SPHL Playoff race remains a free for all

JOHNS ISLAND, SC – The SPHL season is winding down with each team having six games to left to play in the regular season which ends on March 21, 2009.   Despite nearing the end of the season, except for first place occupied by Knoxville, no clear picture of the playoffs is yet in focus.   The race is so tight that the standings have been changing almost on a game by game basis.  
Columbus, which was in or hovering near last place for much of the season, started a major push as February began and has leapfrogged into second place albeit with only a one point lead over Richmond and Huntsville and a two point lead over fifth place Fayetteville. The top four teams make the playoffs and the standings after the action on March 7 are as follows:

The Cottonmouths certainly have been surging. They have climbed back into the playoff picture going 11-2-2 since the end of January. After a very rough start this season, Columbus appears to have established momentum at the right time.   Four of their remaining games are at home.
One major reason for their turn around has been the offensive play of veteran forward Tim Green. The five year player with the Snakes was named the SPHL Player of the Month for February. His February production was 20 points in 13 games including 11 goals. He also received lots of help from center Sam Bowles who racked up 22 points in February including eight goals.
Additionally, the play of goaltender Ian Vigier has also been a highlight for Columbus in this stretch. In the 15 games since the end of January, Vigier, playing in 10 of the games, posted a record of 8-1-1 and has pushed his save percentage up to .903. 
The Fayetteville FireAntz, sitting in fifth place one point out of fourth, seemed to gain a great deal of momentum with a pair of wins over the weekend. Key to both victories was newly signed netminder Guy St. Vincent, who shut out Knoxville 3-0 on Friday and carried another whitewash attempt deep into the third period on Saturday before giving up a goal in the Antz’ 4-1 triumph over Richmond.  
Huntsville and Richmond have hit a rough patch of late, especially the Havoc who held first place early on before coming back to the pack. Richmond, dealing with the spectre of going dark next season, has been up and down in the last couple of weeks. T he last place Twin City Cyclones may have faded a touch but they are still mathematically in the hunt and are a very dangerous squad.
If the past is prologue, the continuing scramble may produce a whole new picture after this coming week’s action.   No doubt SPHL Commissioner Jim Combs and the Board of Governors are ecstatic. It appears the other teams will battle into the last week of the season before final standings and playoffs schedules can be determined. The intensity of the race should help all of the teams at the gate and should help ensure the players remain focused and the games electric.
Contact the author at Phil.Brand@prohockeynews.com