The Pensacola Ice Flyers failed to take advantage of their power play opportunities and the Columbus Cottonmouths shook off a number of penalties to win, 5-2.

In the losing effort, Pensacola was led by Brett Lutes, who registered two goals. Lutes scored the first of his two goals at 7:23 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Pensacola. Shaun Arvai picked up the assist. Lutes' next tally made the score 4-2 Columbus with 8:18 left in the third period. The Ice Flyers earned a power play opportunity when Mike Switzer was put in the box for tripping. Steve Bergin provided the assist.

Columbus was sparked by Ben OQuinn, who grabbed one goal and one assist. OQuinn scored 18:02 into the second period to make the score 3-1 Columbus. Nick Curry assisted on the tally.

The Cottonmouths were often in penalty trouble, totaling nine minors and one major for 33 minutes in penalty time. Columbus surpassed its season average of 20.0 penalty minutes per game. The Cottonmouths average 30.2 shots on goal per game, but only sent 23 pucks on net against Pensacola.

Columbus additionally got points from Shawn Bates, who also tallied two goals and one assist to lead the team in points. Matt Gingera also scored for Columbus. More assists for Columbus came via Tyler MacPherson, Kyle Johnson, Louis Belisle, and Andy Willigar, who each chipped in one.

The Ice Flyers racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with 10 minors and one major for 35 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 16.0 minutes per game Pensacola had been spending in the box. The Ice Flyers' penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on seven Columbus power plays. Pensacola put 37 shots on net during the contest, more than the 23.9 it averages per game.

Other players who recorded assists for Pensacola were Adam Pawlick and Nick Larson, who contributed one each.

Andrew Loewen made 35 saves for Columbus on 37 shots. Max Strang rejected 18 shots on goal for the Ice Flyers. Pensacola registered one goal on six power play opportunities.