HOOKSETT, NH– After a humbling weekend, the Maryland Black Bears were looking for redemption, as they made their last trip up to New Hampshire to take on the Mountain Kings. Maryland responded with a flurry of goals on Friday, while winning a much tighter game Saturday to take home the weekend sweep.
FRIDAY MARCH 8th, 2024: BLACK BEARS (8) at New Hampshire (2): Maryland was able to keep possession to themselves for the majority of the period. While New Hampshire did have a couple of attempts, Owen Lepak was solid and the defense kept threats to the outside. The Black Bears struck first with Jesse Horacek netting his 15th of the year on a rebound in front to break the ice 7:39 into the first. From there, it was all gas, no brake for the Black Bears. Matthew Croxall would score a highlight reel goal, dangling through the defense to score his 11th of the year thanks to the turnover created by Tyler Stern in the neutral zone. The goals continued with Ray Perrault redirecting an Evan Sofikitis shot into the net to make it 3-0, while Croxall would add his second of the game with a backhanded shot off a Stern rebound to make it 4-0 after 20 minutes.
New Hampshire would try to make up some ground, as they began to get some sustained pressure on their offensive zone, but Lepak was solid to keep his sheet clean. However, New Hampshire would score off a turnover in the neutral zone that led to a Kim Hilmersson breakaway goal to make it 4-1. The Black Bears would shake that goal off and get back on the offensive, as Sofikitis would notch his third of the year off a tremendous passing play to make it 5-1. Dimitry Kebreau tallied an assist, giving him 103 points all-time with the Black Bears, tying him with Branden Piku for top spot in franchise history. Less than two minutes later, Riley Ruh would get in on the fun with his 11th of the season, cutting across the top of the circles and ripping home the 6-1 goal just before intermission.
Maryland kept the good times rolling, as Michael Urgo netted his first NAHL goal corralling a rebound in front to tuck it in and make it 7-1. Minutes later, Matthew Croxall completed his hat trick with a diving effort in front to make it 8-2 for the Black Bears. New Hampshire got a goal back on the power play from Tommy McDonough, but the Maryland defense was able to lock up the rest of the game and secure Owen Lepak his 13th win of the season. For the Black Bears, it was the second time in team history they registered eight goals in a game. The first was September 30th, 2022 against New Jersey.
SATURDAY MARCH 9th, 2024: BLACK BEARS (3) at New Hampshire (2): Maryland tried to have the quick start as they did a night before, but even with sustained pressure in the offensive zone; they couldn’t find the back of the net. New Hampshire thought they had a goal in the middle part of the frame, but after official review; the backhanded shot hit the crossbar and post before popping out. Neither team could convert on their shortened power plays and headed into the intermission tied at zero.
It was a special team heavy second period, with all goals scored with the man-advantage. Maryland would strike first with Dimitry Kebreau redirecting a Sam Stitz shot for his 14th of the season. It was also Kebreau’s 104th all-time with the Black Bears, setting the franchise record for points. In their second power play of the period, the Black Bears struck again with Luke Rubin finishing off a great passing play for his seventh of the season to make it 2-0 Maryland. The Black Bears were dominating the time of possession and zone time, but did take a few penalties in the middle part of the frame. New Hampshire capitalized on one with Rylan Yates putting home a rebound in front to cut Maryland’s lead to 2-1, which is where it stood after 40 minutes.
The Black Bears kept the pressure on thanks to an early power play, but couldn’t find the back of the net during the man-advantage. New Hampshire would even the game up with Ethan Rosenoff scoring at 8:31 in the third. The Black Bears got another power play at the middle of the frame and Stitz redirected a shot from Rubin to make it 3-2 for Maryland. The defense and Colin Ronan would take it from there, shutting down any New Hampshire threats and taking home the sweep with a 3-2 victory.
The Black Bears are back home at Piney Orchard this weekend to take on the Philadelphia Rebels. Tickets are available at Tickets.MarylandBlackBears.com with limited tickets at the Piney Orchard box office. If you can’t get to Odenton, all action will be available on NAHL TV.
Write up courtesy of Scott Wasilewski
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