Snakes split weekend games

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


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths opened their third season in the SPHL in stunning fashion, defeating the Pee Dee Cyclones 5-2 at the Snake Pit on Friday night. On Saturday, however, the Snakes would meet a different fate on the road in Fayetteville, N.C. as the home FireAntz defeated Columbus 8-3. The loss in Fayetteville continues a trend the Snakes have had since joining the SPHL; in all three seasons of the Cottonmouths' existence in the league, they have lost both their second game overall and their first game on the road.

This week features a home-and-home series that will reacquaint Columbus with the rival Huntsville Havoc, the team that eliminated the Snakes from playoff contention last season. The series opens with a game in the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Ala. at 8:30 PM EST on Saturday, with the two teams meeting again in a 4:00 PM EST matinee on Sunday in the Snake Pit. Both games this weekend as well as all games during the upcoming season will be aired on ESPN Sports Radio 1580 AM, "The Zone," with Mike Vee handling all the play-by-play action. The games will also be aired on the Internet with both a live audio and video stream. Details of the Internet stream are pending; a link to the webcast will be available on the Cottonmouths' website at http://www.cottonmouths.com.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS
Last Week: 1-1-0
Record: 1-1-0, 2 points (T-3rd, SPHL)
8 GF, 10 GA
14.3% PP (4th, SPHL); 76.0% PK (8th, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS
10/28 - SPHL placed D Jeff Moor on league suspension

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS
Saturday, November 4 - Columbus at Huntsville, 8:30 PM EST (Last Season vs. HSV: 6-4-2)
The Snakes travel to the "Rocket City" of Huntsville, Ala. on Saturday night in search of their first road victory of the season. The Cottonmouths were 6-4-2 against the Havoc last season and 2-3-1 against them in Huntsville. The Havoc return many familiar faces, including last season's Most Valuable Player of the league between the pipes in Matt Carmichael, their leading scorers in Bill Monkman and James Patterson, and the SPHL's leader in penalty minutes last season in Luke Phillips.

Sunday, November 5 - Huntsville at Columbus, 4:00 PM EST
PROMOTIONS: *Firefighter Appreciation Day - All firefighters who show their badge at the box office will receive an upper level ticket for only $8.00.
The Snakes play their first of two Sunday home games this weekend in the back end of the home-and-home weekend with the Havoc. (The other Sunday home game will be February 18, 2007 vs. Knoxville.) After Sunday, the Cottonmouths will not return to the Snake Pit for 12 days as they will play both games next week on the road at Pee Dee and Florida.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW
Friday, October 27 - Pee Dee 2 at Columbus 5 (Attendance: 4,189)
The Snakes jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period and never looked back en route to a 5-2 win over the Pee Dee Cyclones on Friday night. Orrin Hergott led the way on offense, scoring two goals, including the game-winner. Mike McIlveen had a breakout first professional game, scoring a goal and adding two assists. Ryan Haggarty and Lorne Misita were the other two multiple-point men as Haggarty scored a goal and added an assist while Misita notched two helpers. Craig Stahl added a shorthanded goal as well while Andrew Dwyer and Mark Prentice notched an assist apiece. Chad Rycroft picked up the win between the pipes, stopping 23 of 25 shots. Columbus had a 40-25 advantage in the shots on goal department and was 1 for 11 on the power play while killing 4 of 5 Cyclones chances with the man advantage.

Saturday, October 28 - Columbus 3 at Fayetteville 8 (Attendance: 2,985)
The Fayetteville FireAntz broke open a 3-3 tie late in the second period with five unanswered goals and won going away 8-3 on Saturday night. Ryan Rutz lit the lamp twice for Columbus while Mark Prentice scored a goal for the Cottonmouths as well. Steve Howard had a two-assist night for the Snakes, while Tylor Keller, Daryl Moor, and Craig Stahl had an assist each. Ryan Senft took the loss in net for the Snakes, turning away 35 of the 43 shots he faced. Fayetteville outshot Columbus 43-35 and also had a big advantage in the power play department, scoring five goals in a whopping 20 opportunities with the man advantage. The Cottonmouths scored twice in their ten power play chances.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK
1. F Mike McIlveen - In his professional debut on Friday night, McIlveen enjoyed a three-point night, notching the first goal for the Snakes this season and adding two assists as well.

2. F Orrin Hergott - Hergott notched a pair of goals on Friday night against Pee Dee, including the game-winner.

3. F Ryan Rutz - Rutz continued his goal-scoring touch that saw him finish tied for second in the SPHL in goals scored last season, scoring twice on Saturday night in Fayetteville.

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