Macon Mayhem clip Columbus Cottonmouths in overtime

Shawn Skelly scored with 20 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Macon Mayhem a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Cottonmouths on Saturday night in Columbus.

The win gives the Mayhem a five-point cushion over Columbus in the race for the final playoff spot in the SPHL. Macon is also now 6-1-1 against Columbus this season.

Defenseman Ryan Michel opened the scoring for Macon with a goal at 7:59 of the first period. Columbus tied it later in the first period on a goal by Vladyslav Gavrik at 11:32.

The game then turned into a goaltending duel between Macon's Garret Bartus (40 shots 39 saves) and Columbus' Brandon Jaeger (33 shots, 31 saves) who sparkled in the third period when the Mayhem outshot Columbus 17-5.

The Mayhem is 3-2-0 on its current seven-game road trip, which continues Friday at Mississippi.

This story was originally published March 6, 2016 at 12:05 AM with the headline "Macon Mayhem clip Columbus Cottonmouths in overtime ."