After defeating the New Jersey Titans 5-0 on opening night, the Maryland Black Bears looked to cap the weekend off with its first-ever opening weekend sweep. The Titans had other plans, however, downing the Black Bears 4-3 in overtime.
The scoring started for New Jersey with a powerplay goal by defenseman Jack Karlsson to make it 1-0. Forward Branden Piku responded for Maryland, tying the game with a wrist shot to make it 1-1. Titans’ forward Tommy Bannister responded with a shorthanded goal to make it 2-1.
Piku tied the game for Maryland in the third period one a one-handed wrap-around goal to make it 2-2. One minute and 38 seconds later, Black Bears’ forward Ryan Bottrill scored on a rebound to make it 3-2 in favor of Maryland. New Jersey responded just a minute later with a goal from forward Jake LaRusso to make it 3-3. The game would go to overtime, where Titans’ forward Brandon Avezov buried a rebound in overtime to win it for New Jersey 4-3. Maryland secured three of a possible four points in its first series of the season.
The Black Bears will now travel to Blaine, Minnesota for the North American Hockey League showcase. The showcase starts Wednesday, September 15th with Maryland facing the Corpus Christi Ice Rays. Maryland will play through Saturday, September 18th, with games against the Wichita Fall Warriors, Odessa Jackalopes, and the Chippewa Steel. The Black Bears return home Friday, September 24th with a game against the Maine Nordiques.
