COLUMBUS, GA – The Columbus Cottonmouths tried to dig themselves out of a three-goal hole, but the Knoxville Ice Bears held on for a 4-3 victory.
A goal by Adam Sedlak put Knoxville up 4-1 in the second period, but Columbus pulled to within one on Andy Bathgate’s tally 19:05 into the third period. The Ice Bears put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Cottonmouths to score on any of their four power plays.
With 28 shots on target during the contest, Knoxville exceeded the 22.1 shots it averages per game this year. The Ice Bears were helped by John Clewlow, who had one goal. Clewlow scored 2:42 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Knoxville. Garrett Vermeersch assisted on the tally.
Knoxville also got points from Vermeersch, who also grabbed one goal and one assist and Mark Pustin, who also registered one goal and one assist. More assists for Knoxville came via Doug Reid, who had two and Jason Price and Zack LaRue, who each chipped in one. Columbus put 29 shots on net during the contest, more than the 20.8 it averages per game.
The Cottonmouths’ defensemen bolstered Columbus’ offensive attack, as they bombarded Brian Billett with 12 shots. The Cottonmouths were helped by Kyle Shapiro, who finished with one goal. Shapiro scored 4:52 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Columbus. Chris Rial picked up the assist. Columbus also got a goal from Levi Lind as well. In addition, Columbus received assists from Alex Pompeo, Patrick McCadden, and Chad Bennett, who contributed one each. Billett recorded 26 saves for Knoxville.
The Ice Bears totaled 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major and went 0-for-1 on the power play. Brandon Jaeger rejected 24 shots on goal for Columbus. The Cottonmouths ended with seven minutes in penalty time with one minor and one major.
Text provided by official SPHL media release
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