ECHL Game Recap: Reading Royals vs Greenville Swamp Rabbits | 01/25/2025

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Swamp Rabbits hosted the Reading Royals for a two-game, weekend series at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Jan. 24-25. On the 25th, Greenville hosted their NASCAR-themed night with specialty sweaters and guest appearances by star drivers after losing to the Royals 3-2 the previous night.

Dryden McKay started for Greenville, while Keith Petruzzelli made his second start of the series for Reading. Both netminders were dominant between the pipes and were influential in keeping the score low.

The Swamp Rabbits had a different-looking night compared to their previous matchup against the Royals. Casey Dornbach opened the scoring almost ten minutes into the first period.

Then, seconds later, Mason Primeau tied it at one with a rocket from the center point. However, the tied score lasted only five minutes before the Swamp Rabbits broke it.

John Parker-Jones tipped in a wrist shot from Bryce Brodzinski at the blue line, past Petruzzelli. The Royals tied the score again about ten minutes into the second period, as Colton Young drew another penalty against the Swamp Rabbits.

Sam Sedley netted a top-shelf, bar-down, power-play goal that capped off the Rabbits’ comeback. Going into the third period, both teams were tied 2-2, but neither was shy about attempting to break it.

Closing in on the final buzzer, the Rabbits aggressively attacked Reading’s end to avoid overtime. However, they could not bury one past Petruzzelli, so both clubs went to sudden-death overtime.

Neither team could decide a winner, so it went to a shootout. Jake Smith and Matt Brown capitalized on their shootout attempts, sealing the deal for the Royals as the team took this two-game series on the road.

The last time these two teams met in Greenville was back in 2016.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Brown (2A; shootout goal)
2. Primeau (1G-1A)
3. Petruzzelli (38 saves)