Columbus, GA – The Columbus River Dragons hosted the Baton Rouge Zydeco at the Columbus Civic Center Wednesday night, where more than 2,500 fans looked on. The River Dragons, hoping to end their 3-game losing streak against the Zydeco, entering the night’s contest on a 5-game win streak.
The Baton Rouge Zydeco put the first point on the board in the first period, scoring at 10:09 of the first period on a Kevin Szabad goal. Alexander Jmaeff answered back for the River Dragons at 17:12, scoring on a power play and ending the opening frame tied, 1-1.
The second period was riddled with penalties on both sides, although both the Dragons and Zydeco failed to capitalize on their power play opportunities. By the end of the second, Brodie Thornton (BRZ) and Ryan Galvin (CRD) traded goals, ending the period with both teams tied, 2-2.
The third frame proved to be more intense. Baton Rouge fired first, with Elijah Wilson scoring at 1:58. Jestin Somero clapped back at 8:02, tying the game for the River Dragons, 3-3. At 16:59, Kirk Underwood earned Columbus their first lead of the night, scoring on the power play. At 18:06, Elijah Wilson tied the game at 4-4, forcing the contest into overtime.
With neither team producing an overtime scoring opportunity, the contest was settled in shootout.
Although Ryan Galvin succeeded in scoring first in shootout, Dmitry Kuznetsov and Elijah Wilson closed the contest in favor of the Zydeco, providing the win for Baton Rouge, 5-4.
Columbus will travel to Baton Rouge Friday, where they aim to settle the score, and end their current 5-game losing streak.
The Zydeco currently maintain their #1 spot in the Continental Division, while the River Dragons are fighting to advance from their current #5 standing.
