The Knoxville Ice Bears had trouble finding ways to stop the Columbus Cottonmouths, which beat Ice Bears, 5-2.

Matt Gingera was all over the ice for Columbus, as he tallied two goals in the win. Gingera scored at 7:00 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Columbus and again while 12:51 into the third to make the score 3-0 Columbus.

The Cottonmouths pulled out the victory even though they were hit with 16 penalty minutes.

Columbus stifled Knoxville's power play, and did not give up a single goal while down a man. The Cottonmouths' goal total was higher than their season average. Columbus averages 2.9 goals per game. The Cottonmouths relied on a core group of players for most of their offense, as Sam Bowles, John Sullivan and Gingera took 14 of the team's 22 shots.

Alex MacLeod also scored for Columbus. More assists for Columbus came via Jordan Braid, who had two and Brett Hammond, Levi Lind, Tom Fitzpatrick, and Bret Tyler, who contributed one a piece.

The Ice Bears failed to reach their usual level of shot production, putting 19 pucks on goal after averaging 28.3 shots per game this season.

Knoxville was led by Peter Neal, who registered two goals. Neal scored the first of his two goals at 15:18 into the third period to make the score 3-1 Columbus. Tyler Fernandez provided the assist. Neal's next tally made the score 4-2 Columbus with 3:31 left in the third period. Jeremy Klaver assisted on the tally. In addition, Knoxville received assists from Berkley Scott, who had one.

Columbus' Ian Vigier stopped 17 shots out of the 19 that he faced. The Cottonmouths registered one goal on four power play opportunities. Connor Toomey made 17 saves for the Ice Bears on 21 shots. Knoxville totaled 15 minutes in penalty time with five minors and one major and went 0-for-6 on the power play.