The Maryland Black Bears returned from its bye week looking to get back on a winning track against the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks who were visiting Maryland for the first time. But the Jr. Hat Tricks got off to a hot start and never looked back, defeating the Black Bears 7-4.

Danbury got goals in the first period from forwards Gabe Dombrowski and Andrew Eberling for a 2-0 lead after the first period. Early in the second period, it was Jr. Hat Tricks’ forward Peter Lychnikov pouncing on a rebound in the crease to grow the lead to 3-0. Laker Aldridge got Maryland on the board midway through the second period, scoring on a snapshot to make it 3-1. However, Gabe Dombrowski responded for Danbury on an odd-man rush just 24 seconds later to make it 4-1. Black Bears’ forward Connor Bennett scored less than a minute after that on a rebound to make it 4-2 after two periods.

The Jr. Hat Tricks wasted no time in regaining its three-goal lead with a deflection goal from forward Jazz Krivstov to make it 5-2. Danbury got another goal on a tip from forward Richard Davis to make it 6-2. Maryland defenseman Kevin Scott scored on a wrist shot from the far boards to make it 6-3 and give the Black Bears some life. However, Gabe Dombrowski finished off his hat trick with an empty-net goal from center ice to give Danbury a 7-3 lead. Defenseman Mathew Davies recorded the last goal of the game for the Black Bears, scoring on a rebound to make the final score 7-4.

Maryland and Danbury face off again on Saturday, November 27th at Piney Orchard Ice Arena. Puck drop will be at 7:00 PM ET and the game can be streamed on HockeyTV.