The Nordiques took on the Maryland Black Bears in game two of their weekend set. This would be the last game that the Nords would play before their home opener on the first of October.
The first five minutes of play were dominated by the Nordiques. They would head to the power play within the first four minutes to work the puck around to Matt Connor, who pinched below the blue line, and sniped one short side to put the Nords up 1-0. The Nords then killed off a penalty, which they would with help from big saves by Gus Holt. Eight minutes left to go in the period, the Nords headed back to the power play which they were unable to get much setup in terms of offensive pressure. Reese Farrell had a breakaway opportunity which was stopped by Bears goalie, Di Pasquo. 1-0 Nords after first period.
The Nordiques took an early penalty to start the second which they were able to kill off. The Nords got a power play of their own, unable to covert and took a penalty of their own, ending up going to 4 on 4. Nothing came of the 4 on 4. The Bears resulting power play when Aidan Connolly got a great scoring chance fresh out of the box, the bears goalie denied the potential goal. After some back and forth the Nords and Bears of trading penalties; just like the first time they went 4 on 4, neither team scored. Five minutes left to play the Nordiques would head to the penalty box once again; the penalty kill did the job. 1-0 Nords after a second period that the Black Bears had the upper hand in.
The Nords got to the power play less than a minute into the third period but did not add to their lead. Some extracurricular activity, with shoving, earned matching penalties and we went back to 4 on 4 with no scoring once more. Twelve minutes left the Nords won an offensive zone draw from Johnny Meiers; he threw it back to Nick Bernardo who fired a wrist shot, that got deflected in front by Dom Marcinkevics, who got his 3rd goal of the weekend, to make it 2-0 Nords. Reese Farrell got another great chance with 9:08 left to go in the third; the Bears goalie came up with another great save denying Resse’s goal potential. The Bears would go to the box at the four minute mark and just seven seconds later, Caden Pattison, would put one in the net to put the Nords up 3-0 with 3:50 to go. The Nords drew another penalty to put them on a 5 on 3 advantage. They wouldn’t score, but be able to control the puck and take the 3-0 win. Gus Holt would pick up his first career NAHL shutout stopping 30+ shots.
The Nords next game is their home opener at The Colisee against the last place Danbury Hat Tricks on October 1st!
