The Rebels host the Maryland Black Bears this Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22 at 7:30PM at Hollydell. While Maryland already has clinched a playoff spot, they haven’t secured the second spot in the East Division, possessing a four-point lead over the third place Maine Nordiques, although Maryland has a game in-hand.
The Rebels are fighting for the sixth and final playoff spot in the East. They are currently four points behind sixth seed New Hampshire Mountain Kings although the Rebels have a game in-hand (which will be made up when the Rebels travel to New Jersey on March 25). The eighth seed Danbury Hat Tricks and ninth seed Northeast Generals are both four points behind the Rebels. The Rebels have seven games remaining in the season, including this weekend. Four of them are home – where they have won 58% of their games.
The Rebels will be wearing special “Slap Shot” jerseys this weekend. They will be auctioned off online via Dash with proceeds going to a local charity. Immediately following Saturday night’s game there will be the third of four meet and greets featuring Nick Bianchi, Drew Belleson, Ruslan Jamaldinov, Luke Janviriya, Ethan McEneany and Hudson Weber-Stewart.
Black Bears and Rebels Overview
This will be the final time this season the teams will face each other. The last time they played was back on December 20 and 21 at Hollydell with Maryland winning the first game 5 – 3 and the Rebels winning the second game 1 – 0 in a shootout. Maryland has won three of the four prior contests, outscoring the Rebels by a combined margin of 13 to 5.
The Black Bears are 5 for 22 (23%) on the man advantage. Harrison Smith leads Maryland in scoring against the Rebels with seven points (all assists). Kareem El Bashir and Luke Rubin each have two goals against the Rebels. Maryland’ goaltenders have a combined 0.98 goals against average and .970 save percentage with two shutouts.
The Rebels are 1 for 17 (6%) on the man advantage. Co-Captains Charles Panchisin (1 goal and 1 assist) and Brock Jones (2 assists) each have two points against Maryland. Four players (including Panchisin) have scored one goal each against the Black Bears: Abzal Alibek, Caesar Björk, and Joe Stauber.
Rebels netminders have a combined 2.94 goals against average and .923 save percentage with one shutout (Owen Crudale) against Maryland.
Black Bears Overview
Maryland is currently in second place in the East Division with a 33-15-3-2 record for 71 points (7th in the league). They are coming off of a home sweep against the Generals winning the first game 5 – 4 and the second game 4 – 2. They have won two out of their last five games and five out of their last ten. They possess a 19-7-2-0 home record and 14-8-1-2 away record.
The Black Bears have scored 180 goals (7th in the league), and they have allowed 142 (9th in the league). They have converted on 18.07% of the chances on the man advantage (16th in the league), and their penalty kill is at 80.95% (23rd in the league). They have scored 45 power play goals (8th in the league) and four shorthanded goals (27th in the league). They have given up four shorthanded goals (23rd in the league). Their powerplay at home is 15.56% and penalty kill is 78.99%. The Black Bears powerplay on the road is 21.05% while their penalty kill is 83.04%.
Sebastian Speck leads the Black Bears with 51 total points (21 goals and 30 assists) while Isac Nielsen has the most goals (23). Travis Bryson has the most game winning goals with five. Mason Stenger has a team high +27. Former Rebel Tyler Stern leads Maryland with 114 penalty minutes.
Maryland’s goaltenders have a combined 2.70 goals against average and .903 save percentage with seven shutouts.
Rebels Overview
The Rebels are currently in seventh place in the East Division with a 22-27-2-1 record for 47 points (26th in the league). They are coming off an away sweep over the Elmira Aviators winning the first game 7 – 2 and second game 3 – 2 (they were trailing 2 – 0). It was the Rebels first road sweep this season. They have won three in a row and three of their last five games. They have won six out of their past ten contests. The Rebels have a 14-8-2-1 home record and a 8-19-0-0 away record.
Philadelphia has scored 152 goals (23rd in the league), and they have allowed 168 (20th in the league). They have converted on 16.06% of the chances on the man advantage (27th in the league), and their penalty kill is at 81.28% (20th in the league). They have scored 31 power play goals (26th in the league) and have allowed eight shorthanded goals (10th in the league). They have scored four shorthanded goals (25th in the league). Their powerplay at home is 23.71% and penalty kill is 83.96%. The Rebels powerplay on the road is 8.33% while their penalty kill is 78.25%.
Panchisin (15 goals and 29 assists) and Björk (18 goals and 26 assists) lead the Rebels in total points with 44 while Björk has the most goals (18). Jamaldinov has a team high five game winning goals. Björk has a team best +13. Jones has a team high 117 penalty minutes.
Rebels’ goaltenders have a combined 3.09 goals against average and .911 save percentage with one shutout (Owen Crudale). Crudale leads the team in wins (19), goals against average (2.78) and save percentage (.923).
After this weekend, the Rebels have five games remaining: March 25 away at New Jersey; March 28 (home) and 29 (away) against Danbury and April 4 (away) and April 5 (home) against Danbury.
