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More Records Shattered, But Blades Lose

March 26, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Arkansas RiverBlades News Release


Buddy Smith got his 100th point, and Jason Bermingham scored all four goals to set a new team record for goals in a season with 38, but the RiverBlades lost 7-4 to the Columbus Cottonmouths Wednesday at the Alltel Arena.

Bermingham broke the old RiverBlades' record of 37 goals, set by Mark Cadotte in 2000-2001. He also tied the team record for most goals in a game, set by Mark Cadotte and Trevor Gallant in 1999-2000. Buddy Smith had three assists in the game, and now leads the ECHL with 102 points.

J.J. Hunter has 2 goals and 3 assists in the win for Columbus, and Brent Cullaton added 2 goals and an assist for the Cottonmouths.

John Morlang dented the scoreboard first, getting his 18th from Darren Tiemstra at 4:53.

Then, at 7:15, J.J Hunter tallied a short-handed goal unassisted to give Columbus a 2-0 lead.

Arkansas cut the lead to 2-1 at 10:17, as Jason Bermingham tallied his 35th goal of the season set up by Buddy Smith and Matt Pagnutti. The assist gives Buddy Smith 100 points on the season, making him the first RiverBlade ever to eclipse the century mark.

Darren McAusland then extended the lead to 3-1 for Columbus at the 13:15 mark, assisted by John Morlang and Carlyle Lewis.

The Cottonmouths extended their lead to 4-1 at the 2:48 mark of the period, as Brent Cullaton scored his 17th goal of the year from J.J. Hunter.

Jason Bermingham would then make it a 4-2 game, notching his 36th of the season and second of the game at 4:29. Ryan Coole and Matt Pagnutti had helpers on the play.

Columbus would come right back, however, as J.J Hunter got his second of the game at 5:57, assisted by Brent Cullaton and Darren Tiemstra.

In a wild third period, Columbus dominated the first half of it, as Darren Tiemstra and Brent Cullaton found the net, but Jason Bermingham scored two goals 32 seconds apart to set the final.

Scott Fankhouser stopped 20 of 25 in two periods of work, and Jimi St. John made 14 of 16 saves relieving him in the final frame. Matus Kostur had 34 saves in the win for the Cottonmouths.

Columbus outshot Arkansas 41-38 for the game, and the Cottonmouths were 1-for-4 on the power-play. The RiverBlades were 3-for-7 with the man advantage.

The Blades travel to Jackson Friday, and return home for Fan Appreciation Night Saturday against the Louisiana IceGators. Faceoff is set for 7:05 p.m. at the Alltel Arena.

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