The Maryland Black Bears defeated the Minnesota Magicians 2-1 in their first game of the North American Hockey Leauge (NAHL) Showcase Tournament held in Blaine, Minnesota. The victory also represents the first win of the 2019-2020 NAHL Season for the Black Bears. The tournament epitomizes why the North American Hockey League is known as the “League of Opportunity.” Scouts from all over the world come to this tournament to evaluate the hockey talent to determine which players have the potential to play at the college and professional level.

The Maryland Black Bears scored the first goal of the entire NAHL Showcase Tournament in the first period. Veteran Defenseman, Logan Kons lit the lamp with a quick wrist shot off a faceoff. Thomas Jarman and Aden Bruich both earned assists on the early strike. The Magicians spent little time to respond to the Black Bears goal. Marko Reifenberger answered the Black Bears goal with assists from Jonathan Ziskie and Garret Szeremley to even the score at one apiece.

The second period was a defensive battle. Gridlock ensued throughout the period and no goals were scored on either side. The score remained tied at one after forty minutes of play.

The low scoring affair continued into the third and final period. Jonathan Young broke the tie with a beautiful top-shelf snipe with assists from Aden Bruich and Logan Kittleson. The strike from Young ended up being the game-winning goal as the Maryland Black Bears held on to a final score of 2-1. Black Bears goalie played exceptionally well by stopping 28 of 29 shots.

The Black Bears will play three more games in Blaine, MN during the NAHL Showcase Tournament. Tomorrow they face off against the Fairbanks Ice Dogs at 3:30 PM CDT in the Super Rink (#3). Then they will finish the tournament with contests against the Janesville Jets and Minot Minotaruos.