Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons suffered a tough loss against the Monroe Moccasins in a highly contentious matchup.
Over 2,300 local Columbus fans looked on as Columbus’ disorganization on the ice led to a bench minor for too many men on the ice, helping Monroe to pull off an early 2-0 lead at the end of the first period on goals scored by Helmer Oskarsson and Corey Cunningham.
Columbus allowed a goal at 14:12 by Scott Coash, to put Monroe up 3-0 and concluding the second frame.
The third period was red hot. Columbus’ Ryan Hunter eliminated Monroe’s hopes of a shutout, putting Columbus on the board at 2:08 and making it 3-1.
The Moccasins answered quickly, with Coash (at 3:35) and Cunningham (PPG at 4:43) scoring their second of the night, putting them up 5-1 over the River Dragons.
Momentum shifted in favor of Columbus for a bit, scoring twice in 9 seconds. Nolan Slachetka scored a 3-on-3 goal at 10:31 on an assist by Preston Kugler (marking his first FPHL point) and Alexander Jmaeff scored his 100th FPHL goal on a 4-on-4 play at 10:40, closing the gap on the Moccasins to 5-3.
Following Nathan Balkwill’s fighting (5 minute major) and game misconduct, Oskarsson buried his second of the night and gifted Monroe another 3-point lead over Columbus, making it 6-3.
Blake Anderson closed it out for the Moccasins, scoring a short-handed goal at 16:10 and sealing the win over the River Dragons, 7-3.
The River Dragons allowed a season-high 7 goals in this matchup, and recorded a total of 32 penalty minutes.
The Monroe Moccasins will remain in Columbus tonight, where the River Dragons look to settle the score and avoid the weekend sweep.
Fans in Columbus will enjoy Ugly Sweater Night and their annual Teddy Bear Toss tonight.
