The Maryland Black Bears needed a win to keep its playoff hopes alive against the Northeast Generals and to end its ten game losing streak. And thanks to a three goal third period, the Black Bears were able to defeat the Generals with a 5-3 win.
The scoring started with Northeast striking 27 seconds in to the game, with forward John Jaworski buried a rebound to make it 1-0. This score held up until the second period, where Maryland forward Luke Posner scored his first goal since November 3rd to tie the game. Posner got a break away and slipped the puck five hole on Generals’ goalie David Fessenden to make it 1-1.
Alex Cohen regained the lead for Northeast when a point shot slipped by Black Bears’ goalie Anthony Del Tufo and Cohen tapped it in for a 2-1 lead. But Daylon Mannon responded for Maryland, shooting a rebound to the top right corner to tie the game 2-2.
The third period started off with a bang, as Black Bears’ forward Nick Grimaldi fought Generals’ forward Aurel Naus. Physical play continued when Northeast defender Cam Gaudette held Maryland captain Connor Pooley. The incident got a responds from Black Bears’ forward Luke Mountain who went to the aid of his captain.
The end result was a Maryland power play that was not scored on, but the Black Bears took the lead after it expired. Black Bears’ forward Jake Sujishi passed the puck to Connor Pooley, who put a slap shot up high to make it 3-2. Max Borst added in a shorthanded goal in the final minutes for Maryland to make it 4-2. Alex Cohen tipped a shot for Northeast shortly after to make it 4-3, but Daylon Mannon scored in the empty net to make the final score 5-3 in favor of the Black Bears. Del Tufo made 35 saves in his fourth win of the season, while Fessenden made 33 saves for Northeast.
Maryland closes out its ten game home stand with its final two home game of the season against the New Jersey Titans. Game one of this two game series is Friday, March 15 at 7:45 PM ET at Piney Orchard Ice Arena.
