LAFAYETTE, La. — The Columbus Cottonmouths’ march to the SPHL playoffs hit a bump in Louisiana on Saturday night.

The Snakes allowed three unanswered goals in a 5-4 overtime loss to last-place Louisiana.

The loss keeps the IceGators in the hunt for the sixth and final playoff spot. Louisiana trails the sixth-place Snakes by 9 points with 9 games to play, two of which are head-to-head. Knoxville and Pensacola are tied= for fourth place. The Snakes trail both by five points. Mississippi, Fayetteville and Huntsville have clinched playoff berths.

The Snakes have captured 10 of their past 12 possible points and have picked up 5 of their past 6 possible points on the road.

The Snakes trailed badly in shots on goal, 31-13, entering the final period but held a 3-2 lead. The Snakes are now 14-0-3 when protecting a lead in the third period.