Snakes may need to win out to earn playoff berth

The Columbus Cottonmouths have five games remaining in their regular season, and they may need to win all five games to have a chance to make the SPHL playoffs.

The Snakes, who host Macon Friday night at 7:30 p.m., are ninth in the SPHL standings with 44 points. Columbus trails Louisiana for the eighth and final spot by six points. Macon is seven points ahead.

It’s been the same story for the Snakes over the last month. Hold on to the mentality that it’s not over ’til it’s over, all the while patching up a leaky roster in hopes of that two of their elite scorers — forwards Shawn Bates and Louis Belisle — return from the ECHL While they will be without Bates this weekend — they host Louisiana on Saturday — it remains to be seen if Belisle, who is still third on the team in points with 27, will return.

“With injuries and call-ups, it’s been very frustrating for everybody, from the office staff, to the fans, down to the coaches, putting together a solid lineup each night has been a struggle,” Columbus coach Jerome Bechard said. “Can’t say with 100 percent certainty, but us possibly waiting on those guys from the ECHL has hurt us down the stretch.”

Since the inception of the SPHL, Columbus has never missed the playoffs, making 11 straight trips to the postseason.

“Long shot, but still a shot,” Bechard said. “Our chances are dwindling, and we have to take care of business but get some help from around the league as well.”

Columbus ends the season on a three-game road trip in Peoria against the first-place Rivermen, the one SPHL squad the Cottonmouths have yet to beat this season. Columbus is 0-4 against Peoria.

The Snakes will also be without forward Tyler Henry, who was injured and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

In his absence the Snakes signed rookie forward Alex Kromm. He joins the Snakes after winning the NCAA Division III championship with UW-Stevens Point. In 31 games this past season, Kromm notched six goals and eight assists.

“I’m asking the guys to empty their tanks and play a full 60 minutes,” Bechard said. “This weekend is going to determine what kind of professionals we have in our locker room.”

This story was originally published March 31, 2016 at 6:08 PM with the headline "Snakes may need to win out to earn playoff berth."