Snakes Eight Points From Clinching Postseason Berth

Published on March 8, 2010 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths played two games over the past week, earning three of a possible four standing points with a win Thursday over Knoxville and an overtime loss Saturday night in Louisiana. This weekend begins the first of three series of three games in three nights for the Snakes over the final three weeks of the season. Currently, Columbus finds themselves seven points ahead of last-place Louisiana with a game in hand on the IceGators. The Cottonmouths can clinch a berth in the SPHL playoffs by either wins or Louisiana losses totaling eight standing points. The Cottonmouths have three games this weekend with home games on Friday against Huntsville and Saturday against Pensacola before embarking on a trip to Biloxi, Miss. for a Sunday afternoon contest against the Mississippi Surge. All three games will be broadcast on B2 Networks with both a video and audio feed, with a nominal fee for each game. A free audio-only webcast of the games is also available. Details can be found at www.cottonmouths.com. In addition, road games are now broadcast locally in the Columbus area on 106.9 WRCG-FM.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 1-0-1

Record: 20-20-7, 47 pts (6th Place, SPHL)

142 GF, 163 GA

18.1% PP (5th, SPHL); 83.5% PK (2nd, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

3/2 - Loaned D Joe DeBello to Wichita (CHL)

3/2 - Added G Geoff Beauparlant as emergency backup

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Friday, March 12 - Huntsville at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. HSV: 2-5-2)

The Huntsville Havoc play for the final time in the regular season at the Snake Pit for a Friday night contest. After starting the season 0-5-1 against Huntsville, the Snakes are 2-1-1 in their last four contests against the Havoc. After spending most of the season in first place in the standings, the Havoc are now in third place, fighting for home-ice advantage in the SPHL playoffs.

PROMOTIONS: Teddy Bear TossFans are asked to bring a stuffed animal to throw on the ice when the Snakes score their first goal. Stuffed animals will be collected by Columbus Fire and EMS and given to children who have been in traumatic fires or accidents.

Saturday, March 13 - Pensacola at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. PEN: 4-2-2)

The Pensacola Ice Flyers face the Cottonmouths for the final time in the regular season on Saturday night. The Ice Flyers are just five points ahead of Columbus in fifth place and have played two more games than the Snakes. Pensacola's Lorne Misita leads the league in scoring out of anyone not in a Fayetteville or Mississippi jersey or not named Kevin Swider.

PROMOTIONS: `Kazoo Take Two!'- The Snakes will make a second attempt to break the Guinness World Record for largest kazoo ensemble.

Sunday, March 14 - Columbus at Mississippi, 6:05 PM EDT (Season Series vs. MIS: 3-3-0)

The Snakes head to Biloxi for the final time in the regular season on Sunday afternoon to face the Mississippi Surge. The Surge are tops in the SPHL with a four point lead over second-place Fayetteville with a game in hand on the FireAntz. The Surge's Matt Zultek is currently second in the league in goals scored behind Rob Sich of Fayetteville with 44 goals on the season, and Mississippi's Bill Zaniboni is second in the league among goaltenders in goals-against average behind Mark Sibbald of Huntsville.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Thursday, March 4 - Knoxville 2 at Columbus 3 (Attendance: 1,850)

The Cottonmouths defeated the Knoxville Ice Bears 3-2 on Thursday night. Thursday's scoring was sponsored by the letter L as Dan Leslie, Levi Lind, and Kyle Lundale scored goals for the Snakes. Leslie added an assist while Tim Green notched two assists for a two-point night as well. Ian Vigier had 37 saves on 39 shots on goal for Columbus while Andrew Gallant, making his first start for the Ice Bears since late January, had 28 saves on 31 shots. Knoxville was 0 for 8 on the power play while Columbus was 1 for 5.

Saturday, March 6 - Columbus 4 at Louisiana 5 (OT) (Attendance: 281)

Trevor Karasiewicz's overtime goal just nine seconds into the extra session gave the Louisiana IceGators the extra standing point in a 5-4 win over the Snakes in Lafayette on Saturday night. Sam Bowles, Jesse Cole, Levi Lind, and Tim Green scored the goals for the Snakes. Chad Rycroft took the overtime loss in net for the Snakes with 34 saves on 39 shots, while A.J. Bucchino stopped 17 of 21 shots in net for the `Gators. Columbus was 1 for 3 on the power play while Louisiana was 2 for 6.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. F Levi Lind - Lind was the only Cottonmouth with a goal in both games over the weekend.

2. F Tim Green - Green's goal in the final minute of Saturday's game forced overtime. Green also had two assists in Thursday's home win over Knoxville.

3. D Tyler Johnson - Johnson notched an assist Thursday and had two helpers Saturday.

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