Martlets Top Rhinos in Jackson Rink

The Westminster Martlets earned a hard-fought 4–3 Founders League victory over Taft on Wednesday at Jackson Rink in a tightly played, back-and-forth game that showcased disciplined, high-level hockey from both teams.

Westminster struck first early in the opening period after strong work from Timmy Donohue ’26 and Owen Burke ’26 created a net-front scramble. Gus McGarvey ’26 was in the right place at the right time, banging home a rebound that sat at the Taft netminder’s feet to give the Martlets a 1–0 lead.

Taft answered just minutes later to even the score, and the game quickly settled into a well-structured, detailed battle at both ends of the ice. Midway through the period, Owen Burke ’26 picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, carried it into the Taft end, and snapped a shot glove-side high to restore Westminster’s lead. Taft, however, capitalized on a late power play to tie the game at 2 before the first intermission.

The Martlets delivered an excellent second period, playing clean at both blue lines and generating a number of quality scoring chances. Massimo Guarnieri ’26 put Westminster back in front with a well-finished goal off a nice feed from Brenden Gilooly ’26. Just minutes later, Ryan Holmes ’28 extended the lead to 4–2 for the Black and Gold.

Taft refused to go away, taking advantage of a coverage breakdown late in the period to cut the deficit to one before the horn sounded.

The third period was an intense, playoff-like frame. Taft carried much of the early play, but Caden Weichselbaumer was solid in net, stopping 27 of 30 shots he faced on the day. The Martlets’ defensive corps answered the challenge time and again, including successfully killing off a 6-on-4 advantage for the Rhinos in the final minutes. Westminster held firm to secure a big 4–3 Founders League win.

Westminster finished the afternoon with 37 shots on goal in a strong all-around team performance.

Grit and Grace Award : Brenden Gilooly for being all over the ice tonight making plays and being really good on both sides of the puck.