The Maryland Black Bears remain in first place in the East Division with an impressive record of 11-3-1 and 23 points. However, the Black Bears have split the past three series they’ve had against Elmira, Northeast, and New Hampshire. This weekend, Maryland will face Elmira for the second time this season, this time on the road at Lecom Event Center. The Aviators are last in the East Division with a 5-9-1 record and 11 points. Their 53 goals against are tied with Danbury for the most goals against in the East Division.
The Black Bears started off strong against the New Hampshire Mountain Kings last weekend, but couldn’t put together back-to-back wins. In game one, forward Matthew Shpungin struck early in the second period for a 1-0 Maryland lead. The goal extended Shpungin’s point streak to nine games, where he has seven goals and 13 points in that span. He also has goals in four straight games. New Hampshire would respond with the next two goals to see the score 2-1 Mountain Kings headed into the third period. The Black Bears would answer with goals from defenseman Dominick Mack and forward Ajay Rai to secure a 3-2 win. Cole Werthman made 27 saves for Maryland in the win. Game two was a low-scoring affair, with Black Bears forward Brayden Wade starting the scoring in the second period before New Hampshire scored the next two and won the game 2-1. Michael Iliff made 18 saves.
Elmira is in a rough patch, going 1-4-0 in its last five games. This includes being swept this past weekend against the Philadelphia Rebels. Game one was a back-and-forth, high-scoring contest. Forward Timofei Korober got the scoring started early in the first period before Philadelphia took a 2-1 lead headed into the first intermission. Forward Matthew Maglio tied the game for the Aviators before the Rebels answered back late in the second to retake the lead. Philadelphia extended the lead in the third period to make it 4-2, but a late power-play goal by forward Maximus McGuire gave Elmira some life. Despite the goal, the Aviators fell 4-3. Game two saw forwards Adam Sebastian Kurka and Cruz Fergeson light the lamp for the Aviators; however, they lost once again 3-2.
Maryland and Elmira took the ice at Piney Orchard Ice Arena earlier this month and split the set of games. The Aviators won game one 3-1 before the Black Bears responded with a 4-3 win the following night.
Players to Watch:
Dominick Mack (D, MYD): Mack has been a big part of Maryland’s defense this season, helping execute clean zone exits and contributing offensively as well. This past weekend, he recorded a point in each game against New Hampshire, including recording his first goal as a member of the Black Bears.
Cael Primanti (F, ELM): Primanti sits at second on Elmira in points with 14 and first in assists with 11. The last time the Aviators faced Maryland, Primanti recorded three assists in two games.
Maryland and Elmira take the ice at Lecom Event Center on Friday, October 30th, and Saturday, October 31st, at 7:00 p.m. ET both nights. All games can be streamed on NATV.