The Columbus Cottonmouths climbed out of a three-goal hole to beat the Knoxville Ice Bears, 6-5.

Columbus never led in the game until netting the game winner. The Cottonmouths trailed 4-1 after a goal by Knoxville's Francis Drolet at 5:37 in the second period. Columbus tied things up at 5-5 on a goal by Tory Allan at 7:57 in the third period. The Cottonmouths netted the game winner on the power play at 16:30 in the third period on a goal by Allan.

With three goals and three assists between them, Matt Gingera and Sam Bowles teamed up to power Columbus' offense. Gingera had two goals and Bowles also added one goal and three assists.

The Cottonmouths excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. Columbus found the back of the net more times than it usually has this season. The Cottonmouths have scored at the pace of 3.1 goals per game during the current campaign.

Columbus additionally got points from Preston Shupe, who also registered one goal and one assist, Bowles, who also finished with one goal and three assists to lead the team in points, and Allan, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Jason Gray also scored for Columbus. Other players who recorded assists for Columbus were Levi Lind, Chris Bailer, and Jordan Draper, who each chipped in one and Tom Maldonado and Neilsson Arcibal, who contributed two a piece.

The Ice Bears' goal total was higher than their season average. This season, Knoxville averages 2.9 goals per contest. The Ice Bears struggled on the penalty kill, allowing Columbus to score three power play goals on four chances. Knoxville put 38 shots on net during the contest, more than the 26.6 it averages per game.

The Ice Bears were helped by Andrew Dovey, who tallied two goals. Dovey scored the first of his two goals at 5:02 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Knoxville. Dovey's next tally made the score 3-1 Knoxville with 14:56 left in the second period. Brett Valliquette assisted on the tally. Knoxville also got points from Ben Power, who also had one goal and one assist and Eric Satim, who also registered one goal and one assist. In addition, Knoxville received assists from Brady Vandenberk, Mark Van Vliet, Ben Schoeneberger, Jason Price, and Phil Bronner, who each chipped in one.

Andrew Loewen made 33 saves for the Cottonmouths on 38 shots. Columbus ended with 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major. Bryan Hince rejected 21 shots on goal for Knoxville. The Ice Bears ended with 23 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major.