AUGUSTA, GA – The Augusta RiverHawks put forth a valiant third period effort to give themselves a chance to pick up a win on New Year’s Eve afternoon at the James Brown Arena. Instead, it was the Columbus Cottonmouths who skated away with the 4-3 overtime victory. Just over two minutes into the extra frame, Cottonmouths’ forward Derek Pallardy stole the puck from a RiverHawks forward and sprung out on a breakaway. He out-skated Augusta’s back-checkers and beat RiverHawks’ goaltender Jon Olthuis to the glove side. The RiverHawks needed a big effort in the third period in order to tie the game at 3-3 and they got just that. Augusta out-shot the Cottonmouths 15-5 in the final stanza but they were unable to break through until they had just 17 seconds left on the clock in regulation time. Defenseman Jason Price blasted a hard, low shot from the point that Columbus goaltender Ian Vigier stopped but the rebound was batted in by Neil Graham to send the contest to overtime. A poor second period turned out to be the RiverHawks undoing in the game. Augusta gave up two goals in the frame, one to Daniel Amesbury and the other to veteran Orrin Hergott. It was Hergott’s second goal of the game, his first coming just under two minutes into the game on a power play. The RiverHawks led the game after the first period thanks in large part to captain Matt Auffrey. The reigning league MVP set up his team’s first goal with a shot on net that Vigier stopped but Ed Snetsinger followed up by shoving the rebound over the goal line. Seven minutes later, Auffrey led a two-on-one shorthanded rush with Aaron McGill. A pretty passing play led to a wide open Cottonmouths’ net and Auffrey made no mistake, depositing the puck into the back of the net. Despite the loss, Augusta did pick up a point in the standings for pushing the game into overtime. The point moved the RiverHawks into a tie for first place in the SPHL with the Knoxville Ice Bears. The Ice Bears have two games in hand on Augusta.
Columbus goalie Ian Vigier (40%2C left) makes a save as Augusta%27s Neil Graham (22) and Columbus%27 Greg Beller look on.
Augusta%27s Neil Graham (22%2C center) ties the game late in the third period as teammate Matt Auffrey (20) looks on.
Columbus%27 Brett Hammond (17%2C left) and Sam Bowles (24%2C right) doubleteam a RiverHawks opponent.
Columbus%27 Jordan Braid (10%2C left) battles Augusta%27s Kyle Watson for the puck.
Three Cottonmouths and two RiverHawks fight for a loose puck.
Augusta%27s Branden Kosolofsky (39%2C center) tries to get away from Columbus%27 Tom Maldonado (7%2C right).
Columbus%27 Derek Pallardy (22%2C right) beats Augusta goalie Jon Olthuis for the game-winning ovetime goal.
Contact the photographer at stephanie.simpers@prohockeynews.com
comment@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.