ODENTON, MD– In their push for another trip to Blaine, the Maryland Black Bears had to take on the New Jersey Titans in the East Semifinals. In a match-up that was tight in the regular season, the Black Bears powered through in the third period with three goals in 4:10 to take Game 1 by a score of 5-3. New Jersey got on the board first midway through the first period, as Ryan Novo gathered a loose puck for a power play goal at 9:35. Maryland started to take control of the offensive side of things after that, with Jesse Horacek finding a loose puck in the crease and poked it in to tie the score at 1. Only 10 seconds later, Sam Stitz lasered home a wrister from the circle to put the Black Bears up 2-1. However, New Jersey would tie it up late in the frame on another power play with Dominick Rivelli putting home a wrister to make it 2-2 after one period.

Photo Credits : James Harding (TheArtOfPictures), Jon Pitonzo (Face Off Hockey Show Media Faction) & Kaleigh O’Connell (koc.pov)

Though Maryland started on the power play, they were unable to connect despite numerous chances going just wide. New Jersey would go ahead on another power play goal with Logan Renkowski connecting on the one-timer to make it 3-2 for New Jersey midway through the second. Maryland had more chances, but couldn’t find the equalizer after 40 minutes of play.

In the third, the Black Bears would dig hard to find the equalizer, though New Jersey was getting into passing lanes to break up key chances. It wasn’t until late when Trayce Johnson got the equalizer with Evan Sofikitis working his way down to the goal line and making a quick pass to Johnson for the tap-in goal to tie the game. The Black Bears, who were snake bit on the power play most the game, finally broke through with Michael Urgo snapping a shot to the top corner with five seconds left on the power play to put the Black Bears ahead 4-3. Though they would get a late penalty, the penalty kill came up big late with Riley Ruh working the puck out of the zone and put the puck into the open net to give the Black Bears a 5-3 victory and take Game 1.

Game 2 is Saturday night at Piney Orchard with limited tickets remaining. Go to Tickets.MarylandBlackBears.com for more information on how you can join in on the playoff action.

Write up courtesy of Scott Wasilewski

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