Tom Maldonado scored the clinching goal in a shootout, and the Columbus Cottonmouths picked up the extra point in a 3-2 (1-0 SO) win over the Fayetteville FireAntz.

Columbus put 36 shots on net during the contest, more than the 27.8 it averages per game.

The Cottonmouths were helped by Daniel Amesbury, who finished with one goal. Amesbury scored 6:21 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Columbus. Jordan Draper provided the assist. Columbus also got a goal from Matt Gingera as well. In addition, Columbus received assists from Dan Bremner, who had one.

Fayetteville excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in seven chances. The FireAntz relied on a core group of players for most of their offense, as Kyle McNeil, Brandon Richardson and Bobby Reed took 20 of the team's 34 shots.

Corey Toy also scored for Fayetteville. Other players who recorded assists for Fayetteville were Mike Kavanagh, Brett Liscomb, and Aaron McGill, who contributed one a piece.

Travis Bosch made 32 saves for Columbus on 34 shots. The Cottonmouths incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors. Peter Skoggard recorded 33 saves for Fayetteville. The FireAntz incurred 16 minutes in penalty time with eight minors.