COLUMBUS, GA – On Friday, December 7th, the defending SPHL champion Columbus Cottonmouths hosted the red-hot Fayetteville FireAntz for the first time this season at the Columbus Civic Center. It turned out to be a defensive struggle that the host Cottonmouths won by a score of 2-1.
The featured an outstanding goaltending duel between Fayetteville’s Marco Emond and Columbus’ Andrew Loewen. Between the pair, they stopped 69 of the 72 combined shots on net in the contest with Emond (41 saves) making more saves than Loewen (28 saves) but Loewen won the battle on the scoreboard.
Sam Bowles opened the scoring at the 10:14 mark of the first period with assists going to Kevin Kessler and Brett Hammond. It would turn out to be the only score of the opening period despite the fact that Columbus out-shot Fayetteville 16-11.
There were plenty more pucks flying at the goalies in the second period as the Cottonmouths sent 13 at Emond while Loewen saw 11. Columbus was able to double its lead a little over three minutes into the stanza when Bret Tyler and Matt Gingera combined to set up John Sullivan who beat Emond. The FireAntz cut into the margin at the eleven minute mark when Brian Elser finally found a way to put the puck past Loewen.
Columbus’ defense clamped down on the Fayetteville offense in the third, holding the FireAntz to just seven shots on net. Emond did his best to give his team a shot, stopping all 14 Cottonmouth shots he faced in the period. Loewen stayed strong, shutting out Fayetteville’s potent offense in the final stanza, even when the FireAntz had the lone power play of the final period, to post the victory.
Two FireAntz and two Cottonmouths battle for the puck.
FireAnt Mike Kavanagh (2%2C dark) and goalie Marco Emond combine to thwart a Columbus opponent.
The action is fast and furious in front of the Columbus net.
The chase for the puck is on.
Columbus%27 Jason Yuel (26%2C white) is met by Fayetteville goalie Marco Emond and defenseman Ryan Ramage.
Fayetteville%27s Kyle McNeil (22%2C black) follows the puck as Cottonmouths goalie Andrew Loewen (1%2C white) and Alex MacLeod look for it.
Columbus%27 Levi Lind (19%2C white) recoils from a collision with a Fayetteville player.
Fayetteville%27s Ben Contini (17%2C black) looks to make a play against Columbus%27 Kyle Johnson (7%2C white).
Everybody%27s following the puck as it heads to the corner.
Contact the photographer at tonia.hill@prohockeynews.com
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