Cottonmouths Week in Review

Published on January 16, 2012 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths took five out of a possible six standing points last week. On Tuesday, the Snakes defeated Huntsville at home in the lone game of the week at the Snake Pit. After an overtime loss against the league-leading Augusta RiverHawks on Wednesday night, Columbus traveled to Huntsville on Saturday and picked up a 5-1 road win against the Havoc. The Cottonmouths have three games in three days this weekend, beginning with a home-and-home series against the Knoxville Ice Bears on Friday in Tennessee and Saturday at the Snake Pit. On Sunday, the Mississippi RiverKings make their SPHL debut to the Columbus Civic Center in an afternoon game. All games will be broadcast on America One 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 107.7 FM.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 2-0-1

Record: 17-9-5, 39 pts (3rd, SPHL)

98 GF, 86 GA

19.1% PP (3rd, SPHL); 90.9% PK (1st, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

1/10 - G Barney Slayton removed as emergency goaltender

1/10 - F John Sullivan activated from injured reserve

1/11 - F John Sullivan suspended two games by SPHL

SPHL STANDINGS

TEAM GP W L OTL PTS WPCT GF GA PIM HOME ROAD L-TEN STREAK

Augusta 33 23 8 2 48 .727 128 98 814 15-2-2 8-6-0 5-4-1 1-0-0

Knoxville 30 22 7 1 45 .750 125 86 549 13-2-0 9-5-1 6-3-1 1-0-0

Columbus 31 17 9 5 39 .629 98 86 587 10-4-2 7-5-3 6-2-2 1-0-0

Pensacola 27 15 10 2 32 .593 89 80 495 10-3-0 5-7-2 7-3-0 0-2-0

Louisiana 30 15 13 2 32 .533 101 107 527 7-5-1 8-8-1 5-5-0 0-1-0

Huntsville 32 13 16 3 29 .453 96 114 783 7-7-1 6-9-2 5-5-0 0-1-0

Mississippi Surge 28 11 14 3 25 .446 83 97 508 7-5-2 4-9-1 3-5-2 1-0-0

Mississippi R'Kings 28 10 15 3 23 .411 82 98 451 7-7-1 3-8-2 5-4-1 3-0-0

Fayetteville 31 9 19 3 21 .339 96 132 539 4-9-2 5-10-1 3-6-1 0-1-1

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Friday, January 20 - Columbus at Knoxville, 7:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. KNX: 1-0-2)

The Snakes travel to the Knoxville Civic Coliseum to face the Ice Bears on Friday night. The Ice Bears are currently battling Augusta for the top spot in the SPHL standings and are currently three points behind the RiverHawks with three games in hand on them; Knoxville's .750 winning percentage, however, is tops in the SPHL. The Ice Bears are 3-2-1 since loaning goaltender Bryan Hince to Greenville of the ECHL. Nick Niedert, who played for several SPHL teams during the league's first three seasons, has returned to the league, playing alongside rookie Jesse Kallechy in net for Knoxville.

Saturday, January 21 - Knoxville at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST

The Ice Bears and Snakes will play the back end of the home-and-home series Saturday night in Columbus. Despite the goaltending roster moves Knoxville has had to make, the one constant continues to be the one-two punch of forwards Kevin Swider and Emery Olauson, who are currently first and second, respectively, in scoring in the league. PROMOTIONS: Wiener Dog Races on Ice, presented by 2nd Avenue Animal Hospital! Register your dachshund at cottonmouths.com; Pet Supply Driveplease bring food, toys, etc to donate to animals in loca shelters; Happy Hour--$2 Bud Light from 6:30-8 pm

Sunday, January 22 - Mississippi RiverKings at Columbus, 4:00 PM EST (Season Series vs. MRK: 1-1-1)

The Mississippi RiverKings make their SPHL debut in the Snake Pit on Sunday afternoon. The two teams have already faced each other three times in Southaven, Miss., with the Snakes winning one in regulation, losing one in regulation, and losing once in overtime. After going through all of 2011 without a victory away from home, the `Kings have picked up three straight road victories with a win against the intrastate rival Mississippi Surge on January 8 and a weekend sweep at Fayetteville with a pair of wins last weekend. PROMOTIONS: Canine Races on iceregister your non-aggressive breed dog under 20 pounds at cottonmouths.com. Pet Supply Drive.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, January 10 - Huntsville 1 at Columbus 4 (Attendance: 1,540)

After allowing a Dennis Sicard first period goal, the Cottonmouths scored four unanswered goals to take a 4-1 victory over Huntsville on Tuesday night. Greg Beller led the way with a pair of goals while Mitch Wall scored once and John Sullivan added an empty net marker. Ian Vigier stopped 20 of 21 shots he faced for the win while Huntsville's Matt Hache had 25 saves on 28 shots on goal in the loss. Both teams had five power play chances with Huntsville scoreless on the man advantage and Columbus scoring once on the PP.

Wednesday, January 11 - Columbus 3 at Augusta 4 (OT) (Attendance: 2,103)

The Cottonmouths and RiverHawks, for the second straight game against each other, played to a 3-3 tie in regulation. Unlike the other game between the two teams this season, however, the RiverHawks scored the OT game-winner and took the extra standing point with a 4-3 win. Jordan Braid scored a pair of goals for Columbus in regulation with Jesse Cole scoring the other goal for the Snakes. Ian Vigier made 36 saves on 40 shots on goal in the overtime loss while the RiverHawks' Peter Skoggard turned away 27 of the 30 Columbus shots on goal he faced. Columbus was 1 for 5 on the power play while Augusta was 2 for 4.

Saturday, January 14 - Columbus 5 at Huntsville 1 (Attendance: 3,905)

Five different Snakes lit the lamp in a 5-1 victory in Huntsville on Saturday night. Greg Beller opened the scoring with a first period power play goal while Sam Bowles, Jesse Cole, Orrin Hergott, and Bret Tyler scored once apiece. Andrew Loewen made 29 saves on 30 shots on goal for the win between the pipes for the Cottonmouths. Matt Hache had 18 saves on 23 shots on goal in the loss for Huntsville. The Snakes were 2 for 4 on the power play while the Havoc were 0 for 2 with the man advantage.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. F Greg Beller - Beller scored six points on the week with a two-goal effort on Tuesday night, an assist on Wednesday, and a goal and two assists Saturday night.

2. D Bret Tyler - Tyler logged an assist Tuesday and Wednesday and had a goal and two assists Saturday.

3. F Jordan Braid - Braid scored a pair of goals, including the game-tying marker, on Wednesday at Augusta.

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