Greenville, SC – The Swamp Rabbits returned to the ice on Sunday afternoon as they took on the Atlanta Gladiators in the only preseason game the Swamp Rabbits will play. The team and fans will get familiar with the Gladiators throughout the year as these two teams will play each other 13 times during the regular season, with the first in-season meeting taking place on November 1st. The Swamp Rabbits were able to retain several game-changing players from last year. While also adding complimentary pieces to fill the void of players who left during the off-season. On the other hand, the Gladiators ended up losing three of their top five-point producers from the forward position. The Gladiators were able to retain Cody Sylvester, the overall top point producer from last year. Sylvester posted 86 points (38 goals and 48 assists). After a slow start to the game, the Swamp Rabbits would go on to win 6-3. Putting on a dominating performance in the final two periods.
Who Will Start in Goal?
Going into the game, the Swamp Rabbits had three goalies on the roster. Jacob Ingham, Ryan Bednard, and Luke Richardson. Ingham started the game and managed to play well during five-on-five play as he fended off multiple chances and looked to have had a great first period until the Swamp Rabbits went on the powerplay late in the first. Forty seconds into the Swamp Rabbits PP, the Gladiators had two breakaway opportunities and capitalized on both. Both goals were short-handed. Ingham skated back out to start the second period after a rough ending to the first period. Ingham shook off the poor ending to the first and continued strong play when playing against equal strength or even down a man. Ingham finished his day by stopping 20 of the 22 shots he faced. Luke Richardson would play the third period after giving up an early goal. Richardson looked strong and seemed to pick up where he left off at the end of the season last year. Richardson stopped 10 of 11 shots. Ryan Bednard did not play in this game; however, per Swamp Rabbits broadcaster Mark Shelly, Bednard played in a scrimmage game against the South Carolina Stingrays on Saturday night, allowing one goal in a 2-1 scrimmage victory. Coach Lord will have a good problem to have when deciding who will be his number-one goalie going into the new season.
Special Teams:
Normally, when the team you are cheering for goes on the powerplay, you get excited for the opportunity. However, that was not the case for the Swamp Rabbits, especially in the first period. Greenville had the only powerplay of the period but managed to give up two goals while being up a man. Poor play in the offensive zone led to breakaway chances for Atlanta. While Ingham did everything he could being one-on-one, Atlanta was able to capitalize twice.
Even if the powerplay left a lot to be desired, the penalty kill looked very good. All lines look to have good chemistry and flowed nicely while being down a man. The penalty kill was perfect during the game. It stands out as an improvement from last year.
Mark Louis:
Mark Louis was part of the first defensive pairing the Swamp Rabbits skated out. Pairing with Bobby Russell. Russell is 13 years younger than Louis. Despite the age difference, Louis moved extremely well and fast, and you wouldn’t know how big of an age difference there is, watching the two play with each other. Louis looked very impressive, chasing down players in transition, and seemed to always be in the right position. Louis will be a welcome veteran presence to a younger team. Having an average age of 25 years old.
Tanner Eberle:
Greenville fans know all about Eberle, and even though it was only a preseason game, Eberle was skating around like it was the finals of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Somehow, Eberle looked even faster when compared to last year. Not only does Eberle look faster, but he has continued to bring his physical play to the ice. Always looking to lay a hit on somebody. Eberle added two assists on the night.
Kemp-Smith-Souch:
This forward line showed immediate chemistry and started to turn the tides in favor of the Swamp Rabbits to start the second period. The goal-scoring ability of these three will give opposing coaches a hard time all season long. Producing two of the four goals scored for Greenville in the second period. The line would add a third goal late in the third period. With all three players gaining a point on the final goal of the game. This line consistently kept the puck in the offensive zone and pressured the Atlanta goalie. Kemp finished the game with three points (1G 2A), Smith ended with two goals, and Souch ended the day with one assist.
Greenville will hit the ice again at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday, October 21st, when they host the Norfolk Admirals to start the regular season.
