The Columbus Cottonmouths tried to dig themselves out of a two-goal hole, but the Knoxville Ice Bears held on for a 5-4 victory.

Knoxville made the score 4-2 on a goal by Eric Satim at 19:44 in the second period, and Columbus got as close as 4-3 when Nick Curry scored 47 seconds into the third period.

Ben Power was all over the ice for the Ice Bears, as he racked up two goals in the win. Power's tallies came on the power play at 8:17 into the second period to make the score 2-2 and on the power play 13:04 into the second to make the score 3-2 Knoxville.

Knoxville struggled to stay out of the sin bin throughout the game as it finished the game with 26 penalty minutes for seven opposing power plays.

Knoxville additionally got points from Berkley Scott, who also had one goal and two assists and Satim, who also tallied one goal and two assists to lead the team in points. Francis Drolet also scored for Knoxville. More assists for Knoxville came via Tyler Klein, who had one and Ryan Salvis, who had two.

The Cottonmouths forced the Ice Bears goalie Bryan Hince to work between the pipes, taking 33 shots.

Columbus also had goals scored by Craig Simchuk, Patrick McCadden, and Andy Willigar, who each put in one. In addition, Columbus received assists from Neilsson Arcibal, who had two and Louis Belisle, Will Aide, Levi Lind, Andreas Persson, and Lucas Van Natter, who contributed one each.

Knoxville's Hince stopped 29 shots out of the 33 that he faced. The Ice Bears registered two goals on four power play opportunities. Shannon Szabados rejected 22 shots on goal for Columbus. The Cottonmouths ended with 20 minutes in penalty time with five minors and two majors.