Snakes go unbeaten in regulation, earn first win

Published on November 14, 2005 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths ran their unbeaten streak in regulation to three games over the weekend. The Snakes picked up a point for the regulation tie but fell in overtime to the Pee Dee Cyclones on Friday night in Florence, S.C. On Saturday night, Columbus exacted revenge on the Jacksonville Barracudas for a loss two weeks prior, defeating them 5-0. Saturday's game marked the first shutout in the SPHL this season as Chad Rycroft earned his second career shutout between the pipes for the Cottonmouths. The Snakes' schedule gets a little busier this week with three games in three days. On Friday, Columbus plays the final game of a six-game road trip in Huntsville against the hometown Havoc. On Saturday, the Snakes play their first home game in 28 days, opening a four-game homestand with a visit from the Pee Dee Cyclones. The home schedule continues on Sunday with a 4 PM matinee against the Fayetteville FireAntz, marking the first game the Snakes have played Fayetteville since eliminating them from last year's playoffs. In addition to airing on the Internet via Live365, both Friday's and Sunday's games will be simulcast live in the Columbus area on WCJM "The Bull," 100.9 FM. Catch all the action from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville on Friday night beginning at 8:25 PM EST and on Sunday from the Columbus Civic Center beginning at 3:55 PM EST. The "Voice of the Snakes" Dana Barker will bring the play-by-play live from both locations. Also, call in after both games during the "Fourth Period Show." Fans can call 706.645.2991 and talk about the game and Snakes hockey live.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 1-0-1

Record: 1-4-2, 4 points (7th, SPHL)

21 GF, 28 GA

15.3% PP (7th, SPHL); 81.8% PK (T-1st, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

none

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Friday, November 18 - Columbus at Huntsville, 8:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. HSV: 0-2-1)

THIS GAME WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON WCJM 100.9 FM!

The Snakes close out their six-game span of games away from Columbus with Friday night's contest against the Huntsville Havoc. The Snakes have yet to win a game against Huntsville but lost a hard-fought battle in overtime against the Havoc in the last meeting between the two teams on November 5.

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS (cont'd)

Saturday, November 19 - Pee Dee at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. PD: 0-0-1)

Columbus returns home for the first game in four weeks inside the friendly confines of the Snake Pit on Saturday night against the Pee Dee Cyclones. The Cottonmouths will be looking for payback as the Cyclones spun back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game in regulation and earn an overtime victory last Friday in Florence, S.C. Saturday is "God Bless Fort Benning Day" at the Snake Pit. Festivities will be ongoing in the Civic Center parking lot from 10 AM to 6 PM with the gates opening at 6 PM for entrance into the Snake Pit for the game. The Snakes will be sporting red, white, and blue American flag jerseys for the game that will be auctioned off after the game, and a drawing will be held for a lucky season ticket holder to win a jersey as well.

Sunday, November 20 - Fayetteville at Columbus, 4:00 PM EST (Season Series vs. FAY: First Meeting)

THIS GAME WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON WCJM 100.9 FM!

The Fayetteville FireAntz visit the Snake Pit for the first time this season in a Sunday afternoon contest. The FireAntz sport the league's best winning percentage with 13 points in eight games. Fayetteville boasts a 5-0-0 record at the home Crown Coliseum but are 1-1-1 in games played outside the state of North Carolina. Goaltender Jomar Cruz relocated from Winston-Salem to Fayetteville in the offseason and boasts the best save percentage in the SPHL coming into the weekend. Sunday's game features "Kids in Motion" with inflatable rides outside the Civic Center beginning at 2 PM. Also, fans displaying a church bulletin at the Civic Center box office will receive a $3 discount on tickets.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, November 11 - Columbus 3 at Pee Dee 4 (OT) (Attendance: 1,566)

The Snakes earned a point for an overtime loss for the second straight game in a 4-3 overtime decision to the Pee Dee Cyclones. Tim Green scored a pair of goals for the second straight game as well. Ryan Rutz lit the lamp for a goal as well. Chad Rycroft earned the regulation tie and overtime loss in net as he faced a season-high 49 shots on goal, stopping 45 of them. Kevin Schieve stopped 26 of 29 in goal for the Cyclones. The Snakes were 0 for 6 on the power play while Pee Dee went 1 for 7 with the man advantage.

Saturday, November 12 - Columbus 5 at Jacksonville 0 (Attendance: 2,840)

The Cottonmouths picked up the first shutout in the SPHL this season on Saturday night in a 5-0 blanking of the Jacksonville Barracudas. Four of the five goals were scored on the power play including a three-goal offensive outburst in the span of 3:29 in the third period. Five different Cottonmouths - Tylor Keller, Ryan Rutz, Mat Ponto, Tim Green, and Orrin Hergott - all scored a goal apiece. Green exploded for a four-point night off a goal and three assists. Chad Rycroft stopped all 22 shots on goal he faced as the Snakes turned things around from the previous night and had the upper hand in shots, outshooting the Barracudas 45-22. Pat Berrigan stopped 40 of the 45 shots he faced between the pipes for Jacksonville. The Snakes were 4 for 12 on the power play, including scoring on three of seven chances in the third period, while holding the Barracudas scoreless in their six power play opportunities.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. F Tim Green - Green has continued his perfect streak of scoring in every Cottonmouths game to date this season. He enjoyed a seven-point weekend with two goals and an assist on Friday night in Pee Dee and a goal and three helpers Saturday night in Jacksonville.

2. G Chad Rycroft - After stopping 45 of 49 in the overtime loss to Pee Dee on Friday night, Rycroft picked up the first shutout in the league this season and the second of his career with a 22-save shutout in Jacksonville on Saturday night.

3. F Tylor Keller - Keller added five points to his season totals over the weekend, notching three assists Friday night in Pee Dee and a goal and assist Saturday night in Jacksonville.

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