 Davis Bascome’s returned to Towson University SECU Arena to take on their rivals' Utica City for the sixth and final meeting this season.
The Blast welcomed back a Baltimore favorite, Vini Dantas, who was acquired from the Tacoma Stars late in the season, with the Blast winning 6 – 3 clinching a Play-Off spot.
Utica jumped out to an early lead when Joey Tavernese found the back of the net. Utica started out with a strong defense, making it difficult for Baltimore to get a shot off. With only 15 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Juan Pereira would find the back of the net evening the score, 1-1.
This slow pace continued into the second quarter as both teams went back and forth, unable to make any advancements towards a goal. The Blast were faced with strong opposition from Utica, who utilized their space well on the field making it difficult for Baltimore to connect their passes. Ultimately, neither team would score before the end of the first half.
The Blast regrouped at halftime and came out with twice the energy. Adriano Dos Santos capitalized off Utica's incomplete pass, allowing Lucas Roque to make a fast break to goal, extending the Blast lead by one. The entire arena was on their feet excited to welcome Vini Dantas back home to Baltimore, when he found the back of the net, recording his first goal with the Blast this season. Once just wasn't enough for Dantas, as he quickly returned with his second of the night, giving the Blast a 3 goal lead.
Only nine seconds into the fourth quarter, the Blast took a 5-1 lead when Vini Dantas scored a hat-trick. Moises Gonzalez found the back of the net late into the fourth quarter, recording Utica's second goal of the night. With a give-and-go off the boards to himself, Lucas Roque would push towards goal, recording his second of the night. As Jake Shindler carried the ball down the right field and shot it across the goal, it was deflected off Josh Hughes as he was running back into the goal, cutting the Blast lead 6-3. The Blast would have a powerplay opportunity but Utica would successfully kill the powerplay. With 55.7 seconds remaining, frustrations were high for Utica, as seen when Domenico Vitale received a yellow card for dissent that quickly escalated to a red card ejection for use of foul language. The Blast defeated Utica, 6-3.
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