After a 6-2 loss to the Northeast Generals the night before, the Maryland Black Bears looked to bounce back as they continue to eye its first regular season East Division title since joining the North American Hockey League. And in a gritty game with a playoff atmosphere, Maryland took a step closer to that goal, defeating the Generals in a rematch by the score of 4-1.

The scoring started in a controversial fashion in the first period, as Black Bears forward Dimitry Kebreau let a wrist shot go from the slot into the top right corner of the net to make it 1-0. However, the officials initially said the puck did not go in. After talking the play over with the goal judge, the officials counted the goal to give Maryland the lead. Black Bears’ forward Adam Schankula buried a rebound home at the top of the crease to make it 2-0.

Scoring resumed just 29 seconds into the second period, where Northeast forward Andrew DellaDonna put home the rebound generated by his shot on the breakaway to make it 2-1. The Generals got opportunities to claw back into the game, but Black Bears’ goalie William Hakansson stood tall to preserve the lead. Maryland forward Christian Catalano would add some insurance on a breakaway goal late in the third period to make it 3-1. Black Bears forward Gabriel Westling capped off the scoring with an empty net goal making the score 4-1, a score that would hold up as the final.

Maryland hits the road next Friday and Saturday to take on the Philadelphia Rebels. After a bye week the following weekend, the Black Bears will return home for its final two home games of the regular season on Friday, April 14th, and Saturday, April 15th against the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks. All games can be streamed on HockeyTV.