COLUMBUS, GA – In a shootout victory that lasted 12 attempts per team, Stuart Stefan netted the deciding goal for the Huntsville Havoc as they prevailed 4-3 over the Columbus Cottonmouths on Friday (1-0 SO).
The Havoc trailed 3-2 after a goal by Columbus Cottonmouths’ Tyler Henry at 16:14 in the second period. Huntsville knotted things up at 3-3 on a goal by Nolan Kaiser at 18:12 in the third period.
The Havoc stifled the Cottonmouths’ power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Huntsville forced Cottonmouths’ goalie Shannon Szabados to work between the pipes, taking 51 shots.
The Havoc were helped by Kyle McNeil, who finished with one goal. McNeil scored 15:30 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Huntsville Havoc. Jordan Reed provided the assist. Brett Lutes also scored for Huntsville Havoc. In addition, the Havoc received assists from Nick Schneider, John Lidgett, and Clinton Atkinson, who each chipped in one.
The Cottonmouths put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Huntsville to score on any of its five power plays. The Havoc were unable to stop Columbus from sending pucks towards the net, and the Cottonmouths eventually piled up 31 shots on goal.
Ben O’Quinn and Chris Rial each put in one for Columbus. Louis Belisle, Patrick McCadden, Kyle Shapiro, and Shawn Bates each contributed on assists.
The Havoc ended with 20 minutes in penalty time with five minors and two majors. Szabados recorded 47 saves for the Cottonmouths, while Kevin Genoe rejected 28 shots on goal for Huntsville. The Cottonmouths totaled 30 minutes in penalty time with five minors and two majors, and went 0-for-5 on the power play.
Game summary provided by cottonmouths.com
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