The Maryland Black Bears entered the night losing four of its past five games and needed a jolt. Maryland got just that in a 5-2 win over the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks that saw a line brawl and goalie fight occur in the second period of action.

The Black Bears started the game with an explosive four-goal first period. The scoring started when Maryland forward Tyler Young received a pass in the crease from Jacob Brockman and tapped into an empty net to make it 1-0. Then, 38 seconds later, Black Bears’ forward Jacob Brockman got his second assist of the period when he hit  Maryland defenseman Jack Blanchett with a cross-ice pass as Blanchett pinched into the zone from the point and let a wrist shot go top right side past Danbury goalie Marino Ramirez to make it 2-0. Later in the period, Black Bears forward Dimitry Kebreau tipped a shot from Maryland defenseman Kevin Scott into the goal from the slot to make it 3-0. Black Bears ‘ forward Laker Aldridge then scored on a wrist shot on a two-on-one opportunity to make it 4-0.

The second period was just as chaotic as the first period but in a much different way. The Jr. Hat Tricks got goals from forwards Gabe Dombrowski and Luka Sukovic to make the score 4-2. But later in the frame, Jr. Hat Trick’s forward Hunter Young hit Maryland forward Jesse Horacek from behind, triggering a line brawl and goalie fight. The resulting brawl saw the Black Bears forced to replaced goalie Michael Morelli with the backup for the night’s action Luca Di Pasquo. Similarly, Danbury had to replace Ramirez with Connor McDonough. The madness resulted in a five-minute power play for Maryland that was unsuccessful. However, Black Bears’ Ryan Bottrill was able to capitalize on the turnover from Jr. Hat Trick’s goalie Connor McDonough to make it 5-2. This score would hold up to be the final.

The Black Bears and Jr. Hat Tricks will rematch Saturday night at Piney Orchard Ice Arena with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 PM ET. Saturday night will also be Maryland’s annual Guns and Hoses night, honoring the brave men and women of the police and fire departments in the area. All games can be streamed on HockeyTV.