SEWELL, N.J. — The Philadelphia Rebels struck just 30 seconds into the game, but the Maryland Black Bears responded with five unanswered goals to hand the Rebels a 5-1 loss Friday night at Hollydell Ice Arena.
Justin Vlassis gave Philadelphia an early lead, finding the back of the net on the Rebels’ first shift of the night to make it 1-0. Vlassis cashed in a rebound right in front of Black Bear netminder Cole Werthman.
Maryland answered late in the opening period. Tanner Terranova scored on the power play with just over four minutes remaining, sending the game into the first intermission tied at 1.
The Black Bears took their first lead four minutes into the second period when Joseph Gasperko scored to make it 2-1. Maryland carried the one-goal advantage into the third.
The Rebels took two penalties in the first 2:09 of the third period, giving Maryland a 5-on-3 advantage. Philadelphia killed off the first penalty, but Ajay Rai scored on the remaining power play just under four minutes into the period to extend Maryland’s lead to 3-1.
Less than three minutes later, Brady Anes added another to make it 4-1.
Jesse Gauthier capped the scoring with 6:38 remaining, putting home a rebound for Maryland’s fifth unanswered goal.
Benjamin Varsa finished with 31 saves for Philadelphia, while Werthman stopped 24 of 25 shots for Maryland. The Black Bears outshot the Rebels 36-25. The Black Bears outshot the Rebels 36-25. Maryland finished 2-for-8 on the power play, while Philadelphia went 0-for-4 with the man advantage.
Philadelphia falls to 0-1-0-0 on the season, while Maryland improves to 1-0-0-0.
The Rebels and Black Bears conclude their home-and-home series Saturday in Maryland. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.