Maine Nordiques goaltender Carter Richardson nearly recorded his second shutout of the weekend.
But on Saturday night, former Twin Cities Thunder forward Sam Stitts' goal led the Maryland Black Bears to victory in Game 2 of the NAHL East Finals at Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton, Maryland. was enough to win 1-0.
“It deflected. It was a wacky one,” Maine Nordiques coach Nick Skerik said of Richardson's goal. “After that, he played 10 minutes of lights out hockey. He had two breakaway saves in the second period this weekend and another in the third period. I think he had less volume tonight. But he gave us a chance to win.”
Richardson, a first-year goalie, made 36 saves in the loss.
Owen Lepak made 30 saves for his first shutout of the postseason. He hit three during the regular season.
“This is going to be a goalie showdown, at least the start of the series is going to be a goalie showdown,” Skerik said.
The best-of-five series is currently tied at each game. Maine defeated Maryland 2-0 in the first game Friday night.
On Saturday, the Nordiques' power play struggled, going 0-for-4 on the man advantage and the Black Bears going 0-for-2.
“We're going to look at the video and see if we can sneak one or two people in,” Skerik said. “The team that wins the series is the team that wins the power play game. I really believe that. Special teams, I guess. Right now, both teams are 6-0 on the power play.”
Stitts, who played for the Thunder in 2021-22, is in his second year with the Black Bears. The Air Force commitment scored nearly six minutes into the first period. Trayce Johnson had the only assist.
The series moves to Colisey in Lewiston on Friday night with Game 3 scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and Game 4 Saturday at 2 p.m., while Game 5 is scheduled for Sunday, May 12 at 7 a.m. This will likely lead to rapid developments. in Odenton afternoon, if the series goes that far.
“As a staff and as a group, we came here talking about the purchase and we got exactly that,” Skerik said. “Right now we have a chance to win Game 3 on home ice and see what happens in Game 4. But we're focused on Friday night at 7:30.”
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Junior hockey: Maine Nordiques goaltender Carter Richardson shut out Maryland Black Bears in Game 1
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