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RiverHawks Slide by Cottonmouths

February 3, 2012 - SPHL (SPHL)
Augusta RiverHawks News Release


The Augusta RiverHawks edged out the Columbus Cottonmouths 2-1 Friday night at the Columbus Civic Center in a matchup of two of the top teams in the Southern Professional Hockey League. The game winning goal was scored just over four minutes into the third period off of the stick of RiverHawks' forward Jim Gehring.

The win was a big one for the RiverHawks, as the Cottonmouths had streaked their way into a tie with the Knoxville Ice Bears for second place in the SPHL standings. The RiverHawks' win over the Cottonmouths combined with the Ice Bears' losing Friday night gives the RiverHawks a seven point cushion over both teams in the race for the regular season crown.

The RiverHawks came out of the gates on fire dominating the first period of play out-shooting the Cottonmouths 15-3 in the initial 20 minutes of play. However, Cottonmouths' goaltender Ian Vigier was up to the task making all 15 stops.

Vigier's club rewarded their net-minder's fine efforts early in the second period as Daniel Amesbury scored for Columbus just 15 seconds into the second stanza.

The score would remain 1-0 throughout most of the second period, but as play wound down the RiverHawks would manage to tie the game. Forward Justin MacDonald, playing in his first game since returning to the RiverHawks' lineup after an upper body injury, fired his seventh goal of the season past Vigier to knot things up.

The RiverHawks enjoyed six power plays throughout the game, and they were finally able to break through early in the third period. Gehring tallied the game winning goal just 4:44 into the third frame, giving his team their first lead of the game.

RiverHawks' goaltender Jon Olthuis would shut the door the rest of the way, preserving the 2-1 victory for Augusta. Olthuis made 19 saves on his way to picking up his tenth win of the season. Defensemen Drew Baker and Jason Price each assisted on both RiverHawks' goals.

The RiverHawks are back in action on Phoenix Refrigeration Ice at the James Brown Arena Friday, February 10th as the RiverHawks play the Fayetteville FireAntz. The puck drops at 7:35pm.Tickets for the game are available through the RiverHawks' office and the James Brown Arena box office. Additional information on the Team, tickets, and schedule are available on the RiverHawks' home on the web, www.augustariverhawks.com or by calling 706-993-2645.



SPHL Stories from February 3, 2012


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