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Special teams lift Cottonmouths over Polar Twins

December 11, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Winston-Salem Polar Twins News Release


[WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.] – Troy Ilijow had a goal and an assist, and Geoff Rollins added a goal and an assist but it wasn't enough as the Columbus Cottonmouths took advantage of a third period breakdown by the Polar Twins to defeat Winston-Salem 5-3 Saturday night in front of a crowd of 1,437 at Joel Coliseum Annex. Jomar Cruz had 41 saves in the losing effort.

Ilijow's second goal in as many games got things started for the Polar Twins. A shot by Steve Lajoie left Columbus goaltender Chad Rycroft scrambling for the rebound which came to Ilijow at the top of the crease for the 1-0 lead.

Winston-Salem grabbed the 2-0 lead on Shaun Aebig's team-leading eighth goal of the season, a power play tally at 10:01 of the second period. Rycroft stopped the shot from the point but Aebig jumped on the rebound and slid the puck low to the glove side for his fourth power play goal, tying him with Graham Dearle for the team lead.

Columbus cut the Polar Twins' lead down to one at 12:42 of the second. Chris Rook fed Ryan Rutz in the left faceoff circle who wristed a shot past Cruz for his fourth goal of the season and a 2-1 game.

The Cottonmouths tied the game at 2:40 of the third period on Tim Green's tenth of the season. The Polar Twins regained the lead just over four minutes later with a four-on-four goal at 6:53 of the period. Rollins took the cross-crease pass from Richard Gustafsson and buried the one-timer for his second of the season. Winston-Salem would hold that lead until two consecutive power plays for the Cottonmouths resulted in two goals within 1:03 of the third to make it 4-3 Columbus. First it was Cameron Breikreuz who tied the game 3-3 at the 15:46 mark. Tom McMonagle followed to put Columbus up 4-3. McMonagle added his second of the night, an empty net goal at 19:00, for the 5-3 final.

The Polar Twins head out on the road for games in Huntsville (Thursday) and Jacksonville (Friday) this week before returning to home ice to face the Macon Trax on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday's game will feature the first ever Polar Twins Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed toy to the game that can be thrown on the ice following the first Polar Twins goal. Everyone that brings a stuffed toy will receive $2 off the regular ticket price. All toys will be collected by the United States Marine Corps Reserve and donated to Toys for Tots.



SPHL Stories from December 11, 2004


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