AUGUSTA, GA – Augusta RiverHawks’ forward Jim Gehring has proven himself to be a top marksman who rarely misses on a good opportunity. If he does fail once, he surely won’t on the second one.
The SPHL’s leading goal scorer uncharacteristically missed on his first chance to score the game-winning goal in overtime on Wednesday, January 11th at the James Brown Arena. He did however make sure to convert on a second chance seconds later to give the RiverHawks a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Cottonmouths.
Gehring hammered a one-timer past Columbus goalie Ian Vigier just moments after failing to hit a wide open net in the extra period. The win and the two points earned for it kept Augusta in first place by three points over the Knoxville Ice Bears and nine points over third place Columbus. It also avenged an overtime loss to the Cottonmouths a couple of weeks ago at the JBA.
Coming off a less-than-stellar performance in their prior game in Fayetteville, the RiverHawks needed a bounce back effort. Coach Brad Ralph was looking for his captains to have a big night and lead the rest of the team. They did so but it wasn’t easy.
Columbus broke onto the scoreboard first when Jordan Braid beat Augusta starting goalie Peter Skoggard 7:22 into the opening period. It turned out to be the only score of the stanza as the RiverHawks weren’t able to put one past Vigier.
A pair of penalties to the Cottonmouths early in the second period gave Augusta a five-on-three power play. The RiverHawks made Columbus pay when alternate captain Ed Snetsinger scored at the 1:43 mark to tie the game at one. Columbus regained the lead at 8:56 when Jesse Cole notched a power play goal of his own. A little over three minutes later, RiverHawks captain Matt Auffrey found the back of the net on Augusta’s third man advantage of the stanza to once again even the score.
The RiverHawks took their first lead of the game at the 5:12 mark of the third period when alternate captain Jason Price lit the lamp. It stayed that way until Braid scored his second of the game for the Cottonmouths to knot the score at 3-3 with just over two minutes left in regulation. Things stayed that way through the end of the period, setting up the overtime and Gehring’s heroics.
Both teams enjoyed strong goaltending performances in the game. Skoggard made 27 saves to record the win while Vigier stopped 36 shots including six in the extra period in a losing effort.
Columbus%27 Jordan Braid (10%2C blue) is hounded by Augusta%27s Curtis Megginson.
RiverHawks%27 goalie Peter Skoggard (33%2C center) thwarts a Columbus attack.
Cottonmouth Jesse Cole (26%2C center) scores on Augusta goalie Peter Skoggard as defenseman Ed Snetsinger (88) looks on.
Augusta%27s Matt Auffrey (20%2C right) tries to get around Columbus%27 Sam Bowles (24).
Columbus%27 Jordan Braid (10%2C right) scores one of his two goals in the game.
Augusta%27s Ed Snetsinger (88%2C right) tries to clear the puck before Columbus%27 Brett Hammond (17) can stop him.
Columbus goalie Ian Vigier (40%2C center) lunges across the net to try to stop a shot by Augusta%27s Jim Gehring.
Augusta%27s Jim Gehring (14%2C white) scores the game-winning goal against Columbus.
Contact the photographer at stephanie.simpers@prohockeynews.com
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