GAME PREVIEW: Swamp Rabbits at Icemen, Oct. 12, 2019

GAME NOTESGreenville Swamp Rabbits vs. Jacksonville Icemen}Saturday, October 12, 2019 at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena   Home Game #1Referee: Steven Sailor (#5)  Linesmen: Cory Sellers (#48) & Trent Williams (#84)

About Tonight’s Game: Tonight’s home opener is presented by Rimrock/Devlin is officially sold out. Thank you for your continued support! Tonight’s ECHL South Division match-up features the Jacksonville Icemen and the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Tonight the Icemen will drop the puck on their third season in Jacksonville and will enter the 2019-2020 campaign looking to build upon their first playoff appearance last spring.  Meanwhile the Swamp Rabbits have finished last in the South Division in each of the past two seasons, but with the return of several core players and a new NHL affiliation agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes, Grenville is posed for a turnaround season.  The Icemen went 8-1-0 against the Swamp Rabbits last season.  However, five of those eight victories were decided by one goal.           

Series History:  The Icemen lead the All-Time Series 13-6-0.

About the Icemen: The Icemen’s 2019-20 roster features many new faces, but several key players from last season return.  Defenseman Dajon Mingo is back after setting career highs in points (40), goals (11) and assists (29) last season.  Other key returning contributors from last season’s playoff team include Everett Clark, Jack Glover, Alexis D’Aoust, Jacob Cederholm, Hayden Shaw and Kyle Shapiro. Goaltender Griffen Outhouse is expected to start in goal this evening.     

About the Swamp Rabbits:  Michael Pelech returns for his second season in Greenville after leading the team last year with 65 points (18g, 47a).  Also returning is All-Star forward Johno May. May finished third on the team in scoring with 42 points….Goaltender Callum Booth bolsters Greenville’s goaltending group….Forward Cedric Lacroix enters his first season in Greenville after a successful rookie campaign with Wheeling in 2018-19.  Lacroix was second among ECHL rookies last season with five shorthanded goals.   

Next Home Game:   Wednesday, October 30 vs. Atlanta.  Fans can enjoy select $2 beer and wines throughout the night!     There will be a Halloween costume contest and trick-or-treating for the kids in the concourse.