The Columbus Cottonmouths pulled out a 5-4 (OT) overtime victory over the Knoxville Ice Bears on a clutch goal by Sam Bowles.

Jordan Braid had a great game for Columbus, netting two goals. Braid scored at 6:56 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Columbus and again while 1:32 into the fourth to make the score 6-4 Columbus.

The Cottonmouths excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in four chances. Columbus surpassed its usual scoring output this season. The Cottonmouths have scored at the pace of 2.9 goals per game during the current campaign. Columbus relied on a core group of players for most of its offense, as Alex MacLeod, Braid and Bowles took 12 of the team's 21 shots.

Columbus also got a goal from Jason Yuel as well. More assists for Columbus came via Tom Maldonado, who had four, Biff McNally and Levi Lind, who each chipped in one, and Matt Gingera and Bret Tyler, who contributed two a piece.

The 39 shots that Knoxville put on net surpassed the Ice Bears' average of 30.3 shots per game this season.

Knoxville was helped by Matt Pierce, who racked up one goal and one assist. Pierce scored 11:45 into the first period to make the score 3-3. Jeremy Klaver assisted on the tally. Knoxville additionally got points from Tyler Fernandez, who also tallied one goal and one assist and Emery Olauson, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Brad Pawlowski also scored for Knoxville. In addition, Knoxville received assists from Ricky Helmbrecht, Berkley Scott, and Dan Bremner, who each chipped in one.

The Cottonmouths' Ian Vigier stopped 35 shots out of the 39 that he faced. Columbus incurred 10 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Connor Toomey made 16 saves for the Ice Bears on 21 shots. Knoxville incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors.