Post Season Recap

April 15, 2014 - SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths made it to the President's Cup Finals for the third time in their ten-year history. Unlike their previous two appearances, though, the Snakes were on the losing end of the championship series this season, falling two games to none to back-to-back SPHL champion Pensacola. The Snakes earned the sixth seed in the playoffs this season, defeating third-seeded Peoria in three games in the first round and beating fifth seed Huntsville in a two-game sweep in the semifinals to advance to the league championship.

PLAYOFF REVIEW

Wednesday, March 26 - Columbus 0 at Peoria 2 (Attendance: 1,369)

SPHL Goaltender of the Year Kyle Rank was true to form in Game 1 of the series against the Snakes, shutting the door on all 35 Snakes shots on goal in a 2-0 shutout win in Peoria. The shutout was Rank's ninth overall of the season, coming off a year in which he set the SPHL record with eight regular-season goose eggs. Garrett Vermeersch, who himself was named to the ALL-SPHL second team and the league's all-rookie team, scored both goals for Peoria. Parker Stanfield assisted on both goals, with Nick Prockow and Joe Schiller tallying a helper apiece. Andrew Loewen turned away 24 of 26 shots on goal for the Cottonmouths. The Snakes were 0 for 4 on the power play while the Rivermen were 1 for 3 with the man advantage.

Friday, March 28 - Peoria 1 at Columbus 6 (Attendance: 1,371)

In stark contrast to Wednesday night's game in Peoria, the Snakes scored early and often, chasing Kyle Rank from goal early in the second period in a 6-1 rout over the Rivermen. Matt Gingera scored a pair of goals late while Nielsson Arcibal, Jordan Draper, and Levi Lind scored once each, and forward Shayne Stockton scored his first professional goal in the game. Andrew Loewen turned away 33 of 34 Peoria shots on goal for the win, while Rank made 19 saves on 23 shots before being spelled in the Rivermen net by Kevin Carr, who made 20 saves on 22 shots. The Cottonmouths were 2 of 3 on the power play while Peoria was 1 for 5 with the man advantage.

Sunday, March 30 - Columbus 4 at Peoria 1 (Attendance: 1,211)

Andrew Loewen turned in his second straight game of allowing just one goal and the Snakes did something they couldn't do all season: win a game in Peoria, taking a 4-1 win in the deciding Game 3 of their quarterfinal series wih the Rivermen. Sam Bowles and Matt Gingera scored a goal apiece while Preston Shupe had two goals, one of the empty net variety in the game's final 30 seconds to seal the win. Loewen made 27 saves on 28 shots while Peoria's Kyle Rank stopped 16 of 18 shots in the first period before again being replaced by Kevin Carr, who turned away 19 of 20 shots in net for Peoria. The Snakes were 1 for 8 on the power play and held the Rivermen scoreless in their six chances with the man advantage.

Wednesday, April 2 - Columbus 1 at Huntsville 0 (Attendance: 915)

Andrew Loewen turned away all 45 Havoc shots on goal in Game 1 of the Snakes' semifinal series against the Huntsville Havoc, picking up his first professional playoff shutout in a 1-0 win at the Ice Plex in Huntsville. Shayne Stockton, playing in just his fourth game pro after playing earlier this season collegiately at Holy Cross, scored the only goal of the game, with defenseman Tom Maldonado assisting. Havoc netminder Jesse Kallechy deserved a better fate as he stopped 24 of the 25 Columbus shots on goal he saw. There were only three minor penalties called in the entire contest, so special teams had very light work: Columbus was 0 for 1 on the power play while the Havoc were 0 for 2 with the man advantage.

Thursday, April 3 - Huntsville 2 at Columbus 4 (Attendance: 2,131)

Jordan Draper scored the game-winning goal for the Snakes midway through the third period and Matt Gingera added an empty-net goal for good measure to complete the two-game sweep of the Huntsville Havoc and send the Snakes to the President's Cup Finals. The other goals came off the sticks of defensemen with Kyle Johnson and Mike Switzer scoring once each. Andrew Loewen made 29 saves on 31 shots while Jesse Kallechy turned away a whopping 51 of the 54 Snakes shots on goal he faced. The Cottonmouths were 0 for 5 on the power play while the Havoc made good on their only power play chance of the game.

Thursday, April 10 - Columbus 1 at Pensacola 9 (Attendance: 4,266)

The Pensacola Ice Flyers set an SPHL record for goals scored in a President's Cup Finals game and tied the record for the most goals scored in an SPHL playoff game in a commanding 9-1 victory over Columbus in Game 1 of the SPHL Finals on Thursday night in Pensacola. The nine-goal output tied a mark set by Columbus in a 9-3 win over Fayetteville on March 26, 2009 (the FireAntz actually came back to win that series). Will Aide scored the lone goal of the contest for the Cottonmouths. After allowing no more than two goals in any one game in the postseason, Snakes netminder Andrew Loewen allowed six goals on 21 shots before being relieved by Shannon Szabados late in the second period. Szabados stopped nine of the twelve shots she faced. Ross MacKinnon took the win between the pipes for Pensacola, turning away 28 of 29 Columbus shots on goal. The Ice Flyers were 2 for 4 on the power play and held the Cottonmouths scoreless in their four power play chances.

Saturday, April 12 - Columbus 1 at Pensacola 5 (Attendance: 4,127)

The Pensacola Ice Flyers hoisted the 2014 SPHL President's Cup on Saturday night after a 5-1 victory over the Cottonmouths in the Snake Pit. Preston Shupe scored the only Columbus goal of the night while SPHL playoff MVP Brett Lutes scored the game's first two goals, including the game-winner, for Pensacola. Andrew Loewen had 25 saves on 30 shots on goal between the pipes for Columbus, while the Ice Flyers' Ross MacKinnon turned away 21 of 22 shots on goal in net for Pensacola. The Snakes were 0 for 2 on the power play while Pensacola was 1 for 2 with the man advantage.

THREE STARS OF THE YEAR

1. F Matt Gingera - Gingera led the team in goals and points for the second straight season, and his 32-goal output was tied for second-best in the SPHL. For his efforts, he was named to the all-SPHL second team.

2. G Andrew Loewen - After a slow start, Loewen had an impressive latter part of the season and finished second in the league in minutes, third in the SPHL with 21 wins, and sixth among all goaltenders with a 2.70 goals-against average. His six shutouts on the season were the second-highest total in SPHL history, second only to Kyle Rank's eight-shutout total this season.

3. D Jason Gray - The rookie defenseman was named to the SPHL's all-rookie team and led all Snakes defensemen in goals (8) and points (30).



SPHL Stories from April 15, 2014


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