Snakes play three one-goal games, win two

November 29, 2005 - SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths played three exciting one-goal games over the past week, winning in overtime on Thanksgiving night over Knoxville and in regulation on Friday night over Florida before dropping the second half of the home-and-home to the Seals in Kissimmee, Fla. on Saturday night. Columbus continues their stretch away from the Snake Pit this week with games on the road at Knoxville on Friday night and at Pee Dee on Saturday night. 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 Knoxville Civic Coliseum on Friday night beginning at 7:25 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: 2-1-0
Record: 4-7-2, 10 points (7th, SPHL)
41 GF, 48 GA
14.4% PP (7th, SPHL); 78.9% PK (5th, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS
11/25 - Signed F Lorne Misita to five-game tryout

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Friday, December 2 - Columbus at Knoxville, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. KNX: 1-1-0)
The Snakes travel to Knoxville, Tenn. for the first time this season on Friday night. Columbus was 0-3-0 in Knoxville in the regular season last year but won a pivotal playoff game there in the postseason, helping the Cottonmouths eliminate the Ice Bears in last year's SPHL semifinal series between the two teams.

Saturday, December 3 - Columbus at Pee Dee, 7:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. PD: 1-0-1)
The Cottonmouths travel across the Carolinas from Knoxville to Florence, S.C. to face the Pee Dee Cyclones on Saturday night. Neither game between the two teams so far this season has been decided after 60 minutes, as the Snakes fell to the Cyclones in overtime in Florence on November 11 and defeated them at home in a shootout on November 19.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Thursday, November 24 - Knoxville 5 at Columbus 6 (OT) (Attendance: 2,271)
Mat Ponto's overtime game-winner sealed a dramatic overtime win for the Snakes over the Knoxville Ice Bears on Thanksgiving night at the Snake Pit. Ryan Rutz scored two goals in regulation while Tim Green, Ryan Haggarty, and Orrin Hergott notched a goal apiece. Chad Rycroft stopped 27 of 32 in the winning effort while Ryan Person of Knoxville stopped 33 of 39 in the overtime loss. Knoxville was a perfect 2 for 2 on the power play while the Snakes were 1 for 5.

Friday, November 25 - Florida 3 at Columbus 4 (Attendance: 2,522)
The Cottonmouths defeated the Florida Seals in the first-ever meeting between the two teams on Friday night. Tom McMonagle scored a pair of goals while Orrin Hergott and Ryan Rutz tallied a goal each. Playing in his first game since being signed by the Snakes, Lorne Misita contributed three big assists. Chad Rycroft turned in one of his best performances of the season in stopping 39 of 42, while Florida's Terry Denike took the loss for the Seals between the pipes with 24 saves on 28 shots. The Snakes were 1 for 4 on the power play while holding Florida scoreless in their five chances.

Saturday, November 26 - Columbus 2 at Florida 3 (Attendance: 1,557)
The Florida Seals scored two goals in the second period off the stick of Steve Zoryk to battle back from a 2-1 first period deficit and pick up the weekend split with the Cottonmouths. Orrin Hergott and Ryan Rutz continued their goal-scoring streaks with a goal each. Ryan Senft got the nod in net for Columbus, stopping 22 of 25 in the loss. Terry Denike avenged his loss the previous night for Florida with a 42-save effort for the Seals on 44 Columbus shots on goal. Both teams were scoreless on the power play with the Snakes having three chances and the Seals four.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK
1. F Ryan Rutz - Rutz continued with the hot hand as of late with four goals over the weekend.
2. F Tom McMonagle - McMonagle picked up a pair of helpers on Thursday night against Knoxville and scored two goals and an assist against Florida on Friday night.
3. F Orrin Hergott - Hergott continued his recent offensive pace, scoring a goal in each of the three contests last week.



SPHL Stories from November 29, 2005


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