The start of the 2026-2027 NAHL season couldn’t have started much better for the Maryland Black Bears, as they sit at first in the East Division with a 6-0-1 record and 13 points. Their 11 goals against is not only the fewest in the East Division, but the fewest amongst NAHL teams that have played at least seven games. After going 2-0-1 at the NAHL Showcase, the Black Bears shift their eyes back to East Division play as they prepare to take on the Johnstown Tomahawks, the team they swept two weeks ago. Johnstown sits at sixth place in the division with a 2-3-1 record and five points.

Maryland’s successful play translated to the NAHL showcase, securing points in all three games they played, including two wins. Forward Brayden Wade recorded a goal and two assists in the first game of the showcase, helping the Black Bears secure a 3-2 win over the Central Division’s Austin Bruins. Michael Iliff made 22 saves in the win for Maryland. In game two against the Midwest Division’s Janesville Jets, Wade, along with forward Matthew Shpungin, struck in the first period to put the Black Bears up 2-0. However, the Jets would storm back to win the game 3-2 in overtime. Cole Werthman made 19 saves in the loss. Maryland would respond in the third and final game of the showcase with a 3-2 win over the South Division’s El Paso Rhinos. Forward Lachlan Bommer scored the game-winning goal in the third period, and Iliff made 19 saves for the Black Bears.

Johnstown entered the NAHL showcase without a win and looked to get back on track and get back into the playoff picture. It was a rough start to the showcase for the Tomahawks, losing their first game 3-1 to the Midwest Division’s Minnesota Wilderness. Despite the loss, Johnstown rebounded and ended the showcase with two statement wins. Forward Evan Kensey had three assists, and goaltender Matthew Wood made 26 saves in a 5-0 win over the Mountain Division’s Grand Junction River Hawks. In their final game, a match-up with the Central Division’s Oklahoma Warriors, Kensey, along with forward Ethan Coots and defenseman Conor Griffin, all had a goal and two assists in a 5-1 Johnstown win.

This will be the second weekend set of games between Maryland and Johnstown this season. The Black Bears swept the Tomahawks in two straight games at Piney Orchard Ice Arena, winning game one 8-1 and game two 3-2 in overtime, with forward Ajay Rai scoring the game-winner. Maryland has won ten consecutive games against Johnstown, going 8-0-0 against them in the 2025-2026 season.

Players to Watch:

Brayden Wade (F, MYD): Wade shined at the showcase, winning the Raising Cane’s Player of the Week honors with two goals and two assists in three games. He is one of eight Black Bears players to have a point-per-game average or better with seven points in seven games. The last time Wade faced Johnstown, he tallied a goal and assist in the 8-1 Maryland win on night one. 

Evan Kensey (F, JTN): Kensey provided some much-needed offense for the Tomahawks during the NAHL showcase. In three showcase games, he recorded two goals, five assists, and seven points. The strong play moved Kensey into first on the team in points with nine points in six games.

Maryland and Johnstown take the ice on Friday, October 2nd, at 7:30 p.m. ET, and Saturday, October 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. ET at 1st Summit Arena. All games can be streamed on NATV.