The Columbus Cottonmouths pulled out a 5-4 (OT) overtime victory over the Fayetteville FireAntz on a clutch goal by Matt Gingera.

Gingera had a great game for Columbus, netting two goals. Gingera's tallies came at 18:55 into the third period to make the score 4-4 and on the power play 4:26 into the fourth to make the score 5-4 Columbus.

The Cottonmouths racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with 10 minors and two majors for 40 minutes in penalty time. Columbus surpassed its season average of 18.0 penalty minutes per game. The Cottonmouths surpassed their usual scoring output this season. Columbus averages 2.4 goals per game. The Cottonmouths' penalty kill was ineffective, and let in three goals to Fayetteville's power play unit. With 43 shots on target during the contest, Columbus exceeded the 29.5 shots it averages per game this year.

Others who scored for Columbus included Kyle Thomas, Nick Curry, and Neilsson Arcibal, who scored one goal each. More assists for Columbus came via Craig Simchuk, who had two, Bryce Williamson, who had three, and Kyle Johnson, Louis Belisle, and Levi Lind, who contributed one each.

The FireAntz were often in penalty trouble, totaling 12 minors and two majors for 54 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 23.0 minutes per game Fayetteville had been spending in the box. The FireAntz put 38 shots on net during the contest, more than the 27.5 they average per game.

Fayetteville was led by Austin Daae, who tallied two goals and one assist. Daae scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 8:28 into the second period to make the score 1-0 Fayetteville. The FireAntz had gotten the advantage when the Cottonmouths' Chris Bailer was sent off for roughing. Randy Cameron provided the assist. Daae's next tally on the power play made the score 2-2 with 2:05 left in the second period. Jan Safar picked up the assist. Fayetteville additionally got points from Cameron, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Zach Carriveau also scored for Fayetteville. In addition, Fayetteville received assists from John Clewlow, Shawn Skelly, Derek Elliott, and Kyle McNeil, who each chipped in one.

Columbus' Shannon Szabados stopped 34 shots out of the 38 that he faced. The Cottonmouths registered one goal on nine power play opportunities. For Columbus, Mike Switzer was ejected from the game. Dustin Carlson rejected 38 shots on goal for Fayetteville. The FireAntz ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Tyler Sheldrake was ejected from the game.