Kevin Murdock was superb between the pipes for the Fayetteville FireAntz, as he did not allow a goal in a 3-0 victory over the Columbus Cottonmouths.

Trever Hertz was all over the ice for Fayetteville, as he registered two goals in the win. Hertz scored at 5:59 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Fayetteville and again while on the power play 19:29 into the second to make the score 3-0 Fayetteville.

Columbus' power play was ineffective against the FireAntz's penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

Fayetteville's penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled 11 minors and three majors for 47 minutes in penalty time. The FireAntz surpassed its season average of 24.0 penalty minutes per game. Fayetteville put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow the Cottonmouths to score on any of their seven power plays. The FireAntz's defensive play was more effective than usual against Columbus. Fayetteville averages 2.9 goals allowed per game.

Kyle McNeil also scored for Fayetteville. Other players who recorded assists for Fayetteville were Mike Kavanagh, John Clewlow, Darcy Vaillancourt, Derek Elliott, and Jan Safar, who contributed one each.

The Cottonmouths racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with nine minors and three majors for 33 minutes in penalty time. Columbus had been averaging 20.0 minutes in penalties per game. The Cottonmouths did not reach the goal total they have come to expect this season. Columbus puts an average of 2.1 pucks into the net per game. By firing 36 shots on goal, the Cottonmouths exceeded the 29.1 shots they average per game this year.

Columbus was led by Matt Gingera, who took 10 shots.

Murdock rejected 36 shots on goal for the FireAntz. Fayetteville registered two goals on four power play opportunities. The Cottonmouths' Andrew Loewen stopped 24 shots out of the 27 that he faced.