ODENTON, M.D. – The Elmira Aviators (1-2-0-0) failed to solve the Maryland Black Bears’ (2-1-0-0) defense Friday night, losing 3-0 at Piney Orchard Ice Arena.
On the surface, it may have looked like a goaltending duel, but Elmira goaltender Vladimir Pechenin stood on his head to keep the Aviators in the game. Meanwhile, Maryland goaltender Ryan Denes coasted his way to a shutout.
Denes faced 17 total Aviator shots. He faced just seven after the first period and a mere two shots on target in the third. The Black Bear goalie couldn’t recall making a save in the final period when fielding a post-game interview.
On the other side, Elmira’s netminder was ambushed, facing 49 shots and stopping 47 of them. Pechenin has faced over 40 shots in both of his starts this season.
Pechenin made every kind of save, from windmill glove saves, positional stops and kick saves. Elmira’s goaltender stood tall.
Outside of the Aviator cage, not much went right for Elmira on Friday night.
The Black Bears dominated puck possession and controlled territory. After the Aviators’ forecheck started the game strong, its effectiveness faded.
Maryland’s Owen Drury scored a power play goal in the dying seconds of the first period to give his team a 1-0 lead. His goal went down as the game winner and was the only tally seen for nearly the next 40 minutes.
The defense held strong for Elmira in the second and third periods. The penalty kill stood tall the next three times it was called upon, but the Aviators’ attack never kicked into gear.
The Black Bears broke through to double their lead with about two minutes remaining in regulation time. They added an empty-net goal to put a bow on a home-opening victory.
Elmira will take on Maryland in the final matchup of a two-game set Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. The games are available to stream or listen to on NATV and Wingz 93.
Mac Young is the play-by-play voice of the Elmira Aviators. To contact him, email [email protected].