Snakes go unbeaten in regulation in two weekend games

Published on December 6, 2005 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths picked up three of a possible four points in two games over the past weekend. On Friday night, the Snakes visited the Knoxville Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, Tenn. for the first time this season, falling to the hometown Ice Bears 5-4 in overtime after holding a 4-1 lead midway through the contest. On Saturday night, the Snakes scored a season-high six goals in a 6-2 rout of the Pee Dee Cyclones in Florence, S.C. Columbus will spend the beginning of the coming weekend in the Sunshine State with games at Florida on Friday and at Jacksonville on Saturday. Both the Snakes and Barracudas travel to Columbus to finish the home-and-home series on Sunday afternoon. In addition to airing on the Internet via Live365, Friday's game will be simulcast live in the Columbus area on WCJM "The Bull," 100.9 FM. Catch all the action from the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla. on Friday night beginning at 7:30 PM EST. The "Voice of the Snakes" Dana Barker will bring the play-by-play live and also host the "Fourth Period Show" after the game. 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: 5-7-3, 13 points (T-6th, SPHL)
51 GF, 55 GA
15.7% PP (7th, SPHL); 78.2% PK (6th, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS
none

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS
Friday, December 9 - Columbus at Florida, 7:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. FLA: 1-1-0)
The Snakes tangle with the red-hot Florida Seals on Friday night in Kissimmee, Fla. The Seals are 6-1-0 in their last seven games and have jumped to third place in the SPHL standings; however, Florida's one loss in their last seven came against the Cottonmouths in a 4-3 game in Columbus on November 25. In fact, both meetings this season between Columbus and Florida have been one-goal contests, with the Snakes also falling to the Seals 3-2 at the Silver Spurs Arena on November 26.

Saturday, December 10 - Columbus at Jacksonville, 7:05 PM EST (Season Series vs. JAX: 1-1-0)
The Cottonmouths stay in Florida on Saturday night to take on the Jacksonville Barracudas. After falling to the Barracudas 4-2 on October 28, the Snakes shut out Jacksonville 5-0 in the next meeting between the teams on November 12. The Barracudas are going in the opposite direction of the Seals in the standings as they are 2-7-1 in their last ten games and are currently tied with Columbus for sixth place in the league; however, the Snakes have two games in hand on Jacksonville.

Sunday, December 11 - Jacksonville at Columbus, 4:00 PM EST
The Snakes return home for the first time in 16 days on Sunday afternoon to take on the Barracudas on the back end of the home-and-home series. The Cottonmouths are also sponsoring a toy drive on Sunday with all proceeds going to underprivileged children in the Columbus area.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, December 2 - Columbus 4 at Knoxville 5 (OT) (Attendance: 3,849)
Tom McMonagle and Tylor Keller helped the Snakes storm out of the gate by each scoring goals in the first 58 seconds of the contest to give Columbus a 2-0 lead over the stunned Knoxville Ice Bears on Friday night. Christian Gagnon chipped in with his first professional goal on the power play at the 8:20 mark of the game to give the Snakes a 3-0 lead. The Snakes had a three-goal lead again as Keller notched his second goal of the night on a power play at 4:24 of the second period. However, that would be the last time the Snakes would find the back of the Knoxville net as the Ice Bears charged back with three unanswered goals in regulation and a Jason Bermingham game-winner 32 seconds into the extra session en route to a 5-4 overtime loss for Columbus. The Ice Bears' power play continued to excel against Columbus, going 3 for 8 in the game. The Cottonmouths also cashed in on the power play as they were 2 for 6 with the man advantage. Chad Rycroft stopped 28 of 33 between the pipes for Columbus as Jamie Ronayne settled down to stop 35 of 39 in goal for the Ice Bears after allowing goals on the first two Cottonmouths shots on goal.

Saturday, December 3 - Columbus 6 at Pee Dee 2 (Attendance: 1,360)
Lorne Misita scored his first goal since returning to the team two weeks ago to get the offense started for the Snakes on Saturday night in Florence, S.C. Tim Green, Ryan Rutz, and Orrin Hergott all added goals in the first half of the second period, and Green and Tom McMonagle lit the lamp in the third period en route to a 6-2 rout over the hometown Cyclones. Despite not scoring in the game, Tylor Keller notched his second straight three-point game with three assists in the contest. The Snakes and Cyclones each scored once on the power play with Columbus having six chances and Pee Dee eight. Ryan Senft stopped the only shot he faced in the first period before suffering a minor injury. Chad Rycroft spelled Senft, stopping 45 of 47. Mark Cairns suffered the loss in net for Pee Dee with 40 saves on 46 shots.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK
1. F Tylor Keller - Keller had six points in two games with two goals and a helper Friday night in Knoxville and three assists Saturday night in Pee Dee.
2. F Ryan Rutz - Rutz also had a three-point night in Knoxville on Friday with three assists and scored the game-winner in Saturday's game against Pee Dee.
3. F Tom McMonagle - McMonagle scored the first goal of the game 22 seconds in on Friday night, had a goal and assist Saturday night, and was a combined +4 over the two weekend games.

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