The Maryland Black Bears went a perfect 8-0-0 against the Johnstown Tomahawks last season, scoring no fewer than four goals in a single game. In their first meeting of the 2026-2027 NAHL season, the Black Bears continued their winning ways over the Tomahawks, using a four goal first period to spark an 8-1 win.

Maryland defenseman Vincent Glos started the scoring for the Black Bears, receiving a behind-the-back pass from forward Joseph Gasperko, and sent a wrist shot past Johnstown goaltender Matthew Wood for a 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later, it was forward and newly named captain Brady Anes snapping a shot from the slot to the left side of the net and in for a 2-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, forward Brayden Wade banked a shot off the back of Wood and in for a 3-0 lead, all before the game’s five-minute mark. Wood was then replaced in net by Dylan Bourque. Maryland forward Jesse Gauthier tipped home a shot as he was parked in the slot toward the end of the opening frame to make the score 4-0.

The second period saw the Black Bears continue their scoring ways as forward Matthew Shpungin slammed home a rebound for his goal as since his trade from Danbury to Maryland, making the game 5-0. Later forward Cooper Ludwar, who was making his Black Bears debut, was sent on a breakaway by forward Tanner Terranova and made a backhand-to-forehand move, tucking the puck around the skate of Bourque for a 6-0 lead. Johnstown got on the board from a point shot by Kirby Perler, bouncing off a Maryland player and in to make it 6-1. In the third period, Black Bears’ defenseman Zhenya Miles tapped home a rebound to make it 7-1, and Glos capped off the scoring with a one-timer on the power play to make it 8-1. Cole Werthman made 32 saves in his second start of the season.

Maryland and Johnstown take the ice on Saturday, September 19th, at Piney Orchard Ice Arena with puck drop set for 7:00 p.m. ET. All games can be streamed on NATV.