HOOKSETT, NH– The Maryland Black Bears set their eyes north in their first trip to New Hampshire to take on the Mountain Kings. Coming off being swept, the Black Bears were determined to get some of their swagger back. After a Friday win, the Black Bears came up short Saturday to split the weekend. 

Photo Credit: James Harding, My Art Of Pictures & Jon Pitonzo, FOHS Media Faction

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17th, 2023: BLACK BEARS (4) at New Hampshire (3): Maryland got on the board early, as Matthew Croxall potted his seventh of the year on a shot that fooled Aiden Wright and gave the Black Bears the 1-0 lead only 2:43 in the game. New Hampshire would pressure the Black Bears net, but Colin Ronan was strong in his crease to start the game. It wasn’t until midway through the period where New Hampshire would break through on the power play with Hunter Fetterolf found a rebound and got it past Ronan to tie the score. 

The middle frame was all Black Bears, as they peppered the New Hampshire net to the tune of 21 shots in the second, finding the net three times. It started with Croxall, again, lit the lamp; coming off the bench and going right into the slot where Kareem El-Bashir found him for his eighth of the year. Less than a minute later, Jeremi Tremblay continued his scoring tear, finding a loose puck out in front and going backhand past Wright to make it 3-1 Maryland. Tremblay would finish off the three-goal frame with a redirect shot off an El-Bashir pass to put Maryland up 4-1. New Hampshire would get one back late with Kim Hilmersson ripping home a snapshot to make it 4-2 after 40 minutes. 

Maryland were on their heels a bit in the third, with New Hampshire trying to dig out of the two-goal hole, but the defense and Ronan were solid through to keep the game at 4-2. With under five minutes to go, Josh Doolan was left unchecked and put one over the glove of Ronan to cut Maryland’s lead to one. The Black Bears stood strong and held the last five minutes under their thumb to get the 4-3 win. 

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 18th, 2023: BLACK BEARS (0) at New Hampshire (2): The first period yielded nothing for either side, as Owen Lepak and Aiden Wright kept their sheets clean. Maryland did create some offense with two power plays, but couldn’t find a hole through Wright.

The second period started with Maryland maintaining zone time, but couldn’t get many threats on net. New Hampshire struck first with Cameron Stehle putting a shot past Lepak 4:31 into the middle frame. The Black Bears looked to get back into the game, with chances but nothing able to break the goal line. Even with a power play late, the Black Bears couldn’t find the equalizer. Late in the frame, New Hampshire went up by two goals with Tommy McDonough going top shelf to make it 2-0 through 40 minutes. 

Both sides traded power plays in the early portion of the third period, but neither were able to crack the scoreboard. Lepak was peppered in the middle of the frame, but held his ground to keep the Black Bears in it, while the defense was clearing away any rebound threat. However, even with an extra attacker late, the Black Bears couldn’t find a goal and settle for a weekend split. 

Maryland is back home after Thanksgiving, with two games against Danbury. Tickets are available at Tickets.MarylandBlackBears.com or the Piney Orchard Box Office.