The Knoxville Ice Bears tried their best to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Fayetteville FireAntz would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-4.

Fayetteville took a 5-3 lead during the third period, only to have Knoxville storm back on a Kyle VanderMale goal 18:00 into the third period to pull to one goal down.

The 42 shots that the FireAntz put on net surpassed Fayetteville's average of 23 shots per game this season.

The FireAntz were helped by Robert Sich, who racked up two goals. Sich scored the first of his two goals at 8:45 into the second period to make the score 2-1 Fayetteville. Chris Leveille assisted on the tally. Sich's next tally made the score 3-2 Fayetteville with 6:06 left in the second period. A hooking penalty on Steve Wiedler had put Fayetteville on the power play. Josh McQuade picked up the assist. Fayetteville also got points from Jesse Cole, who also tallied one goal and one assist. Fayetteville got a goal from Mike Forgie as well. More assists for Fayetteville came via Jesse Biduke, who had two and Matt Smyth, Matt Rigtrup, and Chris Rebernik, who contributed one each.

The Ice Bears' offense efficiently hummed along to the tune of 41 shots put on the FireAntz's net. Knoxville's penalty killing units received substantial work throughout the game as the Ice Bears finished with 26 penalty minutes. The leading offender was Emery Olauson, who totaled 14 minutes in penalty time with two minors and one misconduct.

Tyler Fletcher also scored for Knoxville. In addition, Knoxville received assists from Brett Valliquette, who had two and Ricky Helmbrecht, Eric Slais, Mike Towns, and Berkley Scott, who each chipped in one.

Fayetteville's Mike Brown stopped 37 shots out of the 41 that he faced. The FireAntz incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Kyle Rank made 37 saves for Knoxville on 42 shots. The Ice Bears registered one goal on five power play opportunities.