Snakes post two comeback wins

December 17, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. – Heading into Friday's action, the Columbus Cottonmouths were winless when trailing a game after two periods of play. After Saturday night's game at Winston-Salem, the Snakes now have two wins when behind after forty minutes. The Cottonmouths came back from a 4-3 deficit in Jacksonville on Friday night to defeat the hometown Barracudas 6-5 and recovered from being down 2-1 after two periods in Winston-Salem to beat the Polar Twins 5-3. The Cottonmouths return to home ice for the first time in five weeks this weekend with games against Fayetteville on Friday night and Asheville on Saturday night. Along with being broadcast on the Internet via Live365, Friday's game will be aired LIVE on WCJM 100.9 FM with Dana Barker, the "Voice of the Snakes," bringing all the action from the Columbus Civic Center beginning at 7:25 PM EST. After the game, the "Fourth Period Show," also hosted by Dana Barker, will air on WCJM. The show features a live call-in segment where fans can call in to 706.645.2991 with questions or comments.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 2-0

Record: 8-5, 16 points (T-4th, SPHL)

49 GF, 45 GA

23.0% PP (3rd, SPHL); 82.7% PK (3rd, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

12/9 – F Lorne Misita recalled to South Carolina (ECHL)

12/9 – F Orrin Hergott returned from South Carolina (ECHL)

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Friday, December 17 – Fayetteville at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series: COL leads 2-1)

THIS GAME WILL BE AIRED LIVE ON WCJM 100.9 FM!

The Cottonmouths play on home ice for the first time in 34 days as they face the Fayetteville FireAntz for the fourth time this season but the first in the Snake Pit. Despite their 7-10 record, the FireAntz boast the league's leading goaltender, Chad Collins, who also has a league-high two shutouts. Columbus defeated Fayetteville 4-2 in their last meeting on December 3.

Saturday, December 18 – Asheville at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series: First Meeting)

The Cottonmouths face the Asheville Aces for the first time this season on Saturday night at the Civic Center. Asheville comes into the Snake Pit with a high-octane offense; the Aces put 11 goals on the board in a game against Winston-Salem last month.

Cottonmouths Top The Tub With Toys For Tots

The Columbus Cottonmouths have teamed with Leisure Lifestyles and the American Red Cross for the 2004 Toys for Tots Christmas Toy Drive. Bring any new, unwrapped toys to Leisure Lifestyles, any Columbus American Red Cross Location, or the Columbus Cottonmouths office by December 21 and receive $3 off any upper level ticket to any of the December home games. Toys that are brought to the December 17th, 18th, or 21st home games will be placed in the Leisure Lifestyles Hot Tub in our effort to TOP THE TUB with TOYS FOR TOTS!

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, December 10 – Columbus 6 at Jacksonville 5 (Attendance: 1,823)

Columbus posted its first comeback victory when trailing after two periods on Friday night with a 6-5 win over the Jacksonville Barracudas. The Snakes tallied three goals in the third period after coming into the final frame trailing 4-3. Ryan Rutz, Tim Green, and Chris Rook all scored in the third period. Ryan Haggarty scored a pair of goals, and Craig Stahl notched the first goal 43 seconds into the game. The Snakes scored a power play goal in six chances while holding Jacksonville scoreless in their four power play opportunities. Chad Rycroft turned away 36 of 41 shots to earn the win in the net for the Snakes, while Mike Brusseau stopped 21 of 27 in the losing effort for the Barracudas.

Saturday, December 11 – Columbus 5 at Winston-Salem 3 (Attendance: 1,437)

The Snakes posted their second comeback victory in as many nights with a 5-3 win over the Winston-Salem Polar Twins on Saturday night. After trailing 2-1 going into the final period, Columbus erupted with a four-goal third period. Tim Green and Cameron Breitkreuz both scored on the power play in the final frame, and Tom McMonagle added another power play tally and an empty-netter to seal the victory for the Cottonmouths. Ryan Rutz also lit the lamp with the Snakes' first goal in the second period. The Cottonmouths notched three power play goals on the night out of five chances, while the Polar Twins were 1 for 8 on the power play. Chad Rycroft picked up the win between the pipes for Columbus with 28 saves on 31 shots. Jomar Cruz stopped 41 of 45 in net for Winston-Salem.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

F Tylor Keller – Despite not scoring a goal in either contest, Keller was the leading scorer for the Snakes over the weekend with five assists – three on Friday night and two on Saturday night. His 15 assists on the season have him in a second-place tie in the SPHL for most assists.

F Tim Green – Green had a four-point weekend with a goal and two assists Friday night in Jacksonville and added a goal Saturday night in Winston-Salem. Green is in a tie for sixth place in the SPHL for most goals with 10.

F Tom McMonagle – McMonagle provided the game-winning goal on the power play in Saturday night's game at Winston-Salem and also added an insurance marker by scoring into an empty net in the same game.



SPHL Stories from December 17, 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