The Greenville Swamp Rabbits bounced back and ended a seven-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Jacksonville Icemen on Sunday.
Austin Lotz started the game in goal in search of his fifth straight win. However, the Swamp Rabbits would have other plans as Shawn Bates scored a power-play goal just 76 seconds into the game. Minutes later, Bates would tally another goal on the man advantage with a flukey goal off Dajon Mingo's skate. Sean Flanagan would extend the Greenville lead to three with a spin-o-rama shot from the left circle that found the top shelf. Colton Phinney would enter the game in relief of Lotz, his first appearance since last Sunday's loss against Manchester.
The Icemen would turn it around as the first period came to a close. Tyson Fawcett skated into the offensive zone on a two-on-one breakaway and decided to keep the puck as he fired a wrist shot past Zoltan Hetenyi to get Jacksonville on the board. The Icemen trailed after the first period for the first time this week.
Greenville was able to stifle the Icemen's momentum early in the second period and they kept Jacksonville off the scoresheet throughout the middle frame. During the even second period, the Swamp Rabbits would get a break as a loose puck led to a three-on-one break at center ice. Shane Walsh found Caleb Herbert with a cross-ice pass for the 4-1 lead. Jacksonville would have a flurry of offensive chances late in an attempt to cut the deficit to two, but Hetenyi stood strong and denied each shot on goal.
Bobby MacIntyre cut the Swamp Rabbits' lead to two when he roofed the puck up past Hetenyi early in the third period. The Icemen would get a few power-play opportunities, but Hetenyi was able to fend off each scoring chance.
The Icemen continue the 2017-18 season, presented by Community First Credit Union, on Thursday, Feb. 1 as they host the Atlanta Gladiators at 7:30 p.m.
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