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Martlets Trap Winged Beavers, Battle to 1-1 Tie

A shorthanded Seconds team limped up the Farmington Valley to face a strong Avon Old Farms Varsity B team (their Second team) on a bright and crisp January Wednesday. Depleted by injury and illness, the Martlets were reduced to 10 forwards and four defensemen and faced a full Avon squad boasting an impressive 13-1-1 record to date. The 14 stalwarts in Black and Gold were reduced to 13 when David Harris '21, who was playing with great energy and commitment, left the game midway through the second period with an injury. But the undermanned team was ready with a new, more defensive scheme in place — anticipating what was in store, the team spent most of Tuesday's practice working on it — and the Martlets played with real grit