MONROE, LA – The Monroe Moccasins continued their late-season surge Saturday night, defeating the Columbus River Dragons 6–2 at the Monroe Civic Center to close out the regular-season series between the two clubs.
With the win, Monroe improved to 35-9-7-3-0 on the season and moved to within one point of first place in the Continental Division. The Moccasins also improved to 18-4-5-2-0 on home ice and finished the season series against Columbus with a 6-0-2 record, including a perfect 4-0-0 mark at the Civic Center. The River Dragons fell to 26-17-5-4-1 with the loss.
Monroe, playing its third game since Tuesday, stayed hot offensively, netting six goals for the third straight game and outscoring opponents 18–9 over that span.
The Moccasins opened the scoring at 3:50 of the first period on a goal from Casey Gerstein before Columbus answered moments later with a goal from Kirk Underwood to even the game at 1–1 heading into the intermission.
Monroe took control in the second period with a three-goal outburst. Gerstein gave the Moccasins the lead early in the frame, added another midway through the period, and later completed the hat trick to put Monroe ahead 4–1.
Columbus added a goal in the third period, but Monroe responded with two more to put the game out of reach and secure the 6–2 victory.
Gerstein extended his goal-scoring streak to four games and continued his strong stretch down the final weeks of the season. Despite the loss, Columbus saw milestones from a pair of players. Former Moccasin Ben Stefanini recorded his 50th career professional point with two assists, while Nathaniel Mott scored the first goal of his professional career after picking up his first point with an assist the night prior.
With the regular-season series now complete, the two teams could meet again in the opening round of the Commissioner’s Cup Playoffs, where Monroe would hold home-ice advantage in a best-of-three series if the standings hold.
The Moccasins will now turn their attention to a critical two-game set next weekend against the Athens Rock Lobsters, beginning Friday night, with first place in the division still within reach.
source: Monroe Moccasins – Read More
