Photo: Patrick Garriepy

A new year and a long-awaited return to home ice for the Northeast Generals was spoiled by the league’s top team in a 3-1 loss to the Maryland Black Bears on Friday night.

The loss marked the third straight against the Black Bears, who took both meetings back in December, culminating with an identical 3-1 score the last time the Generals played a home game over 40 days ago.

Maryland opened Friday night’s game with two goals in the first period, and another in the second frame to build a 3-0 lead. Owen Drury, Brayden Wade, and Ryan Franks provided the offense.

The Generals’ lone goal came with just under three minutes left in the third off the stick of Spencer Hirsch, who set a new career-high with his 14^th goal of the season.

Will Mizenko backstopped the Generals. He currently sits 3^rd in the league in minutes played and shots faced and turned aside 25 of 28 in the loss.

The Generals were outnumbered in power play opportunities; however, shutdown all four of Maryland’s man advantages while failing to score on two of their own.

The Generals and Black Bears surpassed the midway mark of their six-game season-series with game four, and the final one at the Canton Ice House, set for Saturday night.