ODENTON, MD– After a big weekend in New Hampshire, the Maryland Black Bears came back home to Piney Orchard to take on the Philadelphia Rebels on Friday night. After getting off to a quick start, Maryland's offense kept churning and the defense held down the fort to come away with a 5-0 victory on Friday.

Photo Credits : James Harding (TheArtOfPictures), Jon Pitonzo (Face Off Hockey Show Media Faction) & Kaleigh O’Connell (koc.pov)

Things got started early, as captain Dimitry Kebreau redirected a Kareem El-Bashir shot just 1:19 into the game to get the Black Bears up 1-0. Owen Lepak had a test early on a mini-breakaway, but stood tall to keep it 1-0. Late in the frame, Evan Sofikitis wired home a shot on the power play with only 1:03 remaining in the period to send the Black Bears into intermission up 2-0. In the second, Jeremi Tremblay got in on the scoring after getting a feed from Riley Ruh to make it 3-0. Less than a minute later, Kebreau got his second of the game by picking up a loose puck in the neutral zone and wiring it to the top shelf to make it 4-0 Maryland. That would be the end of the night for Philadelphia’s Jakub Krbececk, who gave way to Owen Crudale. Maryland would continue to pepper the net with Tremblay netting his second of the game off a great feed in front from Tyler Stern to make it 5-0.

The third period had the Black Bears keep the pressure on Cruwell, but some big saves stymied Maryland chances. Not to be outdone. Lepak was solid in net, stopping all 12 shots he faced in the game to secure his third shutout of the season and a Black Bears victory by a score of 5-0. These two teams will meet again Saturday night at 6:30 PM at Piney Orchard. Limited tickets are available at Tickets.MarylandBlackBears.com to celebrate St. Pucktrick’s Day at The Den.

Write up courtesy of Scott Wasilewski

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