The Columbus Cottonmouths, who led by three goals at one point, survived a comeback attempt by the Louisiana IceGators and clinched a 7-5 victory.

Columbus led by three goals at one point and ended with the victory. The largest advantage in the game came when the Cottonmouths' Nick Curry scored at 3:43 in the third period to put Columbus up 5-2.

Neilsson Arcibal and Shawn Bates provided the spark for the Cottonmouths, combining for three goals and one assist. Arcibal had two goals and Bates also added one goal and one assist.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 9:12 into the second period. Six fighting penalties were dished out along with five game misconducts.

Columbus' penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled eight minors and four majors for 66 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 19.0 minutes per game the Cottonmouths had been spending in the box. Columbus surpassed its usual scoring output this season. The Cottonmouths have scored at the pace of 3.1 goals per game during the current campaign. Columbus put 46 shots on net during the contest, more than the 30.0 it averages per game.

Columbus additionally got points from Ben OQuinn, who also registered one goal and one assist, Louis Belisle, who also racked up one goal and two assists, Curry, who also registered one goal and two assists to lead the team in points, and Bates, who also had one goal and one assist. Andy Willigar also scored for Columbus. Other players who recorded assists for Columbus were Craig Simchuk, Will Aide, Levi Lind, Matt Gingera, Mike Switzer, and Bryce Williamson, who contributed one each.

Louisiana racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with four minors and four majors for 68 minutes in penalty time. The IceGators had been averaging 19.0 minutes in penalties per game. By firing 28 shots on goal, Louisiana exceeded the 17.7 shots it averages per game this year.

The IceGators were helped by Jeremy Boyer, who tallied two goals and one assist. Boyer scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 9:03 into the third period to make the score 5-4 Columbus. Louisiana had taken the advantage when the Cottonmouths' Arcibal got sent off for slashing. Jake Hauswirth assisted on the tally. Boyer's next tally on the power play made the score 6-5 Columbus with 1:58 left in the third period. Shawn McNeil provided the assist. Louisiana also got points from McNeil, who also tallied one goal and three assists to lead the team in points, Hauswirth, who also registered one goal and one assist, and Bret Peppler, who also racked up one goal and one assist. More assists for Louisiana came via Alex Devillier, who had one.

Andrew Loewen made 23 saves for Columbus on 28 shots. The Cottonmouths registered one goal on four power play opportunities. For Columbus, Aide and Chris Bailer were ejected from the contest. The IceGators' starting goalie, Marco De Filippo, made 28 saves and finished with the loss before he was taken out in favor of Garrett Zemlak, who stopped 11 shots. Louisiana registered three goals on eight power play opportunities. Team's Matt Viola, Adam Stuart, and Mitchell Stretch were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game.