Martlets Outplay Avon

After returning late the night before from a dismal effort in Deerfield, MA against Eaglebrook School, the Second Boys' Hockey managed to regroup and put together three solid periods of hockey to defeat the Winged Beavers of Avon 3-1. Nick Crosby '10 gave the Martlets an early lift at 8:01 of  the first period by scoring a shorthanded goal which he redirected from a perfect Phil Sandler '10 pass. Midway through the second period on a Westminster 2 on 1 offensive rush, Tim Gray '11 finished another Sandler pinpoint pass to extend the Martlet lead to 2-0. With only seconds to go in the middle period Gray and Kirby Zdrill '09 combined to get Sandler the puck in the high slot during a power play opportunity and he fired a low, quick release to the back of the Avon net for his third point of the day. Westminster decided once again to make things tougher on themselves in the third period by getting several penalties and giving up a goal on an Avon power play. Fortunately, outstanding goaltending by Matt Betten '10 and terrific penalty killing efforts by Davie Hovey '09, Joe Putko '08, Hunter Spannaus '09, Conor McGovern '08, Nick Crosby '10 and Charlie Keegan '09 prevented the visiting Winged Beavers from getting any closer. Special thanks to Captain Brian Smith '08 and his assistants Charlie McGwire '08, Joe Putko '08 and Carson Christman '08 for getting the team focused after a long and disappointing road game the night before. The Martlets return from the winter weekend break for a battle with Hotchkiss.