Former Vernon Viper Greg Beller Scores Game Winner As Cottonmouths Win SPHL Championship:

Former Vernon Vipers forward, Greg Beller scored the game-winner at 14:56 of the second period giving Columbus a 2-1 lead before John Sullivan added an emptynetter at 19:32 of the final period to put the game away giving the Columbus Cottonmouths a 3-1 win over the Pensacola Ice Flyers Saturday night sweeping the best of three game championship series 2-0 to win the SPHL Championship. The Cottonmouths finished the season on a nine-game win streak, winning their final three regular season games and going a perfect 6-0 in the playoffs. Its the team's third franchise championship and second as members of the SPHL.

In 33 regular season games with Columbus Beller collected (16-20-36) while putting up (5-5-10) in six playoff games this season.

Greg Beller is in his first season with Columbus is with his third team this season (Idaho, Augusta and now Columbus) signed with the Columbus Cottonmouths back on November, 12th 2011 Beller was named to this years SPHL All-Rookie team. Beller played one season in Vernon (2007-08) playing in 23 regular season games collecting (10-10-20). Beller left Yale University during the 2007-08 season joining the Vernon Vipers midway through the regular season. Beller was selected by New York Rangers in round 6 #178 overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

Greg Beller's Player Profile:

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=87902

This is in the Ledger-Enquirer Newspaper:

Columbus Cottonmouths clinch SPHL championship, sweep Pensacola Ice Flyers in President's Cup Finals

By KATHY GIERER — Special to the Ledger-Enquirer

Apr 15, 2012

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- The Columbus Cottonmouths took a very business-like attitude into Game 2 of the Southern Professional Hockey League championship series with the Pensacola Ice Flyers.

The final order of business that capped off a magical season came when the Snakes raised the 2012 President's Cup.

The Snakes made a slim 2-1 lead last for 20 agonizing minutes. Goaltender Ian Vigier, not surprisingly named the series Most Valuable Player, stood on his head once again, stopping 31 shots including 11 in a wild third period.

A jubilant Vigier paused to reflect upon the team's achievement before SPHL Commissioner Jim Combs presented the trophy.

"It hasn't set in yet," Vigier said. "The guys did an unbelievable job keeping the pucks to the outside. I saw everything tonight."

Captain Will Barlow also struggled for words.

"It feels so good," Barlow said. "Obviously we're thrilled with this and thrilled with the whole season. This is a great group of guys."

Hockey tradition has the trophy presented to the team captain and he's the first to skate with it. Barlow gave that honor to Vigier. Barlow then skated the Cup over to a vocal group of several hundred Cottonmouths fans who made the trip.

After Barlow's turn, the honor went to the longest tenured Cottonmouth. Assistant captain Orrin Hergott raised

the league's inaugural President's Cup.

This is the franchise's third league championship (CHL, 1998).

Bechard praised the team effort to reach the goal set at the start of training camp.

"It was everybody, not just one person," Bechard said. "There was not one person who didn't do his job."

Defenseman Tom Maldonado scored his first points of the playoffs, assisting on the first two Snakes goals.

"We knew Ian would stand on his head," Maldonado said. "The defense played hard, the same way we did all year. This was the final challenge."

The teams battled to a 1-1 tie after the first period. The intense, physical play that began in Columbus continued.

Jordan Braid got the Snakes on the board at the 9:38 mark of the first period. Maldonado rifled a pass to Braid in front and he buried it. John Sullivan also got an assist on the play. The goal was Braid's first of the playoffs.

The slim lead held up until the 14:50 mark of the period. Pensacola winger Ryan Sylvis grabbed a loose puck in the Columbus zone and caught Snakes goaltender Ian Vigier off balance.

The Greg Beller-Derek Pallardy-Orrin Hergott line had several chances in the first and put a crisp passing sequence together for the Snakes second goal. Beller took the puck into the Pensacola zone and waited for his teammates to get into position. Another Maldonado pass, as well as one from Pallardy, to give the Snakes a 2-1 lead with 20 minutes to play.

John Sullivan added the empty netter to seal the win and the championship with 28 seconds left to play.

Columbus 1 1 1--3

Pensacola 1 0 0--1

First period--1, Columbus, Braid (Maldonado, Sullivan) 9:38; 2, Pensacola, Salvis (unassisted) 14:50. Penalties--Corry, Pensacola (interference) 3:07; Sullivan (Columbus) hooking) 11:47.

Second period--3, Beller (Pallardy, Maldonado) 14:56. Penalties--Hohl, Pensacola (cross-checking) 10:34; Wall, Columbus (cross-checking) 10:34; Kuhn, Pensacola (charging) 10:34; Kuhn, Pensacola (holding) 18:57.

Third period--Columbus, Sullivan (unassisted) 19:32. Penalties--Corry, Pensacola (tripping) 5:59; Braid, Columbus (tripping) 9:19; Braid, Columbus (holding) 13:36.

Shots on goal: Columbus 11-14-6--31; Pensacola 9-12-11--32.

Power plays--Columbus 0 of 4; Pensacola 0 of 3.

Goaltenders: Vigier (win) 60:00-32-31-1; Christie (loss) 31-28-2.

Referees: Wilk, Schulz. Linesmen: Gregor, Grey.

Time: 2: 25

Attendance: 5630