The Maryland Black Bears started 2023 out on a high note on Friday night, defeating its East Division rival Maine Nordiques 6-2. The rematch on Saturday night proved to be a much tighter contest, but with the help of a highlight reel goal from Maryland forward Christian Catalano late in the third period, the Black Bears were able to complete the two-game sweep of Maine with a 4-3 win.

The Nordiques struck first with a rebound goal from forward Laurent Trepanier, tapping the puck in the crease past Maryland goalie William Hakansson to make it 1-0. The Black Bears responded in the second period with Christian Catalano’s first of the game, as he got his own rebound after hitting the far post and buried the puck past Maine goalie Kael Depape to tie the game at 1-1. Maryland forward Kal Essenmacher made it 2-1 later in the second period, scoring on a rebound while on the powerplay to give the Black Bears the lead. However, with just 1:23 to go in the second period, Nordiques’ forward Jonny Meiers was able to score on a rebound to tie the game 2-2 heading into the third period.

Maine struck just over a minute into the third period with a snap shot goal by forward Henrik Hallberg from the slot to make it 3-2 Nordiques. Maryland was able to respond later in the period with a snap shot goal by forward Hunter Ramos, who tallied his second goal of the weekend to make it 3-3. Then, with 4:02 to go in the game, Christian Catalano scored a highlight reel goal. Catalano took the puck from coast to coast, cutting through all five Nordiques skaters, and finished with a forehand to backhand move to put the Black Bears up 4-3, a lead they would not relinquish. William Hakansson made 22 saves in his 16th win of the season for Maryland.

The Black Bears hit the road