The Huntsville Havoc gutted out a close 4-2 win against the Columbus Cottonmouths.

Huntsville gained the winning advantage on a goal by John McGinnis 15:31 into the third period and hung on until final buzzer.

McGinnis had two goals and one assist to lead the Havoc. McGinnis scored the first of his two goals at 9:20 into the first period to make the score 1-1. Stuart Stefan picked up the assist. McGinnis' next tally made the score 3-2 Huntsville with 4:29 left in the third period. Huntsville had taken the advantage when Columbus' Andy Bathgate got sent off for cross checking. Steve Mele assisted on the tally.

The Havoc stifled the Cottonmouths' power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. The 49 shots that Huntsville put on net surpassed the Havoc's average of 25.6 shots per game this season.

Huntsville also got points from Stefan, who also finished with one goal and two assists. Scott Henegar also scored for Huntsville. More assists for Huntsville came via Zach Josepher and Jackson Brewer, who each chipped in one.

Columbus was helped by Al Graves, who grabbed one goal. Graves scored 2:03 into the third period to make the score 2-1 Columbus. Patrick McCadden picked up the assist. Columbus also got a goal from Ben OQuinn as well. In addition, Columbus received assists from Shannon Szabados, Tyler Henry, and Shawn Bates, who contributed one each.

Kevin Genoe recorded 24 saves for Huntsville. The Havoc totaled 11 minutes in penalty time with three minors and one major and went 2-for-6 on the power play. The Cottonmouths' Szabados stopped 45 shots out of the 48 that he faced. Columbus totaled 17 minutes in penalty time with six minors and one major and went 0-for-3 on the power play.