The New Jersey Titans denied the Black Bears its first home series sweep since late January, using a four-goal second period to power past Maryland with a 7-4 win. The win is New Jersey’s 19th win in the first 23 games of the season.
Hampus Rydqvist got the scoring started early for the Black Bears, shooting the puck five-hole past Titan netminder, Arseni Sergeev to make it 1-0. The period saw chances for both teams, yet it was the Titans that tied the game thanks to a goal from Kyle Jeffers. Jeffers exited the penalty box and received a pass in front of Maryland goalie Andrew Takacs and shot the puck under Takacs’ arm to tie the game 1-1.
Jackson Sterrett got the lead back for Maryland after Arseni Sergeev turned the puck over behind his own net. Sterrett then put the puck in front of the goal where he bounced it off the stick of Sergeev and into the net to make it 2-1. The Titans then responded with the next four goals from forwards Jake LaRusso, Kyler Head, and Michael Outzen as well as defenseman David Parker to make it 5-2 after two periods.
New Jersey defenseman Mac Wiseman scored a power-play goal minutes into the third period to make it 6-2. Maryland mounted a comeback effort after a coast-to-coast goal from Reid Leibold and a rebound goal from Aden Bruich to make it 6-4. The Black Bears pulled the netminder and got some chances, but could not pull any closer. Kyle Jeffers scored the empty-net goal at the end of the game to make the final score 7-4 New Jersey.
The Black Bears will be home again Friday, December 6th and Saturday, December 7th against the Jamestown Rebels. Puck drops at 7:45 PM ET both nights at the Piney Orchard Ice Arena.
