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Snakes Take Five Of Possible Six Points Over Last Weekend

February 9, 2009 - SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths collected five out of a possible six standing points in the three games played last weekend, defeating Fayetteville and Knoxville on home ice Friday and Saturday, respectively, and tying Knoxville in regulation before falling to them in overtime Sunday on the road. Despite the Snakes' current position in sixth place in the SPHL, playoff positioning is still very much up for grabs with six weeks left in the regular season. Currently, only eight standing points separate second place and sixth place in the league. The Snakes have another three games in three nights this week as they entertain Fayetteville at home on Thursday and Huntsville on Friday before heading to Huntsville to be the Havoc's date for a Valentine's Day showdown on Saturday. All Cottonmouth games as well as all other SPHL matchups are broadcast live via B2 Networks with both a video and audio feed. There is a nominal fee associated with each game; details can be found at www.cottonmouths.com. In addition, away games are aired live in the Columbus area on WEAM 1580 AM "The Zone," with Mike Vee providing the play-by-play.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 2-0-1

Record: 18-20-4, 40 points (6th Place, SPHL)

124 GF, 144 GA

15.6% PP (6th, SPHL); 83.7% PK (2nd, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

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UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Thursday, February 12 - Fayetteville at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. FAY: 4-3-1)

The Fayetteville FireAntz return to the Snake Pit for the second time in six days on Thursday night. Columbus soundly defeated Fayetteville 4-1 in last Friday's matchup between the two squads. The FireAntz currently sit in fourth place in the SPHL, four points ahead of Columbus with a game in hand on the Snakes. Goaltender Chad Collins has become the workhorse in net for Fayetteville, playing in eight of the Antz' last nine games. Collins is the mark of consistency as he has allowed exactly three goals in each of his last seven starts.

PROMOTIONS: Georgia Lottery Night-first 500 fans, 18+, receive a scratch off lottery ticket. Dollar hotdogs!

Friday, February 13 - Huntsville at Columbus, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. HSV: 1-6-1)

The Cottonmouths take on the Huntsville Havoc Friday night in the Snake Pit in the first of a weekend home-and-home series between the two clubs. The Snakes picked up their first win of the season against the Havoc in the previous meeting between the two teams, a 4-3 overtime win in Columbus on January 30. The Havoc will have newly reacquired goaltender Tim Haun with them over the weekend, who spent the better part of three months with the Fort Wayne Komets in the International Hockey League. Before departing for Fort Wayne, Haun led all SPHL goaltenders in goals-against average and save percentage and was a perfect 4-0-0 against the Snakes.

PROMOTIONS: The Snakes will be wearing and auctioning off special Children's Miracle Network jerseys. A portion of the proceeds will go to CMN. Jerseys will be auctioned immediately following the game. Love's Diamond Exchange will give away a free diamond ring, register at the Fan Activities Center!

Saturday, February 14 - Columbus at Huntsville, 8:35 PM EST

The Snakes and Havoc will play the back end of the home-and-home series at the Von Braun Center on Saturday night. The Havoc are a perfect 5-0-0 in games played against the Snakes in Huntsville. The Cottonmouths will travel to Huntsville twice more in the regular season with games there on March 14 and the final regular-season contest for the Snakes on March 21.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Friday, February 6 - Fayetteville 1 at Columbus 4 (Attendance: 2,152)

Four different Snakes lit the lamp in a 4-1 Columbus victory over the Fayetteville FireAntz on Friday night. Lorne Misita, Brad Patterson, and Mat Ponto notched goals for the Cottonmouths while Sam Bowles added an empty-netter in the game's final 70 seconds. Ian Vigier picked up the win in net for Columbus, turning away 29 of the 30 Fayetteville shots on goal he faced. Chad Collins had 31 saves on 34 shots on goal for the FireAntz. Both teams finished the night 0 for 4 on the power play.

Saturday, February 7 - Knoxville 4 at Columbus 5 (Attendance: 3,487)

A boisterous and enthusiastic crowd witnessed one of the biggest Cottonmouth comebacks in recent memory on Saturday night. The Snakes spotted Knoxville a 4-0 lead before scoring five unanswered goals in the span of a little over 20 minutes, then held on for the 5-4 win over the league-leading Ice Bears. Brad Patterson scored a pair of goals while Sam Bowles scored the game-winning goal and Michael George and Craig Stahl scored once apiece. Tim Green led all scorers despite not lighting the lamp as he assisted on four of the five Columbus markers. Bowles also added a pair of assists for a three-point night. Ian Vigier earned the win in net, stopping 23 of the 27 shots on goal he faced. Kirk Irving took the loss between the pipes for Knoxville with 43 saves on 48 Columbus shots on goal. Columbus was 1 for 5 on the power play while holding the Ice Bears scoreless in their three chances with the man advantage.

Sunday, February 8 - Columbus 3 at Knoxville 4 (OT) (Attendance: 2,694)

Mike George and Kyle Lundale helped carry Saturday's momentum into Sunday's rematch against the Ice Bears in Knoxville, scoring early first period goals to stake Columbus to a 2-0 lead. However, three unanswered Ice Bear goals gave Knoxville the lead before Tim Green scored a third period goal, sending the game to overtime. Mike Carter would score the overtime game-winner with 14 seconds remaining in the extra session, giving himself the hat trick and giving the Ice Bears the extra standing point. Chad Rycroft was in net for the regulation tie, stopping 30 of 34 shots on goal in all. Goaltender Andrew Gallant picked up the win for Knoxville with 36 saves on 39 Columbus shots. The Cottonmouths were 2 for 5 on the power play while the Ice Bears were 1 for 8 with the man advantage.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. F Tim Green - Green finished the week with a total of eight points with a goal and seven assists, four of those coming in the Snakes' comeback victory over Knoxville on Saturday night. For his efforts, the SPHL named Green Player of the Week for the past week.

2. F Sam Bowles - Bowles had a total of five points last week, scoring the game-winner Saturday night and assisting on two others while also scoring a goal and assist in Friday's win over Fayetteville.

3. F Brad Patterson - Patterson picked up points in each game last week with a goal and assist on Friday night, a goal on Saturday night, and an assist on Sunday.

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