Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

Columbus Cottonmouths 2008-09 season in review

June 5, 2008

Goaltender Chad Rycroft emerges from a one-year retirement to take his place between the pipes for his fourth Snakes’ season. Rycroft was the SPHL’s goaltender of the year in 2006-07 with a 3.11 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

June 19, 2008

Veteran captain Craig Stahl returns for his fifth straight season as the team’s on-ice leader. At 31, Stahl keeps extending his hockey career rather than venture into the working world, where other career opportunities await.

August 25, 2008

Ian Vigier is back for his second season in goal for the Snakes. Vigier and fellow rookie Nathan Heinen manned the nets for the Cottonmouths last season. Vigier was named the SPHL’s rookie goalie of the year and put up good numbers: 3.19 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. Vigier and Rycroft give the Snakes a solid goaltending tandem.

October 15, 2008

The newly installed ice in the Civic Center isn’t quite ready, so the Snakes take their first road trip of the season, heading to Birmingham for training camp workouts. Though not under ideal circumstances, the early bus trip provides bonding time for new and returning players.

November 25, 2008

In one of his toughest decisions to date, head coach and general manager Jerome Bechard waives Moor. Signed on Nov. 14, Moor played eight games and ends his Snakes’ tenure with 167 games played over four-plus seasons. His release begins the revolving door on the blue line which lasts for nearly a month.

November 26, 2008

Veteran defenseman Roman Marakhovski signs, instantly bringing stability and veteran leadership to the defense. Though he rarely picks up players released by other teams, Bechard signs rookie defenseman Kyle Lundale on Dec. 2, the day after Knoxville let him go. On the same day, Andrew Dwyer is granted emergency leave.

December 12, 2008

Speedy Orrin Hergott is placed on the 30-day injured-reserve list, the first of two stints he will spend on the sidelines. Hergott misses a total of 24 games. In a four-day span, Bechard waives defenseman Chris Stubel and defenseman Jason Schulz returns from the 30-day IR.

December 13, 2008

Vigier gets the nod to play for the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. The recall begins a six-week shuttle, during which Vigier makes five trips to the higher league. In 11 games, he posts a 6-4-1 record, with a goals-against average of 2.83 and .903 save percentage.

December 14, 2008

Bechard calls friend and former teammate Randy Murphy looking for defensive help. The Central Hockey League coach instead strongly urges Bechard to sign forward Sam Bowles, whom his New Mexico Scorpions just released. Bowles becomes a major offensive force, finishing with 53 points in 44 games while skating on the top scoring line.

December 19, 2008

With the Snakes enjoying a four-game winning streak, the two goalies celebrate personal achievements. Vigier earns accolades from the ECHL as its goaltender of the week and Rycroft is honored by the SPHL as its player of the week. Rycroft’s stats included a dazzling 1.99 goals-against average and save percentage of .938. Vigier’s GAA is 2.67 and save percentage .912. Each goalie is 3-0 during the week for which he is honored.