For the fourth time in three seasons, the Maine Nordiques and Maryland Black Bears faced off in the East Division Final. The two teams split the first two meetings, with the Nordiques taking the meeting in 2021 in a three-game sweep, and Maryland taking revenge last season winning in four games. In the third meeting, the Nordiques strike first in the series off the back of a 36 save shutout by goaltender Carter Richardson as they beat the Black Bears in game one 2-0.

The scoring didn’t start until the second period when Maine forward Ryan Panico picked up the rebound of a breakaway attempt by Nordiques’ forward Tomek Haula and put the puck top shelf over Maryland goaltender Owen Lepak for a 1-0 lead. Maine doubled their lead in the third period when forward Cole Hipkin put the puck on goal from the near boards and the rebound went off the pad of Lepak, off a Black Bears’ defenseman and in for a 2-0 lead. Despite late chances for Maryland, the Black Bears failed to put the puck past Richardson, losing 2-0. This is Maryland’s first home postseason loss since June 10th, 2021, when the Maine Nordiques eliminated the Black Bears in game three of that year’s East Division Final.

Maryland and Maine rematch Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET at Piney Orchard Ice Arena in game two of the best-of-five East Division Final series. All games can be streamed on NAHLTV.