HOOKSETT, NH– The Maryland Black Bears took to the road again, this time up to New Hampshire to take on the Mountain Kings. Both games on the weekend were tightly contested, leading to a third straight weekend split for the Black Bears.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 23rd, 2026: BLACK BEARS (3) at New Hampshire (2): In the early going, the Black Bears had some offensive zone time, but couldn’t generate any solid chances. The first real chance happened with New Hampshire getting a breakaway, but Cole Werthman made the big, early stop to give Maryland a shot in the arm. The next shift, the Black Bears had quality chances down low, but couldn’t find a good handle to put it into the back of the net. Both teams killed off a penalty, both for too many players, leaving the first period scoreless.
The Black Bears got on the board early in the second, as Matthew Shpungin tallied his eighth of the year after a great zone entry and centering feed from Vincent Glos. Maryland kept working after the goal, keeping the pressure on in the offensive zone, but unable to get any insurance goals in that flurry. New Hampshire got a power play towards the middle of the frame and cashed in with Aidan Patton going unmarked in the slot and putting on a quick snapshot to even the score at one. New Hampshire would get the lead with under seven minutes remaining in the second with Evan Ferraro being left alone in front to make it 2-1 for New Hampshire. Maryland was able to kill off another power play late in the frame to keep it a 2-1 deficit after 40 minutes.
Maryland leveled the score early in the third, as Dom Mack came down from the point to jam home a loose puck to even the score only 2:24 into the period. From there, it was a back and forth game, with New Hampshire creating opportunities, but Werthman came up big to keep it tied. Maryland had a couple of penalties to kill in the third and the penalty kill stood tall to keep it a tied game. While 4-on-4, Maryland used their speed to their advantage, as Brayden Wade broke down the left side and found Ajay Rai for a one-timer to make it a 3-2 Black Bears lead. New Hampshire pulled their goalie in the last minute, but couldn’t find the equalizer, which game Maryland the 3-2 win. Werthman made 27 saves in the victory.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 24th, 2026: BLACK BEARS (1) at New Hampshire (2): Trying to avoid a sweep, New Hampshire got off to a quicker start than Maryland, getting plenty of offensive zone time in the period. Two power plays helped them keep that zone time, but the Black Bears penalty kill stayed strong to not allow an extra-man goal against. The Black Bears had very few chances in the first period, which led to a scoreless tie after 20 minutes.
The Black Bears started the second with some zone time of their own, with decent sustained pressure. Off an icing, the Black Bears got going with Brayden Wade notching his eighth of the year, picking up a loose puck in the face-off circle and snapping it home to make it 1-0 Maryland. While the Black Bears kept up the pressure thanks to a power play, New Hampshire would kill it off and get equal with Aidan Patton picking up a loose puck in a scramble to tie the game up with under seven minutes in the second period. New Hampshire would go ahead late with an odd-man rush resulting in Benjamin Marcolini getting the go-ahead goal to put New Hampshire up 2-1 through 40 minutes.
Looking for an equalizer, the Black Bears were buzzing in their offensive zone, keeping the puck in for the majority of the period. Despite the pressure, Maryland couldn’t find the equalizer even though they outshoot New Hampshire 13-3 in the final 20 minutes. Michael Iliff made 18 saves on Saturday.
The Black Bears continue their road trip next weekend with a set against Elmira. All games can be seen on NAHL TV.
