ELMIRA, NY– The Maryland Black Bears continued their month-long road trip, this time heading to Elmira to take on the Aviators for a second time this season. After a tough first game on Friday, Maryland got things together Saturday to take home a split on the weekend.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 30th, 2026: BLACK BEARS (1) at Elmira (4): Defensive zone issues reared their ugly head early, as a turnover lead to Lucas Novak having a breakaway and goal only 1:04 into the game. Maryland got that back quick thanks to a power play, leading to Lucas Salvatore scoring a great goal in deep, going backhand to beat the goalie and tie the score at one. The Black Bears continued their pressure in the offensive zone, getting some decent looks on goal, but couldn’t find the go-ahead goal in the first 20 minutes, as they headed to the intermission tied at one.
Maryland kept the pressure on to start the second, trapping Elmira in their own zone for an extended time, but couldn’t generate any goals from it. Elmira would take the lead again with Max Campbell getting a feed out in front to make it 2-1 for Elmira in the middle part of the second. Penalty troubles would hinder the Black Bears trying to get any offensive momentum, but the penalty kill would stay strong to keep it a one-goal game after forty minutes of play.
Elmira struck early in the third on a carry-over power play with Matt Maglio getting the goal, striding into the slot to make it 3-1 for Elmira. Maryland continued to chase the game with a couple of opportunities, but also getting too aggressive and allowing chances going the other way. Maryland generated chances on the power play just past the midway point, but couldn’t snag a goal from those chances. Maglio would tack on an empty netter to make the final 4-1 Elmira, marking the first time Maryland has lost back-to-back games since January 24th and 30th of 2026. Cole Werthman made 24 saves.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 31st, 2026: BLACK BEARS (4) at Elmira (2): Maryland donned their red jerseys for the first time in the season, looking to get some kind of change in luck to go along with it. The first period, however, was a very uneventful one, with both sides having minimal chances on net and ending the first 20 minutes scoreless.
Maryland had to kill off an early penalty, but they were able to stave off that attack and then later in the frame, go on their own with a double-minor power play. Unfortunately, Maryland couldn’t capitalize. After the media timeout, the Black Bears offense got some kind of jolt, as they scored three goals in 39 seconds. It started with JP Saddy using a defender as a screen and going near-side to open the scoring. Only 16 seconds after that, Ajay Rai came streaking down the same left side as Saddy and put on the same shot with a defender screen to make it 2-0. Then 23 seconds after that, Lucas Salvatore would pick-up a pass from Brayden Wade off the half-wall and Salvatore would wire it to make it 3-0. Elmira would get one back moments later after a defensive zone turnover turned into an Adam Senbastian Kurka goal to make it 3-1. Both teams would have chances later on, but would go into the locker rooms with Maryland up 3-1.
A penalty early put Maryland on the penalty kill, which Elmira would use to get to within one with Timofei Korober getting the power play goal from the slot to make it 3-2. The Black Bears get the two-goal lead back thanks to Brady Anes picking up a loose puck in front and batting in his third of the year to make it 4-2. Maryland would get a major power play due to a boarding call against Brayden Wade, but they were unable to get any goals on the board in the extended man-advantage. Maryland killed off two penalties later in the game to make the final 4-2 with Michael Iliff making 28 saves in the win.
The Black Bears wrap-up their road stretch next weekend with two matinee games in Danbury Friday and Saturday. All action can be found on NAHL TV.
