The Maine Nordiques took game one of the East Division Final against the Maryland Black Bears Friday night with a 2-0 win, giving themselves a chance to push the Black Bears to the brink of elimination and headed back to Lewiston, Maine, for game three of the best-of-five series. However, the Black Bears responded with a shutout win of their own, as they rode a goal from forward Samuel Stitz and 30 saves from Owen Lepak to take game two 1-0 and tie the series at 1-1.

The lone goal came just 5:47 into the first period when the Nordiques turned the puck over on the far side of their offensive zone. Maryland defenseman Trayce Johnson intercepted the clear attempt and dropped the puck to Stitz on the far circle, who beat Maine goaltender Carter Richardson with a snap shot to the top right corner for the lone goal of the game to make it 1-0. But the game did not end without drama. With just 9.8 seconds to go, Nordiques’ defenseman Nick Bernardo threw the puck on goal from the near point and the puck bounced around the near side as players converged. A few Maine players began to celebrate, and the uncertainty led to a late game review. The review was quick, however, as the officials deemed it no goal. Maryland held on for the 1-0 win.

With the series tied at 1-1, the East Division Final will go at least four games for the second consecutive year. Games three and four will be played at The Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Game three will be Friday, May 10th, at 7:30 p.m. ET while game four will be Saturday, May 11th, at 2 p.m. ET. If the series ends up going to a winner-take-all all game five, it will be played on Sunday, May 12th at Piney Orchard Ice Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET. All games can be streamed on NAHLTV.