The Huntsville Havoc had trouble finding ways to stop the Columbus Cottonmouths, which beat Havoc, 5-1.

Columbus' Shannon Szabados was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 34 saves and let only one puck past him. Szabados certainly lowered his goals against average, which was 3.13 entering the contest.

The Cottonmouths were paced by Nick Curry, who finished with one goal. Curry scored 6:37 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Columbus. Shawn Bates picked up the assist.

Referees had their hands full with a major incident at 17:17 into the third period. Four fighting penalties were dished out along with four game misconducts.

Columbus was often in penalty trouble, totaling four minors and three majors for 43 minutes in penalty time. The Cottonmouths surpassed its season average of 20.0 penalty minutes per game. Columbus put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Huntsville to score on any of its four power plays.

Columbus additionally got points from Louis Belisle, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, Matt Gingera, who also had one goal and one assist, and Bates, who also registered one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. Columbus also got a goal from Bryce Williamson as well. More assists for Columbus came via Ben OQuinn and Andy Willigar, who each chipped in one.

The Havoc racked up the penalties in the contest, and ended with four minors and three majors for 53 minutes in penalty time. Huntsville had been averaging 24.0 minutes in penalties per game. The Havoc's penalty kill was spotless, allowing no goals on three Columbus power plays. The Cottonmouths were unable to stop Huntsville from sending pucks towards the net, and the Havoc eventually piled up 35 shots on goal.

Huntsville was led by Justin Cseter, who scored the team's only goal. Cseter scored short handed 17:50 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Columbus. The Havoc found themselves down a man on Robert Davis's verbal abuse of officials. Luke Greiner provided the assist.

Team's Will Aide and Chris Bailer were slapped with misconducts and ejected from the game. Kevin Genoe recorded 23 saves for Huntsville. For the Havoc, Davis and Aaron McGill were ejected from the contest.