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NAHL Maryland Black Bears

Van Why's Overtime Hat Trick Goal Stuns Maine in 5-4 Comeback Win

February 11, 2023 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Maryland Black Bears News Release


The Maryland Black Bears looked to bounce back after a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to the Maine Nordiques the night prior. But after the Nordiques scored the game's first four goals, the Black Bears' chances looked bleak. But thanks to a fantastic effort by Maryland, the Black Bears scored the next five goals, with defenseman Luke Van Why leading the charging and capping off his hat trick with the overtime winner to cement a 5-4 comeback win for Maryland.

Maine struck first just over two minutes in when forward Oliver Genest snapped a shot under the glove arm of Black Bears' goalie William Hakansson to make it 1-0. Nordiques forward Tony Achille followed that up just over two minutes later, crossing from near to far side through the slot and snapped a shot low left side to make it 2-0. Four minutes later, it was Maine forward Filip Wiberg snapping the puck five-hole through a screen to make it 3-0. This ended Hakansson's night, and Maryland goalie Jack Weineke took over duties in between the pipes. Later in the period, it was Nordiques' forward Aidan Coupe scoring on a one-time slap shot from the far circle to make the game 4-0.

Maryland finally got on the board later in the first period with a snapshot goal by forward Christian Catalano, who snapped the puck five-hole on Maine goalie Thomas Heaney right off the faceoff to make it 4-1. The scoring resumed in the third, where Black Bears' defenseman Luke Van Why slammed home a powerplay goal in the slot to make it 4-2. Van Why followed that up less than three minutes later with a slap-shot from the top of the far circle that went top shelf to cut the lead to 4-3.

Four minutes later, it was a powerplay goal for the Black Bears, this time a slap-shot goal from the near point from defenseman Kaleb Tiessen to make it 4-4. The game went to overtime where Luke Van Why completed the comeback, and his hat trick, by snapping a shot from the high slot under the glove of Heaney to end the game with a 5-4 Maryland overtime win. Jack Weineke made 15 saves in the relief win.

Maryland will hit the road for the next three games, with two games on Friday, February 17th, and Saturday, February 18th, against the Johnstown Tomahawks. After a quick stop against the Philidelphia Rebels on Tuesday, February 21st, the Black Bears return home against the Philadelphia Rebels on Friday, February 24th at Piney Orchard Ice Arena. All games can be streamed on HockeyTV.

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