Snakes go unbeaten on week

Published on March 22, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. – The Columbus Cottonmouths went 1-0-2 over the past week, losing two straight shootouts at Louisiana on Wednesday and home against Greenville on Friday but doubling up Florence 6-3 on Saturday at the Snake Pit. Earning four points out of a possible six in the three games this past week, Columbus remains in fifth place in the ECHL's Central Division, two points out of a playoff spot currently held by fourth-place Gwinnett and four points behind third-place Pensacola. The Central Division features March Madness of its own as four teams in the division, including Columbus, are fighting for the final three playoff spots in the division, as Louisiana has already clinched a playoff berth. Gwinnett has one game in hand on the Snakes and Pensacola has played an even number of games as the Cottonmouths. Pensacola and Columbus face off in a crucial game in Pensacola on Friday night.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 1-0-2
Record: 35-23-7 (5th place, Central Division)
196 GF, 172 GA
14.4% PP (25th, ECHL); 88.8% PK (1st, ECHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

none

UPCOMING GAMES

Friday, March 26 – Columbus at Pensacola, 8:05 PM EST

The Cottonmouths face the Pensacola Ice Pilots for the for the fifth time this season but the first since a 4-1 Pensacola win at the Snake Pit on November 21. The Snakes are 1-3-0 against the Ice Pilots on the season and will face Pensacola one more time in the regular-season finale at home on April 3.

Saturday, March 27 – South Carolina at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST

The Snakes return home on Saturday night to face the South Carolina Stingrays, the final game of the regular season not involving a Central Division team. The Cottonmouths are 2-1-1 against the Stingrays this season, the last meeting a 3-1 victory in Columbus on February 21.

Sunday, March 28 – Columbus at Mississippi, 5:05 PM EST

The Cottonmouths travel to Biloxi, Miss. to face the second-place Mississippi Sea Wolves on Sunday afternoon, the first of a home-and-home series with the ‘Wolves. Mississippi will travel to Columbus on Tuesday, March 30 to face the Snakes. Columbus is 2-4-1 against the Sea Wolves on the season, the last meeting a 4-3 shootout loss in the Snake Pit on January 27.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Wednesday, March 17 – Columbus 0 at Louisiana 1 (SO)

Goaltenders Derek Gustafson of Louisiana and Jason Tapp of Columbus stood eye-to-eye in regulation and overtime, each turning back all 30 shots they faced. In the shootout, Ryan Risidore and John Morlang would solve Gustafson but three Louisiana shooters would put the puck in the net past Tapp en route to taking the extra point in the shootout. Both teams were scoreless on the power play with Columbus have five chances and Louisiana six. Both Gustafson and Tapp picked up their fifth shutout of the season for the 0-0 regulation score, tying both of them for the league lead in shutouts. The Snakes finished the season series 3-4-1 against the IceGators.

Friday, March 19 – Greenville 2 at Columbus 1 (SO)

Fresh off an ECHL record 65-save performance by Daniel Boisclair, the Greenville Grrrowl went with their other goaltender, Michel Robinson, who performed almost equally as spectacular. Robinson turned aside 58 of 59 Snakes shots on goal, a Columbus hockey record, and allowed only a Christian Larrivee goal in the shootout to earn the extra point in a 2-1 victory, the first win for the Grrrowl against the Cottonmouths all season. Carlyle Lewis scored the lone goal for the Snakes on the power play, who were 1 for 6 on the man advantage. Greenville was held scoreless in their five chances on the power play. Jason Tapp stopped 16 of 17 shots in regulation for the Snakes, who finished 5-0-1 against Greenville on the season.

Saturday, March 20 – Florence 3 at Columbus 6

Eleven different Cottonmouths picked up at least a point, led by Christian Larrivee with three assists, as the Snakes doubled up the Pride 6-3 to finish the season series 6-1-0 against Florence. Special teams were the story for the Snakes as they scored two goals on the power play (Ray DiLauro and Colin Pepperall) and two shorthanded (John Morlang and Matt Shasby). Mitch Fritz and Carlyle Lewis scored the other two goals at even strength, and Lewis's goal gave him the team lead with 20 goals on the season. Sebastian LaPlante took the loss in net for the Pride, stopping 43 of 49 shots on goal. Jason Tapp got the win for the Cottonmouths, making 23 saves on 26 shots. The Snakes were 2 for 3 on the power play while holding Florence scoreless in seven chances.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. Carlyle Lewis, F – The only Cottonmouth to score in both games, Lewis scored a power-play goal on Friday and scored his team-high 20th of the season on Saturday.

2. John Morlang, F – Morlang scored in the shootout on Wednesday and had a shorthanded game-winning goal and an assist on Saturday.

3. Christian Larrivee, F – Larrivee had a big night on Saturday with three assists and finishing +2.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from March 22, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central