Martlets Shutout by Bearcats

The Martlets took the ice Saturday afternoon at Nobles knowing what was at stake: a win would send them to the Flood Marr Tournament finals on Sunday, while a loss would push them into the last-place game. Coming off a strong, disciplined win over Milton on Friday night, Westminster was eager for the challenge against league rival Hotchkiss.

From the opening faceoff, however, the Bearcats were the more prepared and assertive team. Hotchkiss dictated the pace, won key battles, and capitalized on their opportunities, while the Martlets struggled to find the structure and execution that had defined their play the night before. Westminster drifted away from the habits that had limited opponents’ chances and supported strong two-way hockey on Friday, and Hotchkiss made them pay. By the midpoint of the game, the Martlets found themselves trailing 4–0.

Following a timeout, Westminster responded with a much more composed and competitive effort. The Black and Gold settled in, tightened up defensively, and began to generate sustained offensive-zone time. The second half of the game saw a noticeable improvement in pace, puck management, and overall structure—an encouraging sign for the coaching staff. Despite creating several quality scoring chances, the Martlets were unable to solve the Hotchkiss goaltender, widely regarded as one of the top netminders in New England.

The final score did not reflect the improved play after the timeout, but the response and pushback provided a valuable takeaway heading into Sunday.