Snakes Take One Of Three; Play Three Weeks Away From Pit

January 5, 2009 - SPHL (SPHL)
Columbus Cottonmouths News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga. - The Columbus Cottonmouths played three games over the past week, dropping two of them on Tuesday at home against Twin City and Friday on the road at Knoxville before a thrilling comeback victory in a shootout against Fayetteville at the Snake Pit on Saturday. The Cottonmouths have twenty days between home games as they play six straight games away from Columbus against all five of the other teams in the SPHL. The games begin this week with a three games in three nights set in three different cities. The Snakes travel to Twin City on Thursday, Fayetteville on Friday, and Richmond on Saturday. All Cottonmouths 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 action.

CURRENT RECORDS AND STATS

Last Week: 1-2-0

Record: 12-13-3, 27 points (5th Place, SPHL)

78 GF, 89 GA

14.5% PP (6th, SPHL); 84.4% PK (2nd, SPHL)

LAST WEEK'S TRANSACTIONS

12/30 - Signed D Shayne Baylis to three-game tryout

12/30 - Activated F Brad Patterson from IR

1/1 - G Ian Vigier returned from South Carolina (ECHL)

1/1 - G Barney Slayton removed as emergency backup goaltender

UPCOMING GAMES AND PROMOTIONS

Thursday, January 8 - Columbus at Twin City, 7:30 PM EST (Season Series vs. TC: 4-1-0)

The Snakes travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. on Thursday night to face the Twin City Cyclones. The Snakes suffered their first loss to the Cyclones on Tuesday night in a 3-2 decision at the Snake Pit. Columbus is a perfect 3-0-0 in games played in Winston-Salem between the two clubs. The Cyclones are one of the hottest teams in the league currently as they are riding a four-game winning streak into Thursday's contest.

Friday, January 9 - Columbus at Fayetteville, 7:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. FAY: 3-1-1)

The Cottonmouths travel across the state to Fayetteville on Friday to take on the FireAntz. Fayetteville is currently in last place in the SPHL but sit just one point behind Columbus with a game in hand on the Cottonmouths. The Snakes are 2-1-0 so far this season in Fayetteville, the last game being a 6-4 win over the FireAntz on December 26.

Saturday, January 10 - Richmond at Columbus, 7:35 PM EST (Season Series vs. RMD: 2-2-1)

Columbus heads up I-95 on Saturday to take on the Richmond Renegades in Virginia for the final time this season. The Renegades will face the Cottonmouths three more times in Columbus, however. Columbus has a 1-1-1 record so far this season in Richmond. In the last game between the two teams, however, the Snakes scored a season-high seven goals in a 7-2 victory over the Renegades at the Snake Pit on December 20.

COTTONMOUTHS WEEK IN REVIEW

Tuesday, December 30 - Twin City 3 at Columbus 2 (Attendance: 2,465)

Both teams traded goals in Tuesday night's contest, but Twin City was the first and last teams to score en route to a 3-2 victory. The game was bookended by Cyclone goals as they scored just 47 seconds into the contest and scored the game-winning marker with 66 seconds remaining in regulation. Michael George and Craig Stahl scored the goals for Columbus. Chad Rycroft acquitted himself well in the loss, stopping 30 of 33 shots on goal, while Terry Dunbar picked up the win in net for Twin City with a 23-save performance on 25 shots. The game was punctuated by 40 separate penalties and a total of 100 penalty minutes between the two clubs. Twin City was 0 for 5 with the man advantage while Columbus was 2 for 10 on the power play.

Friday, January 2 - Columbus 1 at Knoxville 2 (Attendance: 3,557)

The Cottonmouths remained winless this season in Knoxville as they fell to the Ice Bears 2-1 in Tennessee on Friday night. Ryan Rutz notched the only goal for the Snakes in the contest. Chad Rycroft again played stellar in net for Columbus, turning away 20 of the 22 Knoxville shots on goal he faced. Kirk Irving was even more spectacular in net for Knoxville, however, as he saved 31 of 32 shots on goal, with several point-blank attempts by the Snakes turned away late in the contest. Columbus was 0 for 3 on the power play as Knoxville was 1 for 4 with the man advantage.

Saturday, January 3 - Fayetteville 3 at Columbus 4 (OT) (Attendance: 2,903)

The Snakes spotted Fayetteville a 3-0 lead before scoring four consecutive goals, including the shootout game-winner, in a 4-3 win over the FireAntz. Ryan McCarthy scored two goals, including being credited with a goal for the shootout game-winner. Kyle Lundale and Ryan Rutz scored a goal apiece for the Snakes as well. Both teams were 0 for 2 on the power play. Ian Vigier made 28 saves on 31 shots for Columbus, while Chad Collins stopped 36 of 39 in net for Fayetteville.

THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1. F Ryan McCarthy - McCarthy's two goals helped bolster the Snakes in their come-from-behind win over Fayetteville on Saturday night.

2. F Ryan Rutz - Rutz scored goals on Friday and Saturday night.

3. F Sam Bowles - Bowles assisted on two of the three regulation goals for the Snakes on Saturday night.

- After a loss in his first game of the season against Huntsville on October 24, Rycroft stood tall in stopping 29 of 30 shots in the winning effort against Twin City on Friday night.



SPHL Stories from January 5, 2009


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