JOHNSTOWN, PA– In a midweek, one-off game, the Maryland Black Bears made their last trip of the regular season to Western PA to take on Johnstown. While Maryland had a very late push, they could not overcome a rough first 40 minutes and drop the Wednesday game 4-3.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 20th, 2024: BLACK BEARS (3) at Johnstown (4): Johnstown was able to get one Maryland early, establishing their forecheck and creating turnovers. Colin Ronan had to come up big a few times against Johnstown and was able to keep the game scoreless through the halfway point of the period. Maryland couldn’t find any consistent offensive zone time and were hounded in their own zone, leading to turnovers. Johnstown broke the ice in the game with Cade Baker putting home a rebound after a scramble in front to make it 1-0 with 4:09 remaining in the frame. Johnstown continued their pressure, but Ronan was able to hold off their chances to keep it 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Johnstown started off early in the second period in their transition game, as Zach Aben put home his 20th of the season to go up 2-0 from a cross-ice pass. After the goal, Maryland had one of their best chances in the game so far with a scrum in front, but couldn’t find the loose puck to put into the open net. While Maryland had the pressure, Johnstown used their transition game to make it 3-0 with another cross-ice pass with Reid Lune being the benefactor to increase Johnstown’s lead. Michael Urgo tried to get a spark from his team, fighting with Lune, which ended with them getting a major and misconduct for their troubles. Maryland got a little more jump in their step and had some solid chances on a power play later in the frame, but could not find the back of the net. Johnstown would get a late power play and connect with Will Lawrence making it 4-0 after jamming in a loose puck into the goal, which would be the scoreline at the end of two periods.
The Black Bears got on the board towards the middle of the third with Dylan Gordon cutting through the offensive zone and putting it five-hole on Jacob Osborne to make it 4-1. Maryland would continue to press against the net trying to get some momentum going. Johnstown would counterattack, but the defense made sure to keep them out of high traffic areas. With the goalie pulled late, Riley Ruh redirected a Sebastian Brockman point shot to make it a 4-2 game. One minute later, still with an extra attacker, Ryder Nienhuis put home a shot that redirected into the net off a Johnstown shin pad. However, it was too little, too late with the Black Bears running out of time before the equalizer, dropping the midweek tilt 4-3.
The Black Bears come back home for a Friday and Saturday stand against Rochester. Tickets are limited, so check Tickets.MarylandBlackBears.com for availability. It’s Guns and Hoses weekend, which speciality jerseys up for auction on DASH Auction.
Write up courtesy of Scott Wasilewski
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