While the Florida Panthers are off until next season, their ECHL affiliate is still playing meaningful games.
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits missed out on a chance to sweep its first round, best-of-of-five series in the Kelly Cup playoffs, falling to the Indy Fuel by a 3-2 in Game 3 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Ryan Bednard took the loss, finishing with 30 saves on 33 shots as the Fuel forced Game 4 tonight in Greenville. The series will shift back to Indianapolis for a decisive Game 5 if necessary.
Joey Haddad scored a goal and added an assist, and Shawn Crawford notched the other Swamp Rabbits goal.
Benjamin Finkelstein and Liam Pecararo picked up the assists on Haddad’s goal, which completed the scoring 8:17 into the third period.
Panthers prospects Patrick Bajkov and Alec Rauhauser each registered a shot on goal during the tilt. Rauhauser’s first period tripping penalty opened the door for Indy to take an early lead, thanks to Spencer Watson’s power-play goal at the 5:21 mark. Rauhauser took a cross-checking call in the second, but that one was killed off.
Finkelstein, a seventh round Cats draft choice in 2016 who wasn’t signed to entry-level contract, led Greenville with five shots on goal.
Willie Raskob and Peter Krieger each collected a goal and an assist for the visiting Fuel.
Schedule for NHL Semifinals