Martlets Score Late to Seal Win

The Martlets hopped on the western New England independent school highway (Route 44, for the uninitiated) to take on the Berkshire Bears on a cold, snowy February Saturday. The Bears, always a tough, well-coached opponent, proved to be a terrific match-up for the Black and Gold, and the two teams battled for the full 48 minutes with the JVs earning a hard-fought 2-1 victory. With only one referee – who, it must be said, did an overall excellent job in tough circumstances – the game was a physical affair, with both sides taking the occasional, ahem, liberties. Nevertheless, it was a really good hockey game, made the more so by the Martlets strong team play in the 2nd and especially 3rd periods, playing up-tempo and with purpose in the win. The team got off to a slow start, perhaps with some bus legs. The hosts took advantage, opening the scoring in the first period when a deflected shot from the point found its way up and over the shoulder of goalie Alec Rosenbaum ‘23 with 1:41 to go in the period. Though Westminster generated a few scoring chances in the opening stanza, that was the only goal of the period and Berkshire led after one, 0-1. The Martlets gathered themselves in the 2nd, and while Berkshire came on strongly, the JVs were able to keep the Bears from adding to their lead. Rosenbaum, in particular, was very good, making several tough saves (ultimately, he posted 26 saves in the win). Overall, the team’s defense improved with every shift. More than a few pucks sat in Rosenbaum’s crease for a half-heartbeat too long – for the coaches anyway – but the Martlet defensive corps – Captain Sawyer von Jess ‘22, Keegan Bankoff ‘22, Jack Rockefeller ‘22, Luke Reiter ‘23, Miles Kim ‘24, and Jack Carter ‘23 – was once again solid in front of Rosenbaum and managed to clear away puck after puck. The first half of the 2nd period was all Berkshire, with Westminster having to kill off three successive penalties – which they were able to do with some good structure and decision-making. That generated some positive momentum. The Martlets evened the score at 1–1 midway through the 2nd when von Jess collected a loose puck from the far boards and fired a quick shot through traffic and into the Bear net (like Berkshire’s earlier goal, this shot was deflected as well). Assistant Captain Newt Cutler ‘23, celebrating his birthday, assisted on the play. From that point forward, the game turned more and more in the Martlets’ favor. Gathering themselves between the 2nd and 3rd periods, the Martlets responded to the coaches’ emphasis on team discipline and commitment (we define both simply as putting the team before self) and came out of the locker room with real purpose for the 3rd. Every Martlet did their part in the final frame, with several strong and increasingly physical shifts as the Bears made their own attempt to seize control of the game. Forwards Nick Orenstein ‘23, Easton Masse ‘25, Jack DeGulis ‘23, Cole Raycraft ‘23, Jack Adams ‘23, Peter Diorio ‘23, Jake Timone ‘25, Jack Peterson ‘25, Jackson Alpaugh ‘24, James Frangos ‘24, and ace utility man Stuart Dorman ‘23 (more useful than a Swiss Army knife, and just as sharp) all contributed in a productive, focused effort to “keep the line moving.” Each contributed in key ways that won’t show up on the scoresheet: Diorio getting the puck deep, Timone muscling past a Bear defensemen, Peterson playing an overall smart game, Alpaugh playing well on the defensive side of the puck, Frangos forechecking with purpose, and on an on. With the pressure building and under 3 minutes to play – and the ice tilting in the Martlets’ favor – the reunited line of Raycraft, Cutler, and Adams (which at least one coach described as “magic” between periods) worked the puck into the Bear end. Carter intercepted a puck at the far point and found Cutler down low in the corner; Cutler quickly cut behind the Berkshire net and, with Raycraft tying up a defensemen in front, found Adams right on the tape in the slot. Adams made no mistake and fired the puck past the Berkshire keeper for the first Martlet lead of the game with only 2:41 on the clock. What followed was a little chaotic; with the Bear keeper on the bench and after a wild scrum in the Martlet end, Westminster had to bear down, block shots, and overall play good, scrambling defense to maintain the lead. But maintain it they did, and when the final horn sounded the Black and Gold were on top 2-1. This was a good win for the team, not least because the boys responded to a real Berkshire challenge in the 2nd and came together to play a really good 3rd. The coaches were very pleased with the team’s play in the win – a genuine team victory. A little exhausted, but in good spirits, the team boarded the bus for the ride home, making a well-deserved stop at the Canaan McDonald’s, a sort of holy shrine for teams traveling in western Connecticut. The team will look to keep the streak going on the road on Wednesday against Avon – a rematch of a stinging 1-5 loss earlier this season. Tickets are at a premium, but friends of the program will have VIP access. Call Coach Stevens.