Martlets Fall to T-P

 

The Martlets opened 2026 by welcoming the Pride of Trinity-Pawling School to Jackson Rink. Trinity-Pawling is always a hard-working, physical team, and this year’s edition was no exception. But JVs matched that intensity, and more, in an exciting hockey game from start to finish. The story of this game was the Pride netminder, who made 55 saves in blanking the Martlets. Overall, the Black and Gold played one of their best games of the season, consistently generating terrific, sustained forechecking pressure in the visitor’s end and firing shot after shot at the Pride cage. But each time—whether from the points through traffic, off the rush, or from point-blank range—the home side was frustrated by the T-P goalie. The equally important subplot of this afternoon’s contest was George Baird ‘26 coming in to relieve starting Westminster goalie Teddy Pemberton ‘29, who had to leave the game at the end of the 1st period with an injury. Baird, who is really playing his first season in the hibernal tools of ignorance, was equal to the challenge, turning aside several good T-P scoring chances. Between them, Pemberton and Baird posted 18 saves for the game (meaning, for those of the faithful doing the math, that Westminster outshot T-P 55-23 today.  Sheez.). But this old coach knows well that the bottom line is getting the biscuit in the basket, and the Martlets simply could not make that happen this afternoon. The coaches felt, however, that the team played hard and well for the vast majority of the game, taking an important step forward in our growth as a team. Unfortunately, the odd mistake or turnover here and there gifted T-P scoring opportunities that they made good on; the Black and Gold were chasing the lead all afternoon. But let’s emphasize the positive: the line of Paul Coccaro ‘28, Captain Xavier Kahn ‘27, and Dylan Zapata ‘27, in particular, had several strong shifts, most significantly in the 2nd period. But equal credit goes to the line of Captain Reed Ghriskey ‘26, Patrick Saxe ‘26, and Sam McGarvey ‘28, and the line of hardworking Drew Doering ‘28, Soren Techet ‘28, and Declan Davies ‘29 deserves mention as well. Also contributing, especially on the penalty kill, were Jack Pickett ‘26 and Lester Gu ‘27. Backstopping the forwards, the Westminster defensemen as a corps played a strong game, matching the physical intensity of the Pride and returning in kind. Kudos to Thomas Merrill ‘28, Carsten Matthews ‘28, Mikey Wang ‘28, Matthew Polastry ‘29, Grayson Augsberger ‘29, and Benj Hanson ‘27. Shout out to Derek Waddell ‘26 as well for throwing his gear on quickly and joining the team as EBUG behind Baird after Pemberton left the game. If there was one thing the team needs to improve on, it is controlling our emotions and playing with the kind of controlled ferocity that winning hockey teams muster every game. Too many times this afternoon, the Martlets allowed the Pride to become a distraction, and the resulting penalties became speed bumps in the team’s efforts to get back into the game. That’ll be a point of emphasis moving forward. This opportunity for growth should not detract from the team’s overall play today: the lads played hard, defensive zone coverage was generally good, and forechecking pressure was often very successful. That’ll be the team’s focus on Monday, as we get back to work and prepare for Taft on Wednesday. That game is also at Jackson Rink, and again, the Martlets are the main attraction at 2:30 pm. So clear those calendars, bring the kids, pack a snack and fill your lucky thermos, and make sure you’re there for the puck drop. Where else would you want to be on a January Wednesday? See you at the rink!