GREENVILLE, SC (Florida Sports Wire) – Three unanswered goals by the Greenville Swamp Rabbits paved the way for a 3-1 win over the Jacksonville Icemen on Friday night at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Game 4 of the South Division Semifinal.
After the game started with an aggressive offensive attack by the Swamp Rabbits, the Icemen broke the deadlock at 13:43, as Matt Iacopelli sped down the wing for his second of the series.
Greenville tied the game in the second period, at 13:51, Joe Leahy paddled his first professional goal into the Jacksonville net.
Early in the third, the Swamp Rabbits captured their first lead of the game, as Carter Souch’s shot rebounded to Ben Freeman, who scored his second of the series just 2:21 into the period. Shortly after, at 3:35, Justin Nachbaur scored on the rebound, his first goal of the series to give the Swamp Rabbits the 3-1 lead.
Greenville’s goaltender Ryan Bednard made 11 saves in the third period, stopping 22 of 23 Jacksonville chances for his second win of the series.
Greenville’s win the Swamp Rabbits level with the Icemen at 2-2 in the best-of-seven South Division Semifinal.
The Swamp Rabbits and the Icemen meet again at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday, April 29, for Game 5. Puck drop is slated for 7:05 p.m.
STINGRAYS EVEN SERIES
The South Carolina Stingrays evened the series at two wins apiece behind a 4-2 defeat of the Florida Everblades on Friday night at Hertz Arena. Clay Stevenson turned back 34 shots to earn the victory in net.
Florida broke through at the 2:20 mark of the first period as Oliver Chau netted his first postseason goal in his postseason debut. Chau’s goal gave the Everblades a 1-0 lead for the third time in the series.
The Stingrays responded 1:02 later on Jarid Lukosevicius’ third goal in the past two games. Lukosevicius split the Florida defense and collected a puck before firing a shot past the blocker of Cam Johnson for the tie game.
Josh Wilkins gave South Carolina a one-goal lead 38 seconds later as he tallied his first goal of the postseason on the man advantage off a rebound from Bear Hughes. Wilkins led the Stingrays during the regular season with 12 power play goals, the franchises’ most in 14 seasons.
Following a scoreless second period, Florida tied the game early in the third frame as Sean Josling tipped a shot over the shoulder of Stevenson for the 2-2 contest.
Lukosevicius regained the Stingrays’ lead on his second goal of the match with 9:21 left in regulation. Hughes won a faceoff to Lukosevicius who fired a shot over the right shoulder of Johnson for the 3-2 lead.
With time winding down, Anthony Del Gaizo iced the game on his first goal of the postseason. Hughes picked up the helper as he recorded a three-assist night.
The Stingrays gear up for Game 5 of the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs against the Florida Everblades Saturday night at Hertz Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m.
