Inferno beat Catters 2-1

Published on January 19, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Columbia Inferno News Release

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia Inferno (16-15-4-5, 41 points) used a Brad Ralph power play goal and another superb outing from goaltender Jeff Jakaitis to beat the ECHL-leading Texas Wildcatters (28-4-3-4, 63 points) 2-1 in overtime on Saturday night.

Columbia took a 1-0 lead 14:50 into the first period on Owen Fussey's 10th goal of the season. Winger Jeff Miles skated down the far boards and passed to Ralph, who was waiting in the slot and quickly fired at Texas goalie Anton Khudobin. Fussey then smacked the rebound into the empty right side of the net. Texas knotted the game 1-1 midway through the second period, when, on a similar play, Wildcatters forward Moises Gutierrez pushed a Michael Grenzy rebound through the slot and past Jakaitis. The two sides continued to play a tight, physical game through a scoreless third period, finally forcing overtime. Just 50 seconds into the extra frame, Texas defenseman Tim Cook was whistled for holding the stick, putting the Inferno on a 4-on-3 powerplay. 21 seconds later, Ralph, camped out in the low slot, deflected a heavy Reid Cashman wrister up over Khudobin's glove shoulder to give the Inferno a 2-1 victory. The win earned Columbia three points in the two-game series between the two teams, as Texas won 2-1 in a shootout on Friday night. Khudobin stopped 24 of 26 shots, while Jakaitis, making his 11th-consecutive start, turned aside 35 of 36. The Inferno return to the Carolina Coliseum on Saturday, Jan. 26 to host the Charlotte Checkers at 7:05 p.m. Group tickets, season tickets, fundraisers and the coolest birthday parties in town are all available by calling 803.256.7825 or by logging on to columbiainferno.com

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