The 2nd place Rebels (22-10-3-2) are set to face the 5th place Black Bears (13-21-3-2) this weekend at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown, NY. Maryland has made two trips this season to the Empire State and they have not fared well. In the four games the Rebels have hosted the Black Bears, they have put up 20 goals and have only allowed four. Jamestown has not lost in regulation since January 5th, picking up at least a point in their past four games. Whereas Maryland is coming off their first home sweep in team history and are currently tied in points with Northeast at 31. The Rebels lead the season series at 6-0-1-1.
Home Ice Advantage:
The Rebels are 10-6-1 when playing in front of their home crowd. Maryland on the other hand is well below .500 when it comes to playing on the road with a record of 6-13-1-1. Three out of the four games played between these two teams in Jamestown have resulted in memorable outcomes. The first game the Rebels put a beating on the Black Bears, scoring seven goals (season high). The following night marked the first shutout for Jamestown this season and it came by a final of 4-0. The very last game of 2018 for both teams was played at the Northwest Arena, where Noah West did it again, securing his second shutout of the season by a final of 4-0.
Penalty Kill:
The Rebels enter this weekend with the second-best penalty kill in the league (85.7%). Maryland is 21st in the league (75.7%). The Rebels have not allowed a power-play goal since January 5th, killing off 25 straight penalties. This is just one reason why they find themselves in 2nd place. They have been short handed 154 times this season and have only allowed 22 power-play goals. The Black Bears have been short handed 185 times and have let in a goal 45 times while trying to kill off a penalty. Maryland is also tied with Minot for most short-handed goals against in the league at seven. Another key reason as to why the PK has been so successful for the Rebels all season is that they are fearless. Constantly blocking shots and keeping the opposition to the perimeter are two things the Rebels do extremely well.
Ryan Keane:
Keane is coming off his third shutout of the season. Since the new year began, he has played in all but one game for the Rebels (3-1-1, 2 SO). With his recent success he now sits in 2nd place for goalies overall (finished 2nd last year). He has an overall record of 17-7-1 with a goals-against-average of 1.86 and a save percentage of .925%. The Dallas, TX native is in his final season of junior hockey and is looking to make it one for the books.
For ticket information call 716-484-2624
