The Maryland Black Bears and Johnstown Tomahawks duked it out in a game four at Piney Orchard Ice Arena with Maryland leading the series 2-1. If Maryland won, the series ends and Maryland advances. If Johnstown won, the series would go to a winner take all game five. And after a grueling sixty minutes, Johnstown prevailed with a 4-2 win.
The scoring started in the second period with goals from Johnstown forwards Jay Ahearn and Max Neill to make 2-0. Josh Nixon responded for Maryland in the third period on a power play goal to make it 2-1. Ahearn tallied again for the Tomahawks to make it 3-1. In the final minute, Black Bears’ defenseman Dylan Finley scored to make it 3-2, and Maryland had some chances to tie the game. Ultimately, it was Reed Stark for Johnstown scoring into the empty net with one second left for a 4-2 final.
Because of the loss, the Maryland Black Bears will have to travel back to Johnstown for a game five at First Summit Arena at Cambria County War Memorial against the Tomahawks. Puck drop will be at 7:00 PM ET and the game can be streamed on HockeyTV. The winner of this game will advance to round two of the Robertson Cup Playoffs and will face either the Maine Nordiques or the New Jersey Titans.
