The Columbus Cottonmouths had a three-goal lead after two periods and cruised the rest of the way en route to a 5-1 win over the Knoxville Ice Bears.

With the win, Columbus avoided elimination to make the series score 1-1 in the best of three series.

Andy Willigar had two goals and one assist to lead the Cottonmouths. Willigar scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 12:53 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Columbus. Columbus had gotten the advantage when Knoxville's Jarrett Rush was sent off for tripping. Matt Gingera picked up the assist. Willigar's next tally on the power play made the score 3-0 Columbus with 5:50 left in the second period. The Cottonmouths had taken the advantage when the Ice Bears' Robbie Donahoe got sent off for holding. Neilsson Arcibal assisted on the tally.

Knoxville was stymied by Columbus' netminder Andrew Loewen, who stopped 37 shots during the victory. The solid play of Loewen will be reflected in his goals against average, which pre-game was 2.71.

The Ice Bears were unable to stop the Cottonmouths from sending pucks towards the net, and Columbus eventually piled up 47 shots on goal.

Bryce Williamson also scored for Columbus. In addition, Columbus received assists from Patrick McCadden, who had one and Ben OQuinn, who had two.

Knoxville's offense rang up 38 shots on the Cottonmouths' net.

Columbus totaled 39 minutes in penalty time with 12 minors and one major and went 3-for-7 on the power play. The Ice Bears' Braely Torris stopped 42 shots out of the 47 that he faced. Knoxville totaled 57 minutes in penalty time with 11 minors and one major and went 1-for-8 on the power play.