Snakes slither into second

Published on January 31, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths swept all three games over the past week with victories over Huntsville, Jacksonville, and Florida. The wins put the Cottonmouths in sole possession of second place in the SPHL standings, two points ahead of third-place Fayetteville and three points behind first-place Knoxville. The Snakes travel to Knoxville to face the Ice Bears this Saturday in a clash of the top two teams in the SPHL, the only game on the schedule for Columbus this week.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 3-0-0
Record: 23-11-3, 49 points (2nd, SPHL)
152 GF, 124 GA
21.2% PP (3rd, SPHL); 82.9% PK (1st, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

01/27 - D Tom Wilson placed on league suspension (3 games)

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Saturday, February 4 - Columbus at Knoxville, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. KNX: 2-2-1)

Columbus returns to the scene where their 11-game winning streak was snapped on January 12 against the Knoxville Ice Bears. In that game, the Ice Bears beat the Snakes 8-2, the most goals allowed to an opponent all season. The Snakes are 0-4-1 all-time in Knoxville in the regular season but win when it counts as they emerged victorious in the only playoff contest between the two teams in Knoxville last season. This time, the Cottonmouths come in riding a five-game winning streak, looking to extend to six while snapping the Ice Bears' three-game winning streak of their own. The two teams will face each other twice more in the month of February with a Valentine's Day date in Columbus and a February 19 matchup in Tennessee.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Thursday, January 26 - Huntsville 2 at Columbus 4 (Attendance: 2,720)

The Cottonmouths won their fourth straight decision over the Huntsville Havoc with a 4-2 victory on Thursday night. Thursday was the "Ryan Show" as Ryan Aikia, Ryan Haggarty, and Ryan Rutz all scored a goal for the Snakes, with Lorne Misita scoring the other goal. Both teams were scoreless on the power play with Columbus having six chances and Huntsville having nine chances with the man advantage. Chad Rycroft continued his hot streak in goal, stopping 34 of 36 in the victory. Jomar Cruz had 24 saves on 28 shots for Huntsville.

Friday, January 27 - Jacksonville 1 at Columbus 8 (Attendance: 3,584)

Columbus picked up their fifth game in six this season over the Jacksonville Barracudas on Friday night via an 8-1 win. The eight goals marked a season high in a single game for the Cottonmouths. Eight different Snakes - Christian Gagnon, Tim Green, Ryan Haggarty, Orrin Hergott, Tylor Keller, Ryan Rutz, Craig Stahl, and Avery Wilson - all lit the lamp. Chad Rycroft again was brilliant between the pipes for the Snakes, stopping 30 of 31. Jacob Miskovic had 11 saves on 14 shots in the first period for the Barracudas before being pulled in favor of Mykola Voroshnov in the final two frames, who turned away 22 of 27. Columbus was 2 for 5 on the power play while holding Jacksonville scoreless in their four chances.

Saturday, January 28 - Florida 4 at Columbus 5 (Attendance: 4,607)

The Snakes battled back from a 3-1 deficit midway through the game for a 5-4 win over the Florida Seals on Saturday night. Tim Green led the way with the first goal for the Snakes and the final game-winning goal of the contest. Orrin Hergott, Tom McMonagle, and Lorne Misita also scored for Columbus. The Snakes' power play was red-hot as they were 3 for 7 with the man advantage. The Seals were 1 for 5 on the power play. Chad Rycroft picked up his fifth straight win with 23 saves on 27 shots. Andy Joy made his pro debut between the pipes for Florida with a 24-save effort on 29 shots. The win marked the 13th straight victory for the Snakes at home, tying Fayetteville for the league high this season.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. F Tim Green - Green enjoyed a six-point weekend with three goals and three assists.
2. F Orrin Hergott - Hergott continued the hot hand from last weekend, when he skated his first game since returning from injured reserve. He tallied two goals and added three assists on the week.
3. D Ryan Aikia - Aikia tallied a goal and four assists over the week of games.

Don't forget about the upcoming Tip-A-Snake night, coming on February 16th. The Cottonmouths have teamed up with TIC Federal Credit Union again to help raise money for the Children's Miracle Network.

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