The Maine Nordiques found a way to snap their six-game losing streak.
After jumping out to an early lead against the Maryland Black Bears, the Nordiques earned a 4-3 shootout win in a North American Hockey League East Division contest at Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, Maryland.
The Nordiques’ (6-8-1, 13 points) fast start began with Zion Green’s fifth goal of the season for a 1-0 lead 2:46 into the game. It was a power-play goal and Jack Kurrle recorded the assist.
Brendan Gibbons scored his first goal of the season 12 seconds later to put the Nordiques up 2-0. Jack Parker recorded his first assist of the season.
Laker Aldridge put the Black Bears (12-4-3, 27 points) on the board with just under eight minutes remaining in the first period.
Jacob Brockman tied the game at 2-2 midway through the second period. It was his fifth goal of the season for the Black Bears.
Kevin Scott gave Maryland its first lead in the third period with his first goal of the season.
Colorado College commit Jonny Meiers tied the game at 3-3 with under two minutes remaining in the third period to force overtime.
After a scoreless five-minute, 3-on-3 overtime, the shootout went six rounds. Gibbons and Meiers scored in the first two rounds for the Nordiques. Green and Tyler Gaulin didn’t score in rounds three and four. Parker scored in the fifth round and Tristan Fasig scored the game-winning goal in the sixth round.
Avery Sturtz stopped 21 shots for the win while Michael Morelli made 14 saves for Maryland.
The Nordiques go for the weekend sweep Saturday at 7 p.m. in Odenton.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
