Snake Pit Weekly

Published on January 19, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths' 11-game winning streak was dropped on the road against the Knoxville Ice Bears on Thursday night with an 8-2 loss. On Friday night, the Pee Dee Cyclones defeated the Snakes for only the second time this season with a 6-5 win in Florence, S.C. The Snakes look to rebound this week with games at Fayetteville on Friday and Huntsville on Saturday night. In addition to airing on the Internet via Live365, both games this week will be simulcast live in the Columbus area on WCJM "The Bull," 100.9 FM. Catch all the action from the Crown Coliseum on Friday night beginning at 7:30 PM EST and the Von Braun Center on Saturday night beginning at 8:30 PM EST. The "Voice of the Snakes" Dana Barker will bring all the play-by-play action and also host the "Fourth Period Show" after the games. Fans can call 706.645.2991 and talk about the game and Snakes hockey live. CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS Last Week: 0-2-0 Record: 18-11-3, 39 points (3rd, SPHL) 127 GF, 116 GA 19.8% PP (4th, SPHL); 81.2% PK (3rd, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS none

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS Friday, January 20 - Columbus at Fayetteville, 7:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. FAY: 3-1-0) The Cottonmouths travel to Fayetteville on Friday night to face the hometown FireAntz. After a 3-2 Fayetteville win in the Snake Pit on November 20, the Snakes have reeled off three straight victories against the FireAntz and snapped their 13-game home winning streak on January 8 with a 4-3 win. After carrying first place in the SPHL for most of the season, Fayetteville has cooled off as of late as they have only won two of their last nine games overall.

Saturday, January 21 - Columbus at Huntsville, 8:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. HSV: 2-4-1) Columbus visits the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala. for the final time in the regular season on Saturday night for a game against the Havoc. The Havoc have dominated the Snakes in the VBC as they have taken four of the five games played in Huntsville against Columbus. However, the Cottonmouths won the last time in Huntsville, a 5-2 decision on December 23, and also beat the Havoc in their last meeting at the Snake Pit with a 3-2 shootout win on Christmas Day.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW Thursday, January 12 - Columbus 2 at Knoxville 8 (Attendance: 2,574) Knoxville's Jason Bermingham scored just nine seconds into Thursday night's game, setting the tone for the night as the Ice Bears halted the Cottonmouths' winning streak at eleven games with an 8-2 win. Ryan Rutz scored his then-league leading 23rd goal of the season, and Brock Johnson scored his first goal on the year as well. Chad Rycroft stopped 40 of 48 between the pipes for the Snakes while Jamie Ronayne made 41 saves on 43 shots for the win in goal for the Ice Bears. There were a total of 23 power plays given out as Columbus was 1 for 13 with the man advantage and Knoxville was 4 for 10.

Friday, January 13 - Columbus 5 at Pee Dee 6 (Attendance: 1,285) The Cottonmouths bolted to a 4-1 lead over the Pee Dee Cyclones on Friday night in Florence, S.C., but a five-goal barrage by the Cyclones in the latter stages of the third period proved too much for the Snakes as they fell 6-5 to Pee Dee. Tim Green, Ryan Haggarty, Tylor Keller, and Lorne Misita all scored for the Snakes. Ryan Senft took the loss in net, stopping 22 of 27, while Bryan Worosz made 32 saves on 37 shots to pick up the win for the Cyclones. Columbus was 1 for 7 on the power play while holding Pee Dee scoreless in their six chances with the man advantage.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK 1. F Tylor Keller - Keller scored a goal and added two assists in the two games. With 39 assists, Keller is only one behind Knoxville's Kevin Swider for the SPHL lead in that category. 2. F Ryan Rutz - Rutz scored a goal on Thursday and tallied an assist on Friday. His 23 goals on the season to date is one behind Florida's Steve Zoryk for the league lead. 3. F Lorne Misita - Misita tallied a goal and assist in the two games and was a +2 on the week.

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