Martlets Start 2023 with a W

The Martlets opened up their 2023 campaign this afternoon against a Founders League opponent. The Pride from Trinity-Pawling made the drive out to Simsbury for the 3pm puck drop in Jackson Rink. The Martlets were anxious to get back at it after a tough Flood Marr and after a few solid days of practice had their opportunity to compete this afternoon. Trinity-Pawling is always a tough opponent, they are well coached, and play a very disciplined game. This year's team fit that mold and the Martlets knew they needed a strong push today to find two points. In their first seven games of the season the Martlets had given up the first goal of the game. Going into the New Year the team was determined to be first on the board and thanks to a nice passing play Quinn Pine '25 netted the first goal for the Martlets in 2023 off a nice pass from Rowan Masse '23. Brian Judge '24 would pot the second of the game just a few minutes later off a nice feed from Ryan Shaw '24 to give the Black and Gold the 2-0 lead. The Pride capitalized before period's end to cut the lead to 1. Both teams found their legs in the second frame and period offered plenty of end to end action. Pine netted his second of the game about halfway through the second period off a beautiful pass from Patrick Dotson '24 and minutes later Wade Volo '23 put one home off a nicely executed line rush and pass from Masse. TP would score with 5 left to play in the second to cut the lead to 2 and send the Martlets to the intermission with a 2 goal lead. The Black and Gold were on their heels a bit to start the 3rd and the Pride pounced, scoring a quick one to cut the Martlet lead to 1. With just about 12 left to play Volo netted his second of the game off a nice pass from Pine to give the Martlets the 5-3 lead. Tino DeFazio chipped in with an empty netter to solidify the much needed win. Matteo De Luca was outstanding in net stopping 25 of 28. The Martlets will head to Watertown on Wednesday to face off against a very talented Taft squad.