Brett Hammond gave the Columbus Cottonmouths the lead in the first period, and the Knoxville Ice Bears was never able to catch up in a close game that ended 4-2.

Hammond provided Columbus with the game-winning tally when he scored 9:30 into the the first period. A holding stick penalty on Mark Van Vliet had put the Cottonmouths on the power play. John Sullivan picked up the assist.

Greg Beller had a great game for Columbus, netting two goals. Beller scored on the power play at 11:58 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Columbus and again while on the power play 3:13 into the third to make the score 4-2 Columbus.

The Cottonmouths took advantage of Knoxville's penalties and slotted in three goals on the power play.

Columbus racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with nine minors and three majors for 33 minutes in penalty time. The Cottonmouths surpassed its season average of 22 penalty minutes per game. Columbus put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Ice Bears to score on any of their six power plays.

Columbus additionally got points from Tom Maldonado, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. More assists for Columbus came via Bret Tyler, who had two and Jordan Braid and Orrin Hergott, who each chipped in one.

Knoxville was often in penalty trouble, totaling six minors and three majors for 27 minutes in penalty time. The Ice Bears had been averaging 19 minutes in penalties per game. By firing 35 shots on goal, Knoxville exceeded the 31 shots it averages per game this year.

The Ice Bears were helped by David Segal, who registered one goal. Segal scored 9:51 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Columbus. Eric Slais provided the assist. Other players who recorded assists for Knoxville were Eric Satim and Emery Olauson, who contributed one each.

The Cottonmouths' Ian Vigier stopped 33 shots out of the 35 that he faced. Jesse Kallechy turned away 23 pucks between the pipes for Knoxville.