In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Fayetteville FireAntz escaped with a 5-3 victory over the Knoxville Ice Bears.

Each team kept the other at bay throughout the game, and Brandon Richardson secured the win for Fayetteville with a goal in the second period.

The FireAntz were paced by Jeff Martens, who grabbed one goal. Martens scored 19:52 into the second period to make the score 4-2 Fayetteville. Kevin Kessler assisted on the tally.

Fayetteville put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Knoxville to score on any of its four power plays. The FireAntz failed to reach their usual level of shot production, putting 23 pucks on goal after averaging 28.8 shots per game this season.

Fayetteville additionally got points from Derek Elliott, who also registered one goal and two assists. Others who scored for Fayetteville included Matt Smyth and Brandon Greenside, who each put in one. Other players who recorded assists for Fayetteville were Bobby Reed, Nick Craven, and Matt Ridley, who contributed one a piece and John Clewlow and Chris Greene, who each chipped in two.

The Ice Bears' offense was clicking better than usual and put 38 shots on goal during the game, better than the 26.9 shots per game they average.

Knoxville was helped by Jon Higgins, who had one goal. Higgins scored 2:20 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Knoxville. Mark Van Vliet provided the assist. Knoxville also had goals scored by Ben Power and Eric Satim, who scored one goal each. More assists for Knoxville came via Ben Souders, who had two and Cody Dion and Jeremy Klaver, who contributed one a piece.

Peter Skoggard rejected 35 shots on goal for Fayetteville. The FireAntz incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Cody Rosen took the loss and made 13 saves before being replaced by Bryan Hince who made five saves. The Ice Bears incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors.