The Columbus Cottonmouths, who led by three goals at one point, survived a comeback attempt by the Knoxville Ice Bears and clinched a 6-4 victory.

Columbus led by three goals at one point and ended with the victory. The largest advantage in the game came when the Cottonmouths' Shawn Bates scored on the power play at 15:38 in the second period to put Columbus up 5-2.

Tyler Henry had a great game for the Cottonmouths, netting two goals. Henry's tallies came at 9:28 into the first period to make the score 2-0 Columbus and 9:59 into the third to make the score 6-4 Columbus.

Columbus forced Ice Bears' netminders to work hard to keep the puck out of the net, getting 33 shots and forcing 27 saves. Bryan Hince made 17 stops and Braely Torris made 10. The Cottonmouths surpassed their usual scoring output this season. Columbus averages 2.5 goals per game.

Columbus also got points from Louis Belisle, who also registered one goal and two assists to lead the team in points, John Jackson, who also grabbed one goal and one assist, and Bates, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Columbus also got a goal from Andy Willigar as well. More assists for Columbus came via Craig Simchuk, who had two and Ryan Whitell, Kyle Johnson, Andy Bathgate, Kyle Brodie, and Levi Lind, who each chipped in one.

With 52 shots on target during the contest, Knoxville exceeded the 28.5 shots it averages per game this year.

The Ice Bears were helped by Dennis Sicard, who racked up one goal and one assist. Sicard scored 5:34 into the second period to make the score 4-2 Columbus. Bret Peppler assisted on the tally. Knoxville additionally got points from Trever Hertz, who also had one goal and one assist. Knoxville also had goals scored by Luc Kilgore and Ben Power, who scored one goal each. In addition, Knoxville received assists from Corey Hale, Doug Reid, and Josh Cousineau, who contributed one each.

Brandon Jaeger rejected 48 shots on goal for the Cottonmouths. Columbus incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors. Knoxville totaled 31 minutes in penalty time with three minors and one major and went 0-for-2 on the power play. For the Ice Bears, Corey Fulton was ejected from the game.