Brendan Taylor lifted the Augusta RiverHawks to a 6-5 victory with a hat trick against the Knoxville Ice Bears.

Augusta pulled out the victory even though it was hit with 18 penalty minutes.

The RiverHawks stifled Knoxville's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. Augusta outdid its season average for goals scored. This season, the RiverHawks average three goals per contest. Augusta's offense was clicking better than usual and put 37 shots on goal during the game, better than the 24 shots per game it averages.

Augusta additionally got points from Egor Mironov, who also registered one goal and one assist and Neil Graham, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Augusta got a goal from Jim Gehring as well. Other players who recorded assists for Augusta were Justin Levac, who had one, Ed Snetsinger, who had two, and Matt Auffrey and Branden Kosolofsky, who each chipped in three.

The Ice Bears forced the RiverHawks goalie Peter Skoggard to work between the pipes, taking 37 shots. Knoxville found itself short handed often, totaling 14 penalty minutes and allowing four power plays. The leading offender was David Segal, who totaled six minutes in penalty time with three minors.

Knoxville also got points from Dan Bremner, who also had one goal and two assists. Emery Olauson also scored for Knoxville. More assists for Knoxville came via Steve Wiedler, who had one, Berkley Scott, who had three, and Kevin Swider and Eric Slais, who each chipped in two.

Peter Skoggard made 32 saves for Augusta on 37 shots. The Ice Bears' Matt Hache stopped 31 shots out of the 37 that he faced. Knoxville registered zero goals on six power play opportunities.