Winter Sports Highlights for 12.18.17

The Martlets traveled to Deerfield Academy for a makeup game due to the snowstorm over the weekend. Deerfield took an early lead in the first half but the Martlets hung tough. Deerfield shot the ball well from the outside, but the Martlets made a key run late in the second half led by Chris Robinson '20, which cut the lead to 10. Tavian Montanez '21 showed flashes of his ability throughout the game on the offensive and defensive end. Overall, Deerfield was too much for the Martlets to handle down the stretch.

 

The Martlets won their first game of the season with a great team effort against a stingy Pomfret team. Chris Robinson '20 led the team with 23 points and Kyle Hoffman '19 added 15 along with 12 rebounds. Pomfret fought hard the entire game but in the end, the Martlets secured the game with contributions from multiple players.

 

Chris Robinson ‘20 led the Martlets with 22 points. Fritz Gale ‘18 also scored 15 points. Tavian Montanez ‘21 played great defense and hit a three deep shots. Lawrenceville shot the ball well from the outside and controlled the boards for most of the second half. The game was a nail biter all the way to the end.

 

Kyle Hoffman '19 led all scorers with 20 and 15 rebounds. Captain Max Brigham ’18 also had 19 points and eight rebounds. Fritz Gale '18 chipped in with 15 points and five steals to help seal the win for the Martlets. Storm King fought the entire game and tied it up late with under a minute to go. However, Tavian Montanez '21 hit a big three-point shot, along with a key free throw, to help the Martlets bring home their second win of the tournament. The Martlets placed third in the K-O "Frosty" Christmas tournament.

 

It was an exciting game in Jackson Rink on Dec. 11 in front of a large crowd for the home opener. This game was a make-up for a cancelled game, and the boys were fired up to play. Brunswick always brings its very best to this game, and tonight was no different. They carried the play early in the game, and it took some time for Westminster players to get their wheels underneath them again. The break between games did not work in Westminster’s favor. Jordie McKenna ‘19 opened the scoring off a feed from Nate Pane ‘19. The period would end at 1-0 after some excellent play from the Brunswick goalie. The second period was a different story, characterized by special teams play. There were many penalties. Brunswick tied the game early, but Malik Alishlalov ‘20 scored with a bomb past the Brunswick goalie off a feed from Pat Dawson ‘18. Brunswick showed resolve and kept coming, scoring a PP goal and an even strength goal to head into the locker room at 3-2. The third period, like the first and second, was fast-paced and exciting. Chances were had on both sides, and Ryan Doolin ‘18 was able to capitalize on a loose puck in the slot, putting it past Brunswick’s goaltender. Tasso Housakos ‘18 found himself in the right place when a puck squirted through a scrum on front to find his stick. He buried the puck to give Westminster a 4-3 lead. Westminster held on and survived the final minute with the goalie pulled. Ian Shane ’20 was awesome in net all day making huge saves to keep the team in it early and then making a critical save with just under 30 seconds left to get Westminster the win.

 

In an awkward game that saw some awkward bounces on both sides, the first game of the Flood Marr ended in a victory for the Martlets over Andover. Westminster started the game with good pace, pursuing Andover’s defense and executing well. The result after one period of play was 2-0 in favor of the Martlets. Shots in the first period were a surprising 15-1 in favor of Westminster. The Martlets never looked back, ultimately outshooting Andover 40-17. Goal scorers in the first period were Jake Monroe ‘20 and Iggy Belov ‘20. The second period was a little loose from the Martlets, with some odd plays through neutral ice, and Andover took advantage by cutting the lead to one. Sean Clarke ‘19 and Cam Scott ‘18 scored before the end of the second to send Westminster to the locker room 4-1. In the third period, Ryan Doolin ‘18 and Jordie McKenna ‘19 scored one goal each to earn the 6-2 victory.

 

Westminster had a much better game this morning against Hotchkiss at Flood Marr. Hotchkiss came with physical presence and energy, but the Martlets were able to remain patient and organized, and competed hard through three periods. Ian Shane ‘20 was excellent in net, stopping 26 shots from the Bearcats. Jake Monroe ‘20, Tasso Housakos ‘18, Nate Pane ‘19 and Max Torrez ‘18 scored for Westminster.

  

Nobles filled its rink on the night of Dec. 16 for the home contest against Westminster, but the crowd was quieted early. Iggy Belov ‘20 scored early in the first on a break away, sending a laser over the goalie’s glove. Ryan Doolin ‘18 followed this goal up with another pinpoint shot one minute into the second period. Nobles came at the Martlets, but Ian Shane ‘20 stood tall between the pipes. Max Torrez ‘18 notched Westminster’s third goal late in the second period, and Nobles was able to earn one goal at the start of the third. Play in the third period was controlled by Westminster, and the team was able to close the door with two goals in 15 seconds by Michael Fiorini ‘18 and Tasso Housakos ‘18 late in the third.

 

Kimball Union defeated Westminster in the Flood-Marr finals on Dec. 17, handing the Martlets their first loss of the season. Kimball Union was strong out of the gate, and it took some time before Westminster was able to get its game going. A few posts and a crossbar early in the game handcuffed the Martlets, but the real story of the game was a second period full of penalties. Westminster was down by three going into the third period, but the team played an excellent final frame and were able to cut the lead to one late in the third. An empty net goal closed the door for the Martlets. Max Torrez ‘18 and Tasso Housakos ‘18 scored for the Martlets. Alex Gadowski ‘18 entered the game after Ian Shane ‘20 went down with an injury early in the game. Gadowski played fantastic between the pipes, coming up with key saves to keep the game within reach. It was 3-1 on the weekend, and a good showing at the end of 2017 for the Martlets. The boys will have some time to rest and they will look to keep things rolling in 2018.