Snakes Return To Winning Ways; Two Points Out Of First

Published on December 11, 2007 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths rebounded nicely this past weekend, snapping a six-game winless streak in a big way with a two-game sweep over the visiting Richmond Renegades in the Snake Pit. With the four standing points earned, Columbus is currently third in the SPHL standings, two points behind Fayetteville and Knoxville, who are tied for the top spot in the league. The Snakes look to continue their winning ways this coming weekend with three games in three days. Friday night, Columbus travels to Huntsville to take on the struggling Havoc; on Saturday night, the Twin City Cyclones visit the Snake Pit for the second time this season; and the Jacksonville Barracudas face the Snakes in a Sunday afternoon matinee in Columbus. All three games will be broadcast via Penn Atlantic with both a video and audio feed. There is a nominal fee associated with each game; details can be found at www.thesphl.tv. In addition, the games will be aired live on WEAM 1580 AM "The Zone" in the Columbus area, with Mike Vee providing the play-by-play action, with a free simulcast of the radio broadcast on the Internet via Live365. Links to the Internet broadcast are available on the Cottonmouths' homepage, www.cottonmouths.com.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 2-0-0

Record: 8-6-2, 18 points (3rd Place, SPHL)

51 GF, 59 GA

17.7% PP (6th, SPHL); 81.9% PK (2nd, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

12/7 - Signed F Ryan McCarthy to five-game tryout

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Friday, December 14 - Columbus at Huntsville, 8:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. HSV: 1-1-1)

The Cottonmouths make their second visit this season to Huntsville's Von Braun Center on Friday night to take on the Havoc. Huntsville is currently in last place in the SPHL standings and is mired in a four-game losing streak, with their last win coming in a 10-2 victory in Columbus on November 24. Huntsville made a substantial roster move this past weekend in signing defenseman Jonathan Lounsbury, who played for the Havoc each of the last two seasons. Lounsbury led all SPHL defensemen last season with 48 points off four goals and 44 assists, with 27 of those points (2G, 25A) coming on the power play. While the acquisition of Lounsbury is sure to bolster the Havoc's power play, which already is tops in the SPHL this season, their penalty kill is ranked next to last in the league.

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UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS (cont'd)

Saturday, December 15 - Twin City at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. TC: 0-1-0)

PROMOTIONS: "Cowboy Night"...pick up an upper level ticket for $2 off by wearing a cowboy hat; first 800 fans receive a free hat courtesy of Pocket Change Collectables; also, season ticket holders receive an extra 10% off merchandise at the Cottonmouths Store for that last-minute Christmas shopping!

The Twin City Cyclones visit Columbus for the second time this season on Saturday night. While Huntsville hasn't won since their victory in the Snake Pit last month, the Cyclones haven't lost since defeating the Snakes on November 23rd in Columbus and are riding a four-game winning streak into this week's action. Saturday's game will be the third in three nights for Twin City as they face Fayetteville and Richmond at home on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Sunday, December 16 - Jacksonville at Columbus, 4:00 PM EST (Season Series vs. JAX: 2-1-0)

PROMOTIONS: Georgia Lottery Day...first 500 fans 18 and over receive a free scratch-off ticket.

The Jacksonville Barracudas visit the Snake Pit on Sunday afternoon, their first time back since a thrilling 2-1 shootout victory for the Snakes over the 'Cudas on November 16. The other two games in the season series to date have been shutouts in Jacksonville, with the Cottonmouths blanking Jacksonville 2-0 on November 3 and the Barracudas returning the favor in a 4-0 win on November 15. The two games remain the only two shutouts in the SPHL to date.

Also...Cottonmouths players featured on the second set of player cards given out at last Saturday's home game will be at Hollywood Connection on Tuesday, December 11 at 6 PM for autographs.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, December 7 - Richmond 3 at Columbus 5 (Attendance: 2,682)

Brennen Francon's pair of third-period goals provided the difference on Friday night as the Snakes snapped their SPHL franchise-high six game losing skid, defeating Richmond 5-3 in the Snake Pit. Orrin Hergott and Ryan Rutz scored once each while Dan Leslie notched his first professional goal as well. Ian Vigier had a busy night between the pipes for the Snakes, turning away 38 of 41 shots on goal. The power play for Columbus came to life, making good on three of their five chances. Richmond was 1 for 3 with the man advantage.

Saturday, December 8 - Richmond 2 at Columbus 5 (Attendance: 2,764)

Two more first-year players notched their first professional goals on Saturday night as defenseman Darren Noskey and forward Ryan McCarthy, playing in just his second game for the Snakes, both lit the lamp in a 5-2 win over Richmond. Brennen Francon and Ryan Rutz scored a goal each for the second straight night while Jason Price notched a goal as well. Nathan Heinen started the game in goal for the Cottonmouths, stopping all 16 shots he faced before suffering an injury early in the second period. He was replaced by Ian Vigier, who went on to stop 16 of the 18 shots he faced for Columbus. Both teams were scoreless in four chances on the power play for the night.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. F Brennen Francon - Francon had a five-point weekend, scoring a goal in each contest and adding an assist on Friday and two on Saturday.

2. F Ryan Rutz - Rutz scored a goal in each game over the weekend and also had an assist in Friday's game.

3. D Daryl Moor - With the Snakes shorthanded on the blue line, Moor stepped back from his usual forward position to play defense and has excelled, notching two assists on Friday and adding a helper on Saturday.

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