CANTON, MA– In the last series of the regular season, the Maryland Black Bears travelled to play the last team they needed to face in the East Division, the Northeast Generals. With 14 weeks in, the Black Bears were able to dig deep and find a way to keep the good times rolling with a sweep over Northeast.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 12th, 2025: BLACK BEARS (4) at Northeast (1): Knowing Maryland might have some bus legs, Northeast started strong in attacking the Black Bears net, but Ryan Denes was equal to the task, making some key saves in the early going. The penalty kill for Maryland needed to be sharp, as they had to kill off three first period power plays. With some blocked shots and timely clears, the penalty kill kept the sheet clean. Maryland had a couple of offensive chances late in the frame, but couldn’t find the back of the net and ended the period with a scoreless tie.
Some rough stuff early led to the Black Bears getting part of the major power play, which gave them the opening goal with Tanner Duncan finding the loose puck off an Owen Drury shot and putting in the back of the net for his 16th of the season to give Maryland the lead. Maryland continued their pressure, even getting a Harrison Smith shot ring off the post, but were unable to get another goal. However, the penalties for Maryland continued through the second period and while they did kill off a two-man disadvantage; Northeast’s Spencer Hirsch fired a shot from the left side that beat Denes to tie the game at one with under a minute to go in the second period.
In the third period, the Black Bears offense got going. Only 4:07 into the frame, Cole Peters nets his fourth of the year, as a floater from the point was mishandled by Northeast’s goalie, who batted it into his own net to give Maryland the 2-1 lead. After Maryland killed off an early penalty, they went to work on their own power play with plenty of chances, but weren’t able to find the back of the net. It wasn’t until 3:46 left when Duncan and Ryan Franks were on a 2-on-1, leading to Franks potting his 13 of the season to make it 3-1 Maryland. With under a minute left, Northeast pulled their goalie, but with Maryland attacking– covered the puck in their crease, leading to a penalty shot for Maryland. Jaden Sikura, the former Northeast forward, took the penalty shot and beat the goalie five-hole to make it 4-1 and secured the Black Bears their 25th win of the season. Denes made 21 saves in the victory.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 13th, 2025: BLACK BEARS (3) at Northeast (1): The Black Bears had to do without Harrison Smith in the series finale, who was a late scratch. Northeast would try and take advantage, pressuring the Black Bears net to start, but Dom Gatto was strong at the start of the game to keep it scoreless in the first half. Northeast would strike first, with Finn Connor scoring to make it 1-0 for Northeast. However, thanks to a power play later in the frame, Jaden Sikura struck again against his old team with a one-timer from the left circle to tie the game up. After the goal, a big hit took Tanner Duncan down, who didn’t return for the rest of the frame.
The Maryland offense was strong in the second, dominating the offensive zone and not allowing Northeast through the neutral zone, even a man down. Just past the midway point, the Black Bears were able to break the tie with Lachlan Bommer netting his third of the season on a loose puck in front to make it 2-1 Maryland. The Black Bears continued their pressing of the offensive zone, but couldn’t break through. Gatto was able to keep all the attempts his way down to keep it 2-1 through 40 minutes.
It was a neutral zone battle in the third, with Maryland and Northeast keeping it between the blue lines. Gatto made some solid saves through traffic during the lone penalty kill Maryland had to fend off. It wasn’t until late in the third when Sikura got his second goal of the game at the side of the net off a Josh Frenette pass to make it 3-1, which would end up being the final. Gatto made 22 in the victory.
The Black Bears are now on break until the new year when they travel to Elmira to take on the Aviators. All action is on NAHL TV or at the watch party at Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery in Crofton.
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