GREENSBORO, NC – The Greensboro Gargoyles, proud ECHL affiliate of the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes and the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, took three of a possible four points out of their two-game weekend series against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits with an overtime finish on Saturday and their first win of the season, 3-2 in overtime on Sunday.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEKEND

The Gargoyles weekend series against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at First Horizon Coliseum was highlighted by their first win of the 2026-27 season on Sunday afternoon. Greensboro fell 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night despite a franchise-record 47-save performance from goaltender Yegor Velmakin. Austen May scored his second goal of the season midway through the second period, giving the Gargoyles their first lead of the season. Greenville's Ryan O'Hara tied the game on the power play before Cameron Supryka sealed the win for the Swamp Rabbits at 4:01 of overtime.

Sunday's Howl-O-Ween matchup brought another overtime thriller, as Greensboro rallied twice to defeat Greenville 3-2. Braden Doyle scored his first goal since February on the power play, with Ben Raymond and Parker Lindauer recording their first points as Gargoyles on the play. After Greenville regained the lead late in the opening period, Tyler Cristall scored a highlight-reel goal 6:49 into the second period to tie the game at 2-2. Tyler Paquette picked up his first point of the season with an acrobatic assist on the equalizer.

Ruslan Khazheyev delivered a career-high 46-save performance on Sunday, including five stops in overtime, setting the stage for Thomas Freel to bury his first career goal at 5:44 of the extra frame. Lindauer recorded his second primary assist of the afternoon on the game-winner, while Cullen Ferguson picked up his first point as a Gargoyle. Greensboro finished the weekend with 93 combined saves from Velmakin and Khazheyev, earning its first three standings points of the season.

MILESTONES

Mitch Giguere picked up his first win as a professional head coach on Sunday
Greensboro's goaltenders combined to stop 93 of 97 shots over the weekend for a .959 save percentage. Yegor Velmakin's 47-save performance Saturday set a new franchise record, while Ruslan Khazheyev's 46 saves Sunday marked a career high. The Gargoyles earned points in consecutive games for the first time this season, collecting three of a possible four points in a pair of overtime contests.
Several Gargoyles reached individual milestones, highlighted by Thomas Freel's first professional goal. Tyler Cristall recorded his first professional assist and point Saturday before scoring his first professional goal Sunday. Parker Lindauer recorded his first two points as a Gargoyle, while Cullen Ferguson and Chase Lefebvre each picked up their first points with Greensboro. Lefebvre's assist Saturday also marked his first career ECHL point. Five different Gargoyles skaters recorded points in both games over the weekend.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

The Gargoyles hit the road for two of their three games next weekend, visiting the Norfolk Admirals on Friday and Saturday, October 30-31, for 7 PM starts. The North Division rivalry travels back to Gate City to finish the weekend on home ice Sunday, November 1 for Sunday Funday presented by Lakeside Dental.

Then, the team stays at home to finish a seven-game home stand with three games against the Maine Mariners and three against the Worcester Railers at First Horizon Coliseum.

Maine visits Greensboro for the first time on School Day, a 10:30 AM puck drop on Thursday, November 5, welcoming the next generation of Gargoyles fanatics. Then, the series continues with Wizard Weekend on Friday and Saturday, November 6-7, at 7 PM.

Worcester is in town on Thursday, November 12, at 7 PM for I Love Greensboro Night. Saturday, November 14, is the Gargoyles Cancer Awareness game starting at 7 PM. The home stand closes on Sunday, November 15 with another Sunday Funday.

Season tickets and single-game tickets for the 2026-27 season are on sale now. For more information about season tickets or group outings, call (336) 365-0295 or email info@gargoyleshockey.com.

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