ECHL Game Recap: Greenville Swamp Rabbits vs Atlanta Gladiators | 11/27/2024

The game between the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and the Atlanta Gladiators was intense and competitive. Greenville’s physical style of play, combined with their efficiency on the power play (18.0%), were key factors to watch. Players like Carter Savoie and Parker Berge for Greenville, and Derek Topatigh and Eric Neiley for Atlanta, delivered strong performances. As both teams looked to capitalize on their strengths, the management of special teams and physical play proved to be decisive elements in the outcome of the games. This clash was a thrilling and competitive battle from start to finish!

Atlanta Transactions and Scratches

Zach Yoder, defenseman, was activated from reserve, while Chad Nychuk, also a defenseman, was recalled by Milwaukee. The Atlanta scratches for this game include PJ Fletcher (healthy scratch), Connor Galloway, Joshua Boyer, and Tyler Drevitch, who are all on injured reserve (IR).

Greenville Scratches

The Greenville scratches for this game are Jacob Modry, Jake Flynn, Quinn Close, Zach White, and Austin Saint.

First Period:

In an unexpected and early twist, Ethan Haider was uncharacteristically caught off guard when Tate Singleton’s shot slipped past him just 61 seconds into the game, with assists from Colton Young and Miles Gendron. Michael Marchesan’s wrist shot was blocked by Dryden McKay, followed closely by a near miss from Cody Sylvester at the side of the net, and another attempt by Dylan Carabia. The Gladiators made several attempts to score in front of the net, but McKay successfully defended against them.

Atlanta gained possession of the puck, and Marchesan tried to score. The goal light initially indicated there was a score by Marchesan, but McKay contested that the puck didn’t cross the goal line, leading to a review of the play. The final decision by the officials was no goal.

Brenden Datema took a high shot off the faceoff. The Gladiators got another try when Joey Cipollone’s shot nearly got past McKay, but he managed to get a hand on it. Topatigh intercepted a pass, but Carabia’s shot went over McKay’s glove. Greenville later got a breakaway, but Young’s attempt was off target.

At 8:42, Topatigh received a penalty for tripping, granting the Swamp Rabbits a power play and putting the Gladiators on the defensive. The Gladiators built momentum as Ryan Cranford tried to score, but his shot was blocked. Following the play, a collision occurred between the two players, and McKay fell to the ground but was able to resume play. Moments later, both teams returned to full strength with no change in the score.

A misplayed pass by the Gladiators sent the puck out of play and out of the offensive zone. Despite this, the Gladiators continued to build momentum, keeping the Swamp Rabbits on the defensive while solidly outshooting them at this point in the game. Since the initial shot resulted in the goal, the Swamp Rabbits managed only one registered shot on net.

The gloves were then tossed fiercely to the ice, as Carabia rushed to defend his Captain, who had just taken a heavy shot from Mikael Robidoux. Robidoux earned the double minor for fighting and a game misconduct for boarding, sending the Gladiators on the powerplay. Carabia was given the double minor for roughing. The Gladiators appeared to score, but the call was ruled a no goal. After a review, it seemed that a kick by Easton Armstrong led to what Atlanta believed was a goal. The period concluded with the Swamp Rabbits leading the Gladiators 1-0.

Second Period:

The Gladiators kicked off the period with a power play due to Robidoux’s boarding penalty. Joey Cipollone attempted a one-timer, but his stick broke just before he could take the shot. Meanwhile, Joe Leahy was cross-checked by Armstrong, and Dominiks Marcinkevics challenged Coyle, heightening the tension on the ice. Despite the altercation, no penalties were called. A 3-on-1 opportunity arose as Neiley, Patriks Marcinkevics, and Carabia rushed forward, but they failed to capitalize on the odd-man advantage. Sylvester got a chance but could not get the puck past the pad of McKay, who denied him. Denomie had his own shot, but again McKay got the stop.

Neither Dominiks Marcinkevics’ shot nor Randy Hernández’s attempt hit the mark, as the Gladiators continued their relentless pursuit of that elusive goal. We returned to full strength. Later, Sylvester almost capitalized on the rebound, but it sadly went astray and missed the net.

