Maryland dropped its first game in regulation last night, losing 3-1 to the Elmira Aviators. The Black Bears and Aviators took the ice again on Saturday, and despite a back-and-forth hockey game, it was a late third period power play goal from forward Brayden Wade that lifted Maryland to a 4-3 win against Elmira. 

The Aviators struck first with a power play goal from forward Nico-Patrik Pohjola, who slid the puck past Black Bears goaltender Michael Iliff for a 1-0 lead. The second period was hectic, with the two teams combining for five goals in four minutes and 45 seconds. Wade started the scoring, snapping a rebound past the glove hand of Elmira goaltender Connor O’Brien to tie the game at 1-1. Just a minute and 14 seconds later, Aviators forward Max Campbell responded with a wrist shot goal from the slot to make it 2-1 for Elmira. Maryland responded with a one-time goal from forward Matthew Shpungin from the far circle to make the score 2-2. 39 seconds later, Aviators forward Lucas Novak slammed home a rebound to regain the lead 3-2, only for Black Bears defenseman Vincent Glos to charge in on a breakaway and send a wrist shot into the top right corner to tie the game at 3-3. 

The game remained tied until late in the third period, when Maryland was rewarded a power play with just 5:43 to go in regulation. The Black Bears won the face-off, and forward Tanner Terranova sent the puck on goal, where Wade tipped home his second of the game to give Maryland a 4-3 lead that they would not relinquish. Iliff made 21 saves in the win while O’Brien made 32 saves in the loss. 

The Black Bears will hit the road for the next four weekends, starting on Friday, October 16th, at 7:00 p.m. ET against the Northeast Generals. All games can be streamed on NATV.