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Snakes In Three-Team Fight For Fourth

February 23, 2009 - SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths played four games in five nights over the past week, going 1-2-1 over that stretch. Each game was a one-goal contest with identical 4-3 losses in regulation at home on Tuesday to Twin City and Thursday to Huntsville. On Friday night, the Snakes won a fight-filled contest 4-3 in Winston-Salem over the Cyclones, and on Saturday night, with just 11 skaters as a result of suspensions from the Friday night fights, Columbus lost 6-5 to Twin City on the road as well. This week features three games in three nights as the Cottonmouths travel to Knoxville on Thursday night to face the Ice Bears and then have another back-to-back series on Friday and Saturday, this time at home against the Richmond Renegades. All Cottonmouth games as well as all other SPHL matchups are broadcast live via B2 Networks with both a video and audio feed. There is a nominal fee associated with each game; details can be found at www.cottonmouths.com. In addition, away games are aired live in the Columbus area on WEAM 1580 AM "The Zone," with Mike Vee providing the play-by-play.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 1-2-1

Record: 22-22-5, 49 points (6th Place, SPHL)

151 GF, 167 GA

16.7% PP (6th, SPHL); 84.4% PK (1st, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

2/21 - SPHL suspended F Dan Leslie 1 game, F Ryan McCarthy 3 games, and G Chad Rycroft and F Craig Stahl 5 games each.

2/21 - Signed G Geoff Beauparlant as emergency backup goaltender

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Thursday, February 26 - Columbus at Knoxville, 7:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. KNX: 5-6-1)

The Snakes travel to Tennessee on Thursday night to take on the league-leading Knoxville Ice Bears. The Knoxville Civic Coliseum has been a historically tough place to play for the Snakes, and they are 0-4-1 there so far this season. However, the two teams battled into overtime the last time the Cottonmouths visited Knoxville on February 8, with the Ice Bears finally taking the extra standing point in the extra session.

Friday/Saturday, February 27/28 - Richmond at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. RMD: 3-3-1)

The Richmond Renegades head to the Snake Pit for a weekend series on Friday and Saturday nights. This marks the final time the two teams face each other in the regular season. The Renegades have taken two of the three meetings against the Cottonmouths so far this season in Columbus, with the Snakes going 2-1-1 on the Renegades' home ice.

PROMOTIONS: Friday is the annual Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are asked to bring a stuffed animal to throw on the ice when the Snakes score their first goal. Stuffed animals will be given to children who have been injured in tragic incidents. Friday is also Guns and Hoses-Public Safety Appreciation Night. Help us pay tribute to Columbus' Police and Fire Departments. Saturday is the replica jersey giveaway to the first 1,000 fans, sponsored by the Columbus Civic Center. Be sure to get here early, gates open at 6:30 p.m.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, February 17 - Twin City 4 at Columbus 3 (Attendance: 1,753)

Goals by Tyler Johnson, Ryan McCarthy, and Craig Stahl weren't enough on Tuesday night as the Cottonmouths fell to the Twin City Cyclones by a 4-3 margin at the Snake Pit on Tuesday night. Goaltender Terry Dunbar had a busy night in net for the Cyclones, turning away 43 of 46 Columbus shots on goal for the win. Chad Rycroft stopped 28 of 32 in net for the Snakes in the loss. The Cyclones were 0 for 4 on the power play while the Cottonmouths were 1 for 8 with the man advantage.

Thursday, February 19 - Huntsville 4 at Columbus 3 (Attendance: 1,639)

Ryan McCarthy scored his second goal in as many nights and Tim Green notched a pair of goals, but the Snakes fell to the Huntsville Havoc 4-3 on Thursday night. Ian Vigier was the goaltender saddled with the loss this time for Columbus as he stopped 33 of 37 shots on goal. Tim Haun made 36 saves on 39 Columbus shots for the win in net for the Havoc. Both teams had one goal on the power play as Huntsville had three chances with the man advantage and Columbus seven.

Friday, February 20 - Columbus 4 at Twin City 3 (Attendance: 1,248)

For the first time in three nights, the Snakes came out on the positive end of a 4-3 decision, defeating the Twin City Cyclones in Winston-Salem, N.C. Twin City held a 2-0 lead late in the second period when multiple fights broke out on the ice, leading to a total of 139 penalty minutes being dished out in one stoppage. The fisticuffs seemed to ignite the Snakes as they scored the next four unanswered goals. Sam Bowles, Orrin Hergott, Tyler Johnson, and Ryan McCarthy all scored for Columbus. Ian Vigier picked up the win between the pipes for Columbus, stopping 22 of 25, while Terry Dunbar took the loss in net for the Cyclones with 32 saves on 36 shots. Both teams had six power play chances with Columbus converting on three of theirs and Twin City one.

Saturday, February 21 - Columbus 5 at Twin City 6 (OT) (Attendance: 1,123)

Playing with only eleven skaters as a result of suspensions from Friday night's altercations and with an emergency backup goaltender in assistant coach Geoff Beauparlant, the Snakes admirably managed to pick up a standing point for the regulation tie in a 6-5 overtime loss to Twin City Saturday night. Tim Green led the way with two goals on the night, with Kyle Lundale, Lorne Misita, and Mat Ponto logging a goal each. Ian Vigier stopped 18 of 24 shots in net for Columbus, playing in his third game in three nights. Terry Dunbar picked up his second win of the week against Columbus with 42 saves on 47 shots on goal. Columbus was 2 for 11 on the power play while holding the Cyclones scoreless in their three chances.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. F Tim Green - Green notched four goals on the week with a pair each on Thursday and Saturday.

2. F Sam Bowles - Bowles scored at least a point in each of the four games played over the past week, collecting a goal and five assists in all.

3. F Ryan McCarthy - McCarthy picked up a goal in each game he played over the week before being suspended from Saturday's game at Twin City.



SPHL Stories from February 23, 2009


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.

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