Back in the Win Column
March 5, 2019 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Philadelphia Rebels News Release
Over this past weekend the Rebels visited the home of the Maryland Black Bears, Odenton, MD. The Rebels went into the weekend with a record of 27-13-4-3 (61pts). The Black Bears had an overall record of 14-30-3-2 (34pts). The Rebels were coming off two-straight losses to the Generals. The Black Bears were on a seven-game losing streak and in jeopardy of being eliminated from playoff contention.
On Friday, the Rebels started out strong by scoring the first goal of the weekend thanks to Sam Anzai (7) just 6:34 into the opening frame. In the late stages of the 1st period, Nick Stuckless (9) was able to beat Anthony Del Tufo to make it 2-0 Rebels heading into the locker room. The Rebels rode the wave of momentum into the 2nd period where they put two more up on the board, goals coming from Antonio Venuto (14) and Noah Finstrom (8). With 40 minutes gone out of 60 and a 4-0 lead, the Rebels were not done yet as the continued to pour on the shots and goals in the final period of regulation. Jim Glynn (7) was able to score 15:33 into the 3rd period on a 5-on-3 power play. Just :25 seconds later Seth Bergeron (2) scored a power-play goal as well but his was on a 5-on-4. It also marked his first goal in 35 games. With less than :30 seconds to go in the game Stuckless (10) converted the extra point for the Rebels by scoring his second goal of the game. The 7-0 victory tied a season-high goal record for the Rebels this season, which they set back on Nov. 23rd against Maryland. Noah West picked up his third shutout of the season (all against MYD) by stopping 17 shots. The Rebels put 44 shots on Del Tufo through 60 minutes, with 21 of those shots coming in the 3rd period.
The following night the Rebels started West again. As for the Black Bears they elected to go with their top goalie David Tomeo in hopes that he can help his team split the weekend with the Rebels, something that has not been done since Nov. 2-3. Maryland started out by scoring 6:12 into the 1st period on their first man-advantage opportunity of the game. The Rebels were unable to answer by the time the horn sounded ending the first 20 minutes of play. They did however come out more aggressive in the middle frame by scoring three-straight goals. It started with Jake Felker (16) scoring on the power play. Moments later Alex Frye (26) was able to wrist one short side past Tomeo to give the Rebels their first lead of the game. Not even :30 seconds later Auggie Moore (8) was able to put Jamestown up by a pair and it seemed like they were not looking to take their foot of the gas anytime soon. Logan Kons was able to disrupt the scoring surge by the Rebels by pulling his team within one, but it would only be temporarily. Alex Frye (27) scored with under two minutes left in the middle period putting the Rebels back up by a pair. In the 3rd period and with almost five minutes gone, Hunter Johannes redirected Crossman's shot from the point for his 11th goal of the season. Conner Pooley pulled his team back within two after scoring just :14 seconds later. With the score now reading 5-3 and time winding down Tomeo was relieved of his duties for the night as the Black Bears sent out an extra man for the 6-on-5 advantage. It did not work out well for them as Stuckless (11) was able to score with ease into the empty net.
The 6-3 win was the eighth straight over the Black Bears. It was also the last regular season meeting between these two teams. The season series heavily favored the Rebels as they ended up with a record of 10-0-1-1 against the newest team in the NAHL. The Black Bears are the only team in the East to have not beaten the Rebels in regulation during the regular season. Also, West earned his first back-to-back win of the season and is now ranked as the 15th best goalie overall (9-4-3-1, 2.53GAA, .903SV%).
The Rebels travel to Johnstown tomorrow for a game and then will be home this weekend to host New Jersey. They have a chance to clinch this weekend as the magic number to do so is 68. As for the Black Bears they have now lost nine straight and sit 11 points out of a playoff spot with only eight games remaining. The final stretch of the 2018-2019 NAHL regular season is upon us and things will certainly become chaotic as we get closer to April 7th. For ticket information call 71-484-2624 and make sure to follow us on social media.
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