Martlets Defeat Loomis

The Martlets traveled down the Farmington River to Windsor to take on the Pelicans of Loomis Chaffee School in what always promises to be a spirited battle. The game did not disappoint as both teams fought hard for three full periods. The Black and Gold got on the scoreboard first scarcely three minutes into the game on the power play, when Jack DeGulis ‘23 collected a pass from Easton Masse ‘25 in the high slot and fired a shot past the Loomis keeper. Captain Sawyer von Jess also assisted on the play. The Martlets then steadily took control of the game – although the Pelicans did stage several aggressive forays into the Westminster end. Goalie Max Hausman ‘25 played a very strong game, turning aside 21 shots on the evening, including several highlight reel saves that kept the game in Westminster’s favor. The 1st period ended with the JVs up 1-0, and the team renewed their efforts and came storming out in the 2nd. Ultimately, the team would fire 38 shots on the Loomis goal; and many of those came in the 2nd period, which was all Westminster. But the team managed only one goal, when Jack Adams ‘23 – just returned from Covid isolation – picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone and streaked into the Loomis end. A Loomis defender was in hot pursuit, but couldn’t quite catch Adams, who slid a backhander past the Loomis goalie to make it 2-0 Westminster. Heading into the 3rd period, the coaches knew Loomis would throw everything into the first several minutes of the final frame, and they were right: Loomis came flying out and quickly cut the Marlet lead in half with an aggressive push that ended with the puck behind Hausman, tightening the game at 2-1. Responding well, the JVs settled into a more productive rhythm. Throughout, the Martlet forwards established a good bench rotation: the line of DeGulis, Masse, and Jaden Goodsell ‘23, the line of Newt Cutler ‘23, Adams, and Nick Orenstein ‘23, the line of Jackson Alpaugh ‘24, James Frangos ‘24, and Peter Diorio ‘23, and the line of Stuart Dorman ‘23, Jake Timone ‘25, and Jack Peterson “25 all upped their work rate and kept their shifts short to “keep the line moving” in a very productive cycle that put consistent pressure on the Loomis defense. Full credit is due Pelican goalie Connor Bankoff ‘24 – brother of Martlet defenseman Keegan Bankoff ‘22 and playing against him for the first time – who made several really strong saves and ultimately turned aside 35 Martlet shots (and maybe more) to keep his team in the game. For their part, with Hausman in net, the Black and Gold were able to hold off the Loomis push and regain control of the play as the 3rd period unfolded. But full confidence in the win would have to wait for the waning moments of the game: with less than a minute on the clock, Masse stripped the puck from a Loomis player in the Martlet end and streaked up the near boards before finding linemate Goodsell in front of the Pelican net for Westminster’s third goal, sealing the victory. All in all, the coaches were pleased with the team’s play – particularly after three 1-goal losses in a row – and the JVs certainly deserved the win, playing hard and fast. Loomis no doubt will look ahead to the rematch at Jackson Rink in about a month; the Martlet’s will, too. In the meantime, the JVs will get back to work on Monday and prepare for Williston Northhampton next Wednesday – always  a tough game on the road in a challenging rink. For a change of pace, the squad will enjoy our next practice – “mini-game Monday” – on Westminster’s outdoor rink next to the Chapel.