Mississippi RiverKings tried its best to erase a two-goal deficit, but the Columbus Cottonmouths would not be denied the victory and hung on to win, 5-4.

Columbus made the score 5-3 on a goal by Ben OQuinn at 13:29 in the second period, and Mississippi RiverKings got as close as 5-4 when Reid Campbell scored 6:21 into the third period.

The Cottonmouths got the win thanks to a great game by Will Aide, who had one goal and two assists. Aide scored 17:51 into the first period to make the score 3-1 Columbus. Craig Simchuk assisted on the tally.

Columbus put up an impenetrable defensive front on the penalty kill, and did not allow Mississippi RiverKings to score on any of its three power plays. The 37 shots that the Cottonmouths put on net surpassed Columbus' average of 30.0 shots per game this season.

Columbus additionally got points from Simchuk, who also racked up one goal and one assist and Shawn Bates, who also registered one goal and one assist. Louis Belisle also scored for Columbus. In addition, Columbus received assists from Patrick McCadden and Mike Switzer, who contributed one each.

Mississippi RiverKings' defense let in more goals than it usually has this year. Mississippi RiverKings gives up 2.5 goals per game. With 52 shots on target during the contest, Mississippi RiverKings exceeded the 25.4 shots it averages per game this year.

Mississippi RiverKings was helped by Matt Whitehead, who had two goals. Whitehead scored the first of his two goals at 13:47 into the first period to make the score 2-1 Columbus. Whitehead's next tally made the score 3-2 Columbus with 16:37 left in the second period. Linden Bahm provided the assist. Mississippi RiverKings also got a goal from Ryan Marcuz as well. More assists for Mississippi RiverKings came via Corey Leivermann, who had two and Devin Mantha, Mike Hayward, Andrew Randazzo, and Sean Jones, who each chipped in one.

Shannon Szabados made 48 saves for the Cottonmouths on 52 shots. Columbus incurred 20 minutes in penalty time with five minors. Adam Courchaine rejected 32 shots on goal for Mississippi RiverKings. Mississippi RiverKings incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.