Written by: Rory McGouran
Photo: Patrick Garriepy Photography

The Northeast Generals, missing a handful of star players, were neck and neck with the #1-ranked Maryland Black Bears before slipping away in a 4-1 loss.

A scoreless first period, in no way, deterred from an otherwise fast-paced, physical, and utterly entertaining opening 20 minutes.

Maryland struck first on the power play in the middle frame from Tanner Duncan’s 16^th goal of the season. However, with 35 seconds left, the Generals responded on their own power play with Spencer Hirsch’s 13^th to send a 1-1 tie into the third.

The Gens’ power play was granted the majority of the opportunities throughout the night, but went 1/7 overall. Meanwhile, Maryland capitalized on 1/3 of their chances.

A tough break led to the game-winning goal. Cole Peters’ lightly placed point shot was meant to be directed into the corner by goaltender Will Mizenko, but instead, it rode up his stick and over his pad for the Black Bears’ 2-1 lead. Mizenko was superbly effective in net, otherwise stopping 29 of 33 overall.

Maryland doubled their lead off a 2-on-1 breakaway from Ryan Franks with 3 minutes left in the final frame, and a Jaden Sikura penalty shot put the game out of reach after Vinny Ipri was tagged, putting his glove on the puck in the crease when the Generals’ net was empty for the extra attacker.

The Generals were still without Mikey Bartkowski, Logan Poulin, Tyler Kelly, and Jackson Rutherford, while also losing Cole McKenna to an injury early in the first period, and Kyle Murray was kicked out of the game in the second. Tonight’s rematch appears as if the Gens will once again be without those six key contributors, but Friday’s effort shows that victory is still within reach.

Puck drop for tonight’s final home game of 2025 is set for 7:00 pm.