By Sean Gundry
The Columbia Inferno went into Wednesday's game with the Texas Wildcatters knowing that it could be their last game ever at the Carolina Coliseum.
"I love the city," said left winger Tyler Doig. "All the guys love the city, it'd be a shame if there's no team here next year."
But as much as the players and staff love Columbia, their focus was entirely on getting a victory in game four of their ECHL Southern Conference semifinal against Texas.
The squads skated to a 0-0 tie after the first period, and the Inferno went behind just 20 seconds into the second period, when Texas winger Colin Nicholson beat Columbia goalie Todd Ford on his blocker side to put the visitors up 1-0.
But the Inferno would not be denied. Center Mac Faulkner put Columbia on the scoreboard midway through the third period, when he chipped a shot over Texas netminder Anton Khudobin to even the score at 1-1.
The teams found themselves in overtime for the second straight night, but Wendesday the puck bounced the way of the Inferno, as wingman Daniel Sparre poked a rebound past Khudobin to give Columbia a 2-1 victory.
The players and coaches said they had confidence all along and they can't wait for Friday's decisive game five.
"We didn't want this to be our last game," said Faulkner. "We really wanted to make sure these great fans see some more hockey this season."
"We don't plan on being done anytime soon," said Doig. "And the fans seem like they want to keep coming as long as we're in it."
"I think the organization was totally focused coming into tonight," said head coach Troy Mann. "It really showed, and I can't thank our fans enough for their support all year long. Hopefully we'll have at least two more games here before we're done."
Game five of the best-of-five series will be Friday at 7:05 (CT) in Beaumont, Texas.
