The Columbus Cottonmouths were firing on all cylinders against the Fayetteville FireAntz, and when the final buzzer sounded Cottonmouths emerged with a 4-1 win.

Columbus' Brandon Jaeger was a brick wall in net, as he came up with 35 saves and let only one puck past him. Jaeger managed to improve on his goals against average, which stood at 2.6 prior to the game.

Shawn Bates had two goals to lead the Cottonmouths to victory. Bates found the back of the net 1:07 into the second period to make the score 2-0 Columbus and again while 9:07 into the third to make the score 4-0 Columbus.

Columbus put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Fayetteville to score on any of its three power plays.

Columbus also had goals scored by Andy Bathgate and Patrick McCadden, who each put in one. In addition, Columbus received assists from Ryan Whitell, Kyle Brodie, Andy Willigar, and Kyle Shapiro, who contributed one each and Kyle Johnson and Cody Freeman, who each chipped in two.

The FireAntz were held below their usual level of production. Fayetteville averages 3.1 goals per game. The FireAntz's offense rang up 36 shots on the Cottonmouths' net.

Fayetteville was led by Joe Tolles, who took two shots.

Columbus totaled 11 minutes in penalty time with three minors and one major and went 1-for-4 on the power play. Parker Van Buskirk recorded 20 saves for the FireAntz. Fayetteville ended with 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major.