The Maryland Black Bears and Johnstown Tomahawks were neck and neck until the later stages of the third period, where Christian Gorscak scored on the power-play to give the Tomahawks a 3-2 lead. Despite a late power-play chance for the Black Bears, they could not respond and Johnstown escaped with a 3-2 win.
Maryland defenseman Anthony Mollica got things started in the first period with his third goal of the season. Ethan Heidepriem took the puck into the zone and drew three Tomahawks to him, which opened up the ice for Mollica to jump into the play. Mollica got the puck and shot the puck low blocker side past Johnstown goalie David Tomeo for the 1-0 lead.
Sean Bauchens tied the game early in the second period for the Tomahawks. The Black Bears turned the puck over and a shot was stopped by Maryland goalie, Andrew Takacs, but the rebound bounced out into the lot and Bauchens scored to make it 1-1. Cameron Recchi got the lead back for the Black Bears when he scored on the power-play for a 2-1 lead. Wilmer Skoog took the puck end to end and dropped the puck to Recchi, who shot the puck top left side for the goal; however, Johnstown tied it up before the end of the period. Spencer DenBeste was able to chip the puck past Takacs on the top left side of the net to make it 2-2.
The lone goal in the third period belonged to Christian Gorscak of the Johnstown Tomahawks. Gorscak held the puck on the power-play near the right circle and shot the puck through the screen. The puck went in through the five-hole to make it 3-2. Maryland got a very late power-play with under two minutes to go, but failed to capitalize, giving Johnstown a 3-2 win.
The Black Bears and Tomahawks bring it back tomorrow, Saturday, November 2nd at Piney Orchard Ice Arena with a puck drop time of 7:45 PM ET.
