Martlets Defeat Choate

The Martlets welcomed the Wild Boars for a 5 pm game at Jackson Rink – a rematch of a December matchup (a Westminster victory) and a good chance to gauge the team’s progress over the course of the season. As expected, Choate was a gritty, hardworking side, and playing in front of a strong goaltender (who made 38 saves for the game, many of them spectacular) they proved a much-improved and challenging opponent for a Westminster team that had lost two games in a row. The Black and Gold needed a win, and played well and hard for good stretches of the game to earn it. Easton Masse ‘25 opened the scoring with a quick wrist shot on the second shift of the game when Newt Cutler ‘22  – returning to the lineup from injury after a two week absence, during which his leadership was missed – deftly slid the puck across the high slot onto Masse’s tape. Linemate Jack DeGulis ‘23 also assisted, starting the play after a Choate turnover in neutral ice. The 1st period settled into a a pattern that defined most of the game: the Martlets produced sustained pressure in the Choate end, but the Wild Boars played good defense in front of their able keeper. Choate countered on occasion with offensive forays of their own, but Westminster goalie Max Hausman ‘25 was equally good in the home net. Hausman had 11 saves overall, and a few too many of those saves were much-needed as the home side took some chances that in retrospect proved risky or careless. The 1st period ended with the Martlets up 1-0 and in control of the game. Westminster doubled its lead midway through the 2nd period when Jack Peterson ‘25 (just returned to the lineup as well after a long absence) fired a low, hard shot through a screen pass the Choate goalie. Jack Carter ‘23 assisted on Peterson’s goal, collecting the puck on the offensive blue line and finding Peterson just above the right faceoff circle. Westminster would add a third goal later in the 2nd when stalwart defensemen Jack Rockefeller ‘23 received a pass from Masse in neutral ice and streaked along the far boards before firing a laser-like snap shot over the Choate tender’s left shoulder. Cole Raycraft ‘23, whose work ethic and commitment to the team sets a standard for all to follow, started the play when he won possession of the puck in Westminster’s end and fed Masse on a clean exit from the defensive zone. The game entered the 3rd period with Westminster in control and up 3-0, but Choate continued to press and an overly-aggressive Westminster presence in the Choate end led to an odd-man break against; Hausman made the first save on the rush but a lackadaisical backcheck and a failure to cover the slot area gifted the Wild Boars a second chance – which they cashed in on and slammed the puck past Hausman (thus: Hausman’s teammates owe him a little bit of an apology . . .). The Black and Gold recovered well, however, and played the final 7 minutes with good discipline and focused effort, which produced a solid 3-1 win over a game opponent. Not bad for a late Saturday afternoon game – always a tough time slot to play in – and the coaches were happy overall with the team’s effort and the outcome. The team hopes to build on this momentum and will get back to work on Monday to prepare for a rematch with rival Loomis Chaffee on Wednesday at home. The team knows Loomis is certainly looking forward to that match up, and the team will be ready.