Written by: Rory McGouran
Photo: Patrick Garriepy Photography

The Northeast Generals are building momentum towards the most difficult test of the season this coming weekend.

Following a weekend sweep of the Philadelphia Rebels backed by a 2-1 win on Saturday night, the Generals will welcome the Maryland Black Bears to the Canton Ice House on December 12 and 13 for the first meeting of the season against the NAHL’s top-ranked team.

The Generals’ pair of wins this past weekend locked in a much-needed momentum swing following three straight losses. Saturday’s encore victory was backed by a 23-save performance by Keagin Wilson, who didn’t allow a goal for nearly 54 minutes, in the 2-1 win.

Full-team confidence wasn’t the only growth aspect, as Braydon Hudtloff and Kyle Murray, the team’s two-goal scorers on the night, snapped lengthy goal-scoring droughts, hopefully sparking their offensive production moving forward. Hudtloff’s goal was the first since October 18, while Murray’s last conversion was three games prior on October 11.

The Gens’ power play took a slight dip, going 0/7 on Saturday and 1/11 overall, but their penalty kill rose, not surrendering a goal.

The pair of victories elevated the Generals to fourth place in the East Division with a 15-10-2-1 record ahead of their clash with Maryland.

The Black Bears enter the weekend with 51 points, 13 points clear of second place in the East Division (Maine). They are currently on a 10-game point streak and among the top of the division in nearly every statistical category, including goals-for and goals-against, while second in power play and penalty kill percentage. They boast the league’s top scorer in Harrison Smith (55 points in 30 games), while their starting netminder, Ryan Denes, leads the league in wins (14) and goals against average (1.88).

The Generals, however, have no reason to be intimidated.

An incredible turnaround season after finishing 10th in the East Division last year, the Gens have at least a victory over 7 of 9 opponents, with Maryland being the only team they have yet to play. They feature the second-highest scoring offence (99 goals), the best power play, and the third-best penalty kill in the division.

Only four games remain in the 2026 calendar year, with this weekend’s set, no-doubtedly, presenting the biggest and most fruitful test this season.

This weekend is December’s Buy-One-Get-One weekend for all fans to attend.

Puck drop is set for 7:30 on Friday, followed by a 7:00 showdown on Saturday.