The Augusta RiverHawks tried their best to erase a four-goal deficit, but the Fayetteville FireAntz would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 4-3.

Fayetteville made the score 4-0 on a goal by Josh McQuade at 16:06 in the first period, and Augusta got as close as 4-3 when Kyle Watson scored 15:14 into the third period.

The FireAntz's penalty kill unit could not stop the RiverHawks' power play, which converted on two of three opportunities. Fayetteville relied on a core group of players for most of its offense, as McQuade, Brian Elser and Andrew Smale took 20 of the team's 39 shots.

The FireAntz were led by Mike Gurtler, who tallied one goal and one assist. Gurtler scored on the power play 7:54 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Fayetteville. Fayetteville had gotten the advantage when Augusta's Watson was sent off for interference. Brandon Richardson picked up the assist. Fayetteville also got points from Richardson, who also had one goal and one assist. Other players who recorded assists for Fayetteville were Marco Emond, Derek Elliott, Ben Contini, Kyle McNeil, and Tristin Llewellyn, who contributed one a piece.

The 38 shots that the RiverHawks put on net surpassed Augusta's average of 28.6 shots per game this season.

The RiverHawks were helped by Shawn Skelly, who racked up one goal. Skelly scored 14:25 into the second period to make the score 4-2 Fayetteville. Taylor McReynolds assisted on the tally. Augusta additionally got points from Ian Watters, who also registered one goal and one assist and Watson, who also finished with one goal and one assist to lead the team in points. In addition, Augusta received assists from Drew Baker, Jason Price, and William Lacasse, who each chipped in one.

Marco Emond made 35 saves for the FireAntz on 38 shots. Fayetteville totaled 11 minutes in penalty time with three minors and one major and went 1-for-3 on the power play. BJ OBrien recorded 35 saves for Augusta. The RiverHawks ended with 11 minutes in penalty time with three minors and one major.