MIDDLETOWN, NJ– For the first time this season, the Maryland Black Bears had a weekend in New Jersey to take on the Titans. With a strong offensive push and a solid defensive presence, the Black Bears will come home with four more points in the standings.
FRIDAY JANUARY 16th, 2026: BLACK BEARS (3) at New Jersey (0): The Black Bears offense looked to control the game early thanks to an early power play, but could not find the back of the net. Defensively, the Black Bears were decent at keeping New Jersey away from Ryan Denes, but Denes made a couple of big saves to help his own cause. Towards the end of the period, Harrison Smith was hit up high by a New Jersey player and needed assistance to the bench and would leave the game after the first. After the first 20 minutes, the game was scoreless.
After killing off an early power play, the Black Bears opened the scoring with Ryan Franks coming down on a breakaway and deking his way to his 19th goal of the season to put Maryland up 1-0. The Black Bears continued to press, hitting the goal post three times, as well as creating scoring chances off of rebounds, but couldn’t turn on the goal light on those chances. Denes wasn’t tested much in the second, but kept his sheet clean through 40 minutes of play.
Maryland would get a cushion with Tanner Duncan scoring his 19th of the season, picking up the rebound in front and putting it home to make it 2-0 for the Black Bears. Maryland kept pressing and created more chances, as they did in the second. The defense was solid, not allowing New Jersey any time to set up in their zone and keeping the space clear for Denes. Jaden Sikura would top off the game with his 19th of the year after a great keep-in by Brady Anes and a great set-up pass from Josh Frenette. Ryan Denes made 22 saves, as the Black Bears shutout New Jersey 3-0. The shutout was Denes’ fourth of the season and fifth his career, giving him the all-time record for shutouts in franchise history.
SATURDAY JANUARY 17th, 2026: BLACK BEARS (3) at New Jersey (1): Maryland continued their push at the start of Saturday’s game, testing out the New Jersey goalie early, but couldn’t get an early tally. New Jersey would pressure the Maryland net, but Dom Gatto and the defense would keep them at bay. On the penalty kill, Maryland were awarded a penalty shot thanks to the work of Josh Frenette, but Frenette was stymied in his attempt. Frenette would get a bit of revenge late in the frame thanks to some kind bounces that guided his 10th of the season into the net and gave the Black Bears a 1-0 lead. New Jersey would pressure late, but timely blocks and a goal post would keep Maryland up after 20 minutes.
The Black Bears defense was on display in the first part of the second, as they shut down a lot of New Jersey’s attempts at getting into their zone. Maryland limited New Jersey to only two shots through the first 10 minutes of the frame. The offense was creating more chances, as well, finally breaking through just before the midway point. A strong forecheck from Sokratis Markarian and Ryan Franks helped cycle the puck to Tanner Duncan, who put home his 20th of the season to make it 2-0 Maryland. A late New Jersey push was matched by the defense and Gatto to keep it a two-goal game going into the third.
More defense for Maryland, as they held New Jersey to only three shots through 11 minutes of the period. The Black Bears offense continued to be a pain for New Jersey, which broke through with Jaden Sikura powering his way from behind the net and powered through the net and put the Black Bears up 3-0 on his 20th of the season. The Black Bears would give up a goal very late, as a power play goal from Ryder O’Neil with the extra-man advantage would be the only blemish on the Black Bears weekend, as they go home with four points on the weekend. Dom Gatto made 22 saves for his 11th win of the season.
The Black Bears are on the road next weekend, heading up to Northeast Friday and Saturday. All the games are available on NAHL TV or at the watch parties at Chesepiooc Real Ale Brewery in Crofton.
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