Betten and Company Earn Shutout

Westminster clearly learned from the many mistakes committed in their first losing effort against Loomis two weeks ago. It was a different team this time around - playing much smarter, more disciplined and more intense hockey. A very even first period ended with Nick Crosby '10 getting a great pass from Kirby Zdrill '09 and deking the Pelican goalie for a 1-0 lead. The Martlets played a very controlled second period during which they scored twice to pull ahead 3-0. Early in this second stanza, defenseman Ryan Martin '10 tallied his first Second Team goal by firing a low shot from the point through an excellent screen (Hunter Spannaus '09 and Crosby earned assists on the play). Late in the middle frame, Davie Hovey '09 and Oscar Ladd '11 fed defenseman Drew Vermeer  '10 who delivered a heavy blast by the Loomis netminder. The Martlets continued their territorial dominance in the third period but only got one additional goal from Crosby (his second and three point day) with another assist by Spannaus. The grey line of Spannaus, Crosby and Zdrill had a huge evening accumulating six total points (2g, 4a). Credit must be given to the Pelican goalie who made several spectacular saves in the third period to deny the flying Martlets of more goals. Westminster's Matt Betten '10 played well in goal, particularly in the first period, earning his first shutout of the season. The Martlet team defense allowed only 3 total shots on Betten in the last two periods - outshooting their feathered opponents 29-10 in the game. It was a terrific defensive effort during the final 30 minutes. The Seconds travel to do battle with Berkshire this coming Saturday.