BLAINE, MN– After a two-for-two to start off the NAHL Showcase, the Black Bears looked to at least get even with their Showcase from last season that yielded them three wins. After a tough game on Friday, they had a big bounce-back on Saturday to match their three wins from a year prior.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15th, 2023: BLACK BEARS (0) vs. Minnesota (1): Trying to feed off their shutout win on Thursday, the Black Bears continued their offensive push, getting pressure on Minnesota’s Loris Uberti early, but Uberti was equal to the task. Maryland did get into some icing troubles trying for outlet passes, but Colin Ronan and the defense were able to keep things away from the crease area and keep the game scoreless after 20 minutes.
Maryland, again, started the frame pinning Minnesota into their zone and trying to create some chances, but even with an early power play– nothing to show up the Black Bears’ way. Close to the middle of the frame, Minnesota’s forecheck created a turnover behind the Maryland net and Harper Searles was able to hammer home a one-timer from the slot to give the Wilderness a 1-0 lead. The Black Bears tried to find the equalizer and had a couple chances to tie the game, including a 2-on-0; but Uberti was solid to keep Minnesota ahead after two frames.
Knowing time was running out, the Black Bears started the period off strong, creating some offense in the zone, but couldn’t break through. Once Minnesota was able to get it out of their end, Ronan played big in net to keep it a one-goal game, tracking the puck through traffic and keeping Maryland in the hunt. The Black Bears tried to give some goal support, but Uberti was somehow able to get every part of his body in the way of Maryland’s shots, even when he looked down and out. With Ronan pulled for the extra attacker at just over two minutes, the Black Bears had a couple last gasps, but could not find the tying goal, dropping their first game of this Showcase, 1-0.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 16th, 2023: BLACK BEARS (5) vs. Shreveport (1): In the early morning game, the Black Bears found themselves on their heels a bit, as Shreveport’s forecheck was all over the defense of the Black Bears. Jack Wieneke and the team bent, but didn’t break and were able to withstand the early flurry. Maryland would get their groove back, creating more and more offense as the period went on. Maryland would finally break the tie after a great transition play off a defensive zone face off that led to Tamas Toth chipping it out of the zone to himself, streaking down the side, hitting Matthew Croxall with a pass that bounced around, finding Dimitry Kebreau for the tap-in, giving the Black Bears first blood. The physical side from both sides picked up towards the end of the frame, but Maryland took the lead into the locker room.
The Black Bears started early in the second with the forecheck creating havoc and resulting in Jeremi Tremblay scoring from an Adam Schankula pass from the corner in front for his fifth of the season to give Maryland the 2-0 lead. The Black Bears wouldn’t let up, as they gained a power play in the first part of the period and made no mistake with Tremblay getting another goal off a great feed from Adam Schankula to make it 3-0 for Maryland. Wieneke would be crucial for Maryland, making some key saves through traffic and a huge glove save to keep his sheet clean for the time being. Shreveport would get one back towards the end of the frame, as after a Black Bears penalty, Lucas Deeb found a loose puck in the slot and put it past Wieneke for a 3-1 scoreline. Maryland did get into some penalty issues late in the frame, but the penalty kill held off the threats to keep the 3-1 score after 40 minutes.
Shreveport was assessed a late major penalty for head contact late in the second, giving Maryland a power play that carried over to the third. In the early part of the third, Jesse Horacek connected on the power play with a low, hard wrister that alluded Carson Dorfman to give Maryland a 4-1 lead. The Black Bears would continue their push in the middle of the frame with Kebreau lighting the lamp again off another great passing play from Schankula to give Maryland the 5-1 lead. The Black Bears had a couple of power plays, but could not convert on those. Wieneke would make another sparkling glove save late, as the Black Bears hold on for the 5-1 win and go 3-1-0 in the Showcase.
Next, the Black Bears travel to test out the Rochester ice for the first time, as they take on the Jr. Americans Friday and Saturday. All action is on NAHL TV.
Clutch And Crab Hockey 