Snakes still in second, home streak falls

Published on February 27, 2006 under SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths took two out of three of the past week's games, sweeping a home-and-home series with the Jacksonville Barracudas on Thursday night in Columbus and Friday night in Jacksonville but falling to the Florida Seals at home on February 25. The home loss snapped the Cottonmouths' SPHL-record 17-game home winning streak and was the first loss on home ice since November 20. The Snakes look to begin a new streak this week with games Tuesday against Pee Dee and Friday against Jacksonville before heading to Kissimmee, Fla. on Saturday night looking to return the favor against the Florida Seals in their home building. Saturday's game will be aired live on WCJM 100.9 FM with the "Voice of the Snakes" Dana Barker bringing you all the action from the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla. The "Fourth Period Show" will air at the conclusion of Saturday night's game, where fans can call 706.645.2991 with questions or comments.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 2-1-0

Record: 28-15-4, 60 points (2nd, SPHL)

192 GF, 160 GA

19.7% PP (4th, SPHL); 82.7% PK (3rd, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

2/22 - D Mat Ponto returned from Toledo (ECHL)

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Tuesday, February 28 - Pee Dee at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. PD: 3-1-1)

The Snakes entertain the Pee Dee Cyclones for the first time in the Snake Pit since December 22. Columbus fell to the Cyclones 6-5 in the last meeting between the two teams on January 13 in Florence, S.C. The Snakes and Cyclones will battle twice more in the regular season with games on March 9 in Florence and the last regular-season game for both teams on March 18 in the Snake Pit.

Friday, March 3 - Jacksonville at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. JAX: 7-2-0)

Columbus will host the Jacksonville Barracudas on Friday night. Any combination of Pee Dee wins and Jacksonville losses that equal six standing points will eliminate the Barracudas from the playoffs. The Cottonmouths have dominated the season series, outscoring Jacksonville 49-26 in the process.

Saturday, March 4 - Columbus at Florida, 7:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. FLA: 6-3-0)

The Snakes and Seals square off on Saturday night in the Silver Spurs Arena for the final time in the regular season. Florida currently holds an SPHL-high six-game winning streak, with all six of those wins coming on the road, an SPHL record for consecutive road wins. Florida currently sits just two points behind third-place Fayetteville with a game in hand on the FireAntz in the race for home ice in the first round of the playoffs.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Thursday, February 23 - Jacksonville 5 at Columbus 10 (Attendance: 1,952)

Those who waited on Thursday night through a nearly hour and a half delay as the visiting Jacksonville Barracudas encountered transportation problems were treated to an offensive showcase. Columbus scored a season-high ten goals in the game and six unanswered to close a 10-5 rout of the Barracudas. Eight different Snakes lit the lamp with Tim Green and Lorne Misita scoring two goals apiece and Mat Ponto, Orrin Hergott, Tom McMonagle, Ryan Aikia, Ryan Rutz, and Brock Johnson each scoring once. Ryan Senft stopped 9 of 12 shots for Columbus before being assessed a game misconduct for fighting with Jacksonville goaltender Zach Sikich. Chad Rycroft finished the game and earned the win with eight saves on ten shots. The Cottonmouths fired a season-high 50 shots at the Jacksonville net with Matt Meacham stopping 34 of 42 and Sikich stopping all six shots he faced. Columbus was 1 for 9 on the power play in the penalty-filled contest while the Barracudas were 1 for 11.

Friday, February 24 - Columbus 6 at Jacksonville 3 (Attendance: 3,119)

For the second straight night, the Snakes set a season high in shots on goal, peppering Jacksonville netminder Matt Meacham with 52 shots in a 6-3 victory. Lorne Misita doubled his scoring from the previous night with a four-goal night, matching Tom McMonagle's season high for goals in a game. Ryan Rutz notched his league-leading 33rd goal of the season while Riley Riddell scored his second marker as a Snake. Chad Rycroft took the win between the pipes for the Cottonmouths with 30 saves on 33 shots. Columbus was 1 for 9 on the power play while holding Jacksonville scoreless in their five chances.

Saturday, February 25 - Florida 3 at Columbus 1 (Attendance: 3,685)

The Florida Seals broke the Snakes' SPHL record 17-game home winning streak on Saturday night while extending their SPHL record road winning streak to six in a 3-1 win. Tom McMonagle scored the lone goal for the Snakes early in the third period with Orrin Hergott picking up an assist. Chad Rycroft suffered his first home loss since opening night against Huntsville with 17 saves on 20 shots. Terry Denike turned away 36 of the 37 shots he faced in net for the Seals. The Snakes were scoreless on the power play with five chances while Florida scored once in their five chances with the man advantage.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. F Lorne Misita - Misita notched six goals in the two games against Jacksonville with two on Thursday and four on Friday.

2. D Mat Ponto - Ponto scored a goal and added two assists with a +4 rating on Thursday in his first game back from the ECHL Toledo Storm. He also scored an assist Friday night in Jacksonville.

3. F Tylor Keller - Keller had four assists on the week including three in Thursday's win over Jacksonville.

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