ATTLEBORO, MA– Better late than never, as the Maryland Black Bears traveled to play the Northeast Generals for the first time this season. Despite plenty of chances offensively, the Black Bears had some struggle Friday, but came roaring back on Saturday to gain a split on the weekend.
January 13th, 2024
FRIDAY JANUARY 12th, 2024: BLACK BEARS (1) at Northeast (3): The Black Bears got out of the gate quickly, with some solid chances in the early going, but Toby Hopp was equal to the task to keep Maryland off the score sheet. Maryland would get into some penalty issues in the first period, one penalty resulting into a Ryan Remick power play goal off a one-timer from the right face-off circle to make it 1-0 Northeast. From that, Northeast was putting pressure on the Maryland net, but Owen Lepak bounced back from the goal to go into the intermission down 1-0.
Special teams continued in the second, as the Black Bears had several power play opportunities. However, Northeast got into many shooting lanes, while the goal posts stymied the Black Bears advances. Northeast would extend their lead shorthanded, as Joe McGraw was able to break free from his own zone and put one behind Lepak late in the period to make it 2-0 after 40 minutes.
Maryland continued to press the net and get pressure on Hopp and they would finally break through with Jesse Horacek putting home a rebound from a Dimitry Kebreau shot to cut the deficit to only one. Maryland was able to get a late power play and pull Lepak for a 6-on-4 chance, but after having the puck cleared, the Black Bears mistakenly put the puck into their own empty net to give Northeast a 3-1 lead, which was the eventual final.
SATURDAY JANUARY 13th, 2024: BLACK BEARS (3) at Northeast (1): Maryland started strong again, getting a jump out in the first five minutes of the frame, but that was met with a strong counter by Northeast. Both Toby Hopp for Northeast and Colin Ronan for Maryland were strong in their creases, keeping the scoresheet clean after 20 minutes of play.
Northeast was the first to strike again, as Joe McGraw scored his second goal in as many nights on an odd-man rush. Later in the frame, Northeast got called for holding, allowing the Black Bears power play to go to work. In the dying seconds of the power play, Tyler Stern picked up a loose puck in front of the net and put home his first as a Black Bear to tie the score up with under three minutes to go, which is how the period would end.
Photo Credits : James Harding (TheArtOfPictures) & Jon Pitonzo (Face Off Hockey Show Media Faction)
With clear shots hard to come by, the Black Bears had to crash the net to get some chances on goal. That paid off, as Stern netted his second of the game by collecting a loose puck in the crease and shoveling it into the net to make it 2-1 for Maryland. The physical game picked up on both sides of the puck, with Northeast pressing to find the equalizer. Maryland would seal it with under three minutes to play when Northeast pulled their goalie and Dimitry Kebreau beat out an icing and wrapped it around and into the net to make it 3-1. Despite a late penalty kill, Maryland would hold onto the lead and get the two points on Saturday.
The Black Bears are back on the road next weekend, as they travel to Sewell, NJ to take on the Philadelphia Rebels. All the action can be seen on NAHL TV.
Write up courtesy of Scott Wasilewski
found on Twitter X : @DefendingDenMBB & Spotify : Face Off Hockey Show Podcast