LEWISTON, ME– For the first time since October, the Black Bears faced the Maine Nordiques in regular season action with a chance to clinch the playoffs. Despite a solid effort on the weekend, the Black Bears did clinch, but split the weekend for a fourth straight time.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 28th, 2025: BLACK BEARS (6) at Maine (3): A spirited affair from the start, as Maine and Maryland were trading hits in the early going, trying to assert their game from the drop of the puck. Maryland started to gain strong offensive presence, even getting a breakaway chance from Kareem El-Bashir, but couldn’t find the back of the net in the early going. Maine would get on the board first, as a broken play ended up with Brady Frank getting a goal that fooled Marko Bilic to make it 1-0. Maryland would get it right back, as Luke Janus sniped a shot near-side off a great 4-on-2 break from the Black Bears to tie the game. After the media timeout, the Black Bears used their environment to their advantage with Tyler Stern netting his 10th of the season off an odd carom off the Zamboni doors to center it in front and make it 2-1 for Maryland. Business started to pick up after that as the hitting and extracurriculars began for each side, but the Black Bears kept the lead after 20 minutes of play.
As things settled in for the second, Maine got a goal 4:56 into the frame with Tomek Haula taking a rebound around the net and putting it home into the open net to tie the game. Undeterred, Maryland put the pressure on again after a goal and thanks to a power play midway through the frame, got the lead back from a heavy one-timer off the stick of Victor Mannebratt to make it 3-2 for Maryland. On another power play moments later, Mannebratt against hammered home a one-timer to give the Black Bears another two-goal lead. However, Maryland would go on the penalty kill and Maine got a goal back with Cole Estay getting a redirect from a point shot to make it 4-3 after two periods of play.
Trying to keep the one goal game intact, Maryland kept their wheels going at the start of the period, with a couple of chances in the offensive zone, but nothing to show in the early going, Maine looked for the equalizer, but Bilic and the defense made sure to keep the shots and rebounds away from the danger areas. With the ice causing havoc for both sides for passing and shooting, Maryland decided to air out their passes and with under four minutes remaining, an outlet airmail pass from Mason Stenger found Josh Frenette and Frenette wired it low blocker side to make it 5-3. Maine pulled their goalie, but another outlet pass allowed Stern to net his second of the night to make the final 6-3 for the Black Bears.
SATURDAY MARCH 1st, 2025: BLACK BEARS (3) at Maine (4): Ahead of the game, the Black Bears had clinched their third-straight playoff spot thanks to a New Hampshire loss, but there was still much to play for. Maine was able to get off to a quick start, as they used their speed to create Damon Myers fifth of the season only 2:42 into the game. Maryland would put the pressure onto the Maine net, but couldn’t find the back of the net in the early going. The ice was playing havoc on both sides, having the puck stick way too much, not allowing many long passing plays. Maryland would get on the board late in the period with Victor Mannebratt continuing his scoring streak with his third of the weekend with a wrister from the point on the near side to make it 1-1 before the period expired.
More Maryland pressure with the second period start, as they tried to take advantage of a carry-over power play, but couldn’t find the go-ahead goal. Some back-and-forth between the teams lead to some solid chance, but no goals. It wasn’t until past the midway point where Trey Hinton gathered a rebound in front to put the Black Bears ahead 2-1. Maryland put some more pressure on, but a penalty late in the frame allowed Zion Green to tie it up for Maine on the power play. Though Maryland tried to get a response, they were tied after two periods of play.
Maine was quick on getting the go-ahead goal, as Usko Laaksonen found the back of the net on the power play to make it 3-2 for Maine. Four minute later, Aidan Lindblad netted his second of the season to put Maine up 4-2. Maryland pressed the play to try and get some back into it. After a five minute penalty to Maine, Maryland converted, as Owen Drury got his first NAHL goal, tucking it onto the net to make it a 4-3 game. While the Black Bears pressured deep into the game, the Black Bears couldn’t find the equalizer to drop Saturday’s affair.
The Black Bears are back home next weekend to take on Danbury. Head to Tickets.MarylandBlackBears.com for your tickets to get in on the road to the playoffs.
Clutch And Crab Hockey 