The Knoxville Ice Bears survived a determined comeback attempt by the Columbus Cottonmouths on the way to a 5-3 win.

A goal by Eric Satim put Knoxville up 5-0 in the third period, but Columbus pulled to within two on Tom Fitzpatrick's tally 14:59 into the third period.

Berkley Scott had two goals and one assist to lead the Ice Bears. Scott scored the first of his two goals at 9:07 into the second period to make the score 3-0 Knoxville. Emery Olauson assisted on the tally. Scott's next tally made the score 4-0 Knoxville with 1:57 left in the second period. Knoxville had taken the advantage when the Cottonmouths' Kyle Johnson got sent off for elbowing. Olauson provided the assist.

The Ice Bears were often in penalty trouble, totaling eight minors and two majors for 56 minutes in penalty time. The total exceeded the 24.0 minutes per game Knoxville had been spending in the box. The Ice Bears average 33.1 shots on goal per game, but only sent 24 pucks on net against Columbus.

Knoxville also got points from Satim, who also finished with one goal and two assists. Peter Neal also scored for Knoxville. In addition, Knoxville received assists from Shaun Arvai, Mark Van Vliet, Dan Bremner, and Matt Pierce, who contributed one a piece.

The Cottonmouths forced their penalty killing units to work especially hard during the game, picking up five minors and two majors for 50 minutes in penalty time. Columbus surpassed its season average of 22.0 penalty minutes per game. The Cottonmouths' normally stingy defense allowed more goals than usual. Columbus gives up 2.5 goals per game.

Columbus also got a goal from Brett Hammond as well. Other players who recorded assists for Columbus were Bret Tyler, who had two and John Sullivan, Jonathan Redlick, and Sam Bowles, who each chipped in one.

Kyle Rank took the win and made 11 saves before being replaced by Connor Toomey who made 14 saves. Knoxville registered two goals on two power play opportunities. For the Ice Bears, Toomey was ejected from the game. The Cottonmouths took out Andrew Loewen after he had made 12 saves and installed Ian Vigier in goal, where he finished with seven saves and the loss. Columbus registered one goal on five power play opportunities. The Cottonmouths ran into serious disciplinary problems during the contest, and Andrew Loewen was ejected from the game.