PHN’s Best Shots of the Game: RiverKings’ flurry in second period dooms Snakes

COLUMBUS, GA – It was trick or treat Friday night inside the Columbus Civic Center as the Snakes cut a three-goal deficit down to one only to ultimately fall 6-3 to the Mississippi RiverKings.

Columbus seized an early lead 1-0 thanks to John Brodie’s power-play goal in the first. Coming into the night Columbus was 0 for 4 on power play opportunities.

“We worked on the power play all week and it finally clicked,” Cottonmouths coach Jerome Berchard said. “Unfortunately the game was lost in the second period, letting three goals in three minutes due to mostly turnovers and some bad defense.”

Mississippi answered, scoring four straight goals including three in the first five minutes of the second period. Mark Putin tied the game at 8:29 of the first period.

Linden Bahm led off the second-period scoring barrage only 18 seconds into the second period while Mike Grace and Ryan Marcuz followed suit giving the RiverKings a 4-1 lead. Columbus rallied, cutting the three-goal deficit to one connecting on a pair of goals — one each by Chris Rial and Louis Belisle, both their second of the season.

The comeback bid fell short as Mississippi scored two goals in the third, including one by Dean Willmott and a power-play goal by Pustin, his second of the night.

In the loss, Columbus net minder Shannon Szabados faced 38 goals while her counterpart Peter Di Solvo blocked 35 shots picking up his first win of the season.

Proving as a welcomed addition, Andy Bathgate made his Columbus debut assisting on all three of Friday night’s goals.

“Little bit of work to do, the effort is there and the team is where we want to be,” Bechard said. “Have to get everyone on the same page and thinking the same way instead of trying to do too many things individually.”

Still in search of their first win, Columbus hits the road Saturday night to face off against Macon in their first regular season meeting with the Mayhem for a 7:30 p.m. contest.