physical on the forecheck.
He was a big enforcer for the Rabbits, and it will be interesting to see him return to his former team’s city.
Defensive Core
Now for the defensive core, the Stingrays have veteran Jacob Graves, who has a plus-1 performance rating; he has two shots and zero penalty minutes taken. As mentioned before, Lee has two points on his record right now for two shots, as he also has no penalty minutes committed. Making a return from last season is Connor Moore.
Puck drop is at 7:05 pm at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, with the Swamp Rabbits hosting their state and division rivals, the Stingrays.
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