The Maryland Black Bears took the ice Friday night as they hosted the Rochester Jr. Americans on the first night of its annual Guns N’ Hoses weekend with a chance to clinch a top-two spot in the North American Hockey League’s East Division and a bye week through the East Division’s playoff play-in round. And thanks to three powerplay goals in the second period, the Black Bears did just that, defeating the Jr. Americans 4-3.

Maryland started the scoring just 3:30 into the hockey game, where defenseman Raymond Perrault threw a wrist shot on goal from the point, through a screen, and past the glove of Rochester goaltender Florian Wade for a 1-0. The Jr. Americans responded with a rebound goal from forward Jaden Dyke late in the first period to tie the game 1-1. 

Rochester took the lead early in the second period when forward Gabe Randel stole a stretch pass in the offensive zone and ripped the puck to the top left corner past Black Bears’ goaltender Owen Lepak to make it 2-1. Shortly after, Jr. Americans’ forward Massimo Gentile was awarded a penalty shot after being tripped on a breakaway. However, Lepak stood tall and made a huge blocker save as the puck was shot to the low blocker side.

The Jr. Americans got into penalty trouble in the second period and Maryland was able to capitalize. While on a five-on-three powerplay, Black Bears’ forward Jesse Horacek let a one-time slap shot go from the near circle to the top right corner and a 2-2 tie. Later in the period, Rochester forward Keanan Downlee hit Maryland forward Jeremi Tremblay from behind, earning him a five minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. Black Bears’ forward David Utkin struck early in the major powerplay on a one-time snap shot from the near circle for a 3-2 lead. Tremblay was able to cash in a rebound in the final 30 seconds of the major to make it 4-2. Rochester was able to claw to within a goal when forward Matteo Disipio buried a rebound to make it 4-3, but it was not enough as Maryland held on for the win. Lepak made 30 saves in the win.

Maryland and Rochester rematch on Saturday evening with puck drop scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET at Piney Orchard Ice Arena. All games can be streamed on NAHLTV.