The Maryland Black Bears secured a victory against the Jamestown Rebels to end their seven-game losing streak with a 4-2 win on Friday night. Newly acquired Black Bears Hunter Brackett (F), Aaron Swanson (F), Jack Smiley (F), and Aaron Randazzo (G) all made their home debuts.

Maryland struck first with Hunter Brackett scoring his first as a Black Bear. Bracket forced a turnover in the offensive zone and the puck went to Maryland forward Brayden Stannard. Stannard fed the puck back to Brackett who slammed it home for a 1-0 lead after one period.

The Rebels struck back in the first minute of the second period on the powerplay with a goal from forward Janis Vizbelis. Vizbelis had the puck at the point and shot the puck through a screen and in for a 1-1 tie.  Brayden Stannard responded later that period to put the Black Bears up 2-1. Maryland forward Reid Leibold passed the puck to Stannard in the slot who shot it top-shelf for the lead. Stannard scored a second goal just over three minutes later on a breakaway, scoring on the backhand for a 3-1 lead.

Jamestown did not back down. Team captain Eric Olson shot the puck through a screen to cut the deficit to 3-2. Despite chances by the Rebels, Brayden Stannard ended the comeback bid with a slapshot goal for the hat trick and a 4-2 lead that would hold up as a final score.

Maryland goalie Aaron Randazzo got third star of the game, forward Reid Leibold earned second star of the game, and forward Brayden Stannard was awarded first star of the game.

The Black Bears face-off against the Jamestown Rebels in game two of the series Saturday nights at Piney Orchard Ice Arena with puck drop at 7:45 PM ET. Groundhog Day will be celebrated at the game with the team groundhog and legend, Bucky.