Haider effectively stopped the glove save after a shot attempt from the Swamp Rabbits. Nevertheless, another wave of shots from the Gladiators did not find the target as Atlanta’s energy kept rising. Datema’s setup resulted in a pad save by McKay. Armstrong passed to Cranford, but it was unsuccessful. Murray approached the net, and Hausinger narrowly missed as McKay lost his stick. Hernández got a look but found nothing, and then McKay solidly denied Dominiks Marcinkevics when he went for his own.

An overlooked opportunity arose as Atlanta tried to weave through the Swamp Rabbits’ defense, resulting in a missed pass. McKay deftly ended another high-energy play as Andrew Jarvis delivered a pass to Sylvester, but unfortunately, the shot missed the target and went wide. With less than a minute left, the Gladiators made it happen as Pierson found a lane. Neiley missed, but Pierson got it around to Denomie, who landed it past the shoulder of McKay, tying the game 1-1 at 19:25.

Third Period:

Cipollone made a quick pivot and took a shot at McKay. Shortly after, Haider successfully saved a shot directed at his net. Dominiks Marcinkevics took a heavy hit and fell, but no penalty was called on the play. Following this, the Swamp Rabbits took the lead as Parker Berge skillfully lifted the puck over Haider’s reach. Although there was no buzzer to signal the goal, it counted for Greenville, bringing the score to 2-1, with Patrick Moynihan providing the assist (2:01). Meanwhile, a shot on the subsequent play is deflected near the Atlanta bench.

Cipollone passed the puck to Sylvester, who took a shot, but McKay intervened to make the save. Hernández became entangled along the wall, while Ben Poisson delivered a check on Dominiks Marcinkevics. On the 2-on-1, a shot bounced off the post as Atlanta’s Cranford fired from the left circle, but McKay got his blocker on it.

Haider expertly deflected a shot from Greenville’s Max Coyle and then skillfully caught another attempt with his glove. Atlanta ultimately secured the go-ahead goal when Jackson Pierson fired a shot across to Topatigh, who found the front of the net and an opening to score, with assists by Pierson and Neiley (9:11). This tied the score at 2-2. Freeman attempted a shot, but Atlanta’s Zach Yoder blocked it and committed the penalty. As a result, Greenville was granted a penalty shot. Freeman aimed to sneak the puck past Haider, but Haider confidently thwarted the attempt with his blocker, cutting off the shot.

Atlanta made a strong move as Hernández nearly scored a goal. Topatigh effectively blocked a shot from the Rabbits. Meanwhile, Yoder kept a close watch on his man while the Gladiators pressured the Rabbits behind the net. Patriks Marcinkevics almost found an open lane and made a twirling move to get to the net but was denied up front by McKay. A shot by Marchesan was tipped up by Cranford, sliding it on net, but the Swamp Rabbits’ netminder forced it up and out. With fewer than five minutes remaining in the frame, after several shots by Atlanta that defied comprehension, we ended the period as the Atlanta captain, Neiley, attempted a buzzer-beater to no avail. We are sent in to Overtime.

Overtime

Pierson advanced toward the net, but Greenville capitalized on the moment, thwarting any scoring attempts. In an odd-man rush, Bryce Brodzinski’s shot was blocked by Haider. Neiley had an opportunity as he navigated around McKay’s net. Cipollone delivered an impressive shot, but McKay was ready to make the save. Jarvis was unable to convert during the breakaway. Denomie was also denied as he tried to capitalize on a chance at the net, with both teams battling for control. Patriks Marcinkevics’ attempt was blocked, followed by Murray’s shot as well. Carbia skated up and swung around the net but could not find it. Patriks had another breakaway, but McKay made an incredible stop at at the buzzer.

Shootout Results

Game Summary

In a thrilling showdown at Gas South Arena, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits edged out the Atlanta Gladiators 3-2 in a nail-biting shootout. The game kicked off with Greenville’s Tate Singleton scoring just over a minute into the first period. Atlanta’s Carson Denomie tied it up late in the second, setting the stage for a dramatic third period. Greenville’s Parker Berge reclaimed the lead early in the third, but Atlanta’s Derek Topatigh answered back to force overtime.

The tension peaked to near unbearable levels as we headed into the shootout, where Greenville’s Patrick Moynihan and Colton Young both scored, while Atlanta’s shooters were stymied by Greenville’s goalie, Dryden McKay, who made 37 saves throughout the game. With fans on the edge of their seats, this game was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a spectacular victory for the Swamp Rabbits.