Rabbits Burn Glads 4-1

The Gladiators faced off against the Swamp Rabbits Sunday afternoon for the second time in as many times, and much like Saturday's result - Greenville came away with the win and the crucial two points. Justin Buzzeo contributed the Glads lone goal. The visiting Swamp Rabbits opened the scoring for the game at 11:38 of the opening period. Ryan Rashid received a pass behind the net from teammate Garett Bembridge on the powerplay, and worked his way to the front of the net where he snuck the puck between the post and the blocker of Atlanta goaltender, Kent Patterson. The tally was the Michigan native's 11th goal of the season, while Bembridge notched his 17th assist on the play.Greenville would double their lead to 2-0 just two and a half minutes later when Rashid put home a rebound for his second tally of the game. Joe Houk was credited with his seventh assist on the season after taking the original shot from the point, and Josh Nicholls picked up his 15th helper after sending the pass to Houk. The Gladiators would then cut their deficit in half just 2:02 into the middle frame. Ian Barteaux got the puck at the point and sent a pass to Brock Higgs in the corner. Higgs then sent a saucer pass in front of the net to Justin Buzzeo who batted in his 10th goal of the year. Higgs notched his 19th assist of the season with his centering pass, while Barteaux was credited with his 11th helper. Quick to respond, the Swamp Rabbits regained their two-goal lead just four minutes later. Scott Fleming slid the puck into a wide open net after receiving a pass from Kodie Curran at the back door. The former Dartmouth College captain was credited with his team-leading 16th score of the season on the goal that made it 3-1. Curran picked up his 16th assist of the year, with Rashid notching his third point of the game on the secondary helper.Greenville took their first three-goal lead 4:52 into the final stanza. Fleming scored his second goal of the game, and 17th of the year, by sending the puck past a sprawling Patterson in front of the crease. Michael St. Croix was credited with his 24th assist of the season after sending a pass in front to Fleming.With the loss on home ice, Atlanta remains in 6th place in the Eastern Conference at 65 points with a record of 29-22-5-2. Meanwhile, the Swamp Rabbits improve to 26-24-7-0 with the win, giving them 59 points, and placing them in 10th place in the Eastern Conference. Photo by Taylor Trebotte