After splitting a series with the Elmira Aviators, the Black Bears will hit the road for the next four weekends. Their first stop on this trip will be a challenge, as the East Division’s first-place team, the Maryland Black Bears, will take on the second-place team, the Northeast Generals, in the first matchup of the season between these two teams. Maryland sits at 9-1-1 on the year with 19 points, while Northeast has a record of 7-1-2 and 16 points.

Maryland suffered its first regulation loss of the season this past Friday against the Elmira Aviators. The Black Bears fell behind 2-0 in the first period, but came out to dominate the second period. Maryland outshot Elmira 26-8 that period, even getting a goal from forward Lucas Salvatore, his first as a Black Bear, to make the score 2-1. The Black Bears would fail to complete the comeback, allowing a third period goal to make the final score 3-1. Cole Werthman made 26 saves in the loss. Game two was a chaotic affair — Maryland trailed 1-0 entering the second period before the two teams combined for five goals in four minutes and 45 seconds to make the score 3-3. Forward Brayden Wade chipped home a rebound before the Aviators retook the lead less than 90 seconds later. Forward Matthew Shpungin scored on a one-time slap shot from the far circle to tie the game before Elmira retook the lead 3-2 less than a minute later, and defenseman Vincent Glos scored on a breakaway to tie the game again at 3-3 just over a minute after that. The score remained tied until late in the third period, when Wade tipped a puck home on the power play to give the Black Bears a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish. Michael Iliff made 22 saves in the win.

Northeast is coming off a weekend where they split a pair of games with the Philadelphia Rebels. Game one was a dominant affair, with the Generals getting goals from forwards Camdan Tabb, Nate Porter, Logan Poulin, and Wyatt Ezman for a 4-0 win. Keagin Wilson made 18 saves for his first shutout of the season. Northeast would overcome a 3-0 deficit in the third period the following night with goals from forward Kody Moyer and Logan Poulin on the power play, along with a shorthanded goal from defenseman Jack Montaldo to tie the game at 3-3. Despite the effort, Northeast would fall in the shootout 2-1 to lose the game 4-3. 

The Black Bears and Generals played six times last year, with Maryland winning the series 5-1-0 while outscoring Northeast 20-11. The two teams are thriving offensively, with the Generals scoring 44 goals, tied for the most in the East Division with the New Hampshire Mountain Kings. The Black Bears’ 42 goals are the second most in the East Division.

Players to Watch: 

Brayden Wade (F, MYD): Wade is this week’s Raising Cane’s Player of the Week, and for good reason. His two-goal, three-point effort in last Saturday’s 4-3 win was crucial to prevent the Black Bears from getting swept. Wade is already halfway to his point total of 26 from last season, recording 13 points in just 11 games. 

Logan Poulin (F, NE): Poulin is on fire to start the year, recording 16 points in his first ten games. He has been a key cog in one of the best offenses in the North American Hockey League, with his ten goals not only the team’s best but also the second-most in the league. Poulin has four goals in his last three games.

Maryland and Northeast will take the ice at Canton Ice House on Friday, October 16th, and Saturday, October 17th, with puck drop both nights at 7:00 p.m. ET. All games can be streamed on NATV.