The Maryland Black Bears hosted the franchise’s first-afternoon matinee game Saturday afternoon. In a close playoff race, the home team was able to secure a huge win with a 2-1 win against the Maine Nordiques.
Reid Leibold drew first blood in the low-scoring affair. The DMV product received a pass from Maryland Captain Logan Kons and snapped a shot through the legs of a Maine defenseman that went past the glove of the Nordiques goalie Avery Sturtz for a 1-0 lead.
There was no further scoring until the final period. Aaron Swanson scored his first home goal on an empty netter to make it 2-0. In the final minute, the Nordiques scored and ruined Maryland Goalie, Aaron Randazzo’s shutout bid. Maine forward Stefan Owens put the puck on goal and it bounced off the leg of Timmy Kent to make the score 2-1. The Black Bears would hold off Maine’s last-ditch efforts and secure a much-needed victory.
Maryland’s Aaron Swanson (F) received the third-star honors, Aaron Randazzo (G) received second-star honors, and Reid Leibold (F) received the first star of the game.
The Black Bears hit the road this upcoming weekend to take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights. The team returns to Piney Orchard Ice Arena February 28th to take on the Jamestown Rebels.
