SEWELL, NJ– In the last series of 2024, the Maryland Black Bears traveled up to Philadelphia-adjacent to take on the Rebels for a two game set. After a comeback win on Friday, the Black Bears settled for three points in two games with a split of the weekend.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 20th, 2024: BLACK BEARS (5) at Philadelphia (3): Even with two power plays to start the game, the Black Bears found themselves in a hole early. It started with Charles Panchisin netting his 10th of the year shorthanded on a Maryland miscommunication in the defensive zone. Less than three minutes later, Joe Stauber made it 2-0 Philadelphia with an odd-man rush goal, which forced Maryland to use their time-out early. The Black Bears had a couple rushes and chances later in the frame, but would go into the intermission down by two.
The Black Bears penalty kill went to work with back-to-back kills to start the third, which gave the offense life. Tanner Duncan got on the board after a tic-tac-toe passing play from Jaden Duprey to Mason Stenger, to Duncan for his fourth of the season. Almost three minutes later, as the Black Bears went back to shorthanded; another tic-tac-toe passing play from Harrison Smith to Trey Hinton to Victor Mannebratt to tie the game on Mannebratt’s seventh to tie the game at two. Philadelphia regained the lead on the power play with Caesar Bjork potting home his 10th on another quick passing play to give Philadelphia the 3-2 going into the third.
Maryland struck quickly to tie it up, as Kareem El-Bashir found the loose puck after his initial shot was blocked to tie the game at three only 35 seconds into the third. The Black Bears would have to hold off a quick attack from Philadelphia after the goal to keep the game tied, while also drawing the only penalty in the frame. On the ensuing power play, Josh Frenette jumped on a rebound in front for his fifth of the year to give Maryland their first lead of the game. Maryland looked to have an insurance goal, but it was waved off due to a referee conference determining the puck was kicked in. Late in the frame, with the goalie pulled, Markas Samenas sealed the deal with an empty goal for his fifth of the year to give Maryland the 5-3 victory.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 21st, 2024: BLACK BEARS (0) at Philadelphia (1) SO: After a lackluster first on Friday, the Black Bears kicked it into gear in the first on Saturday, throwing a barrage of pucks at the Philadelphia net, but unable to find the back of it. The Maryland defense was able to keep the puck away from Ryan Denes to keep the period a nothing-nothing tie at the end of 20 minutes.
Penalties were the issue with the second period, with Maryland getting called for four penalties in the frame, including a five minute major. The penalty killed shined in the middle frame, able to kill off those chances going into the third. Maryland still got offensive with 12 shots on goal, but couldn’t find the back of the net to keep the game scoreless.
Maryland’s defense was front and center in the first part of the period, as Philly was on the offensive for the start of the frame. After the initial onslaught, it was an neutral zone battle with Maryland getting some chances in the second half. It wasn’t enough, as the game went into extra time, with Maryland getting a point and keeping pace with New Jersey.
After overtime solved nothing, it went to a shootout. Charles Panchisin scored for Philadelphia in the second round as the only goal in the shootout to win the game 1-0, but the Black Bears garnered a point in the game.
The Black Bears are back in action in the new year as they travel to Rochester January 3rd and 4th of 2025. All action can be caught on NAHL TV with a watch party at Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery on Saturday. .
Clutch And Crab Hockey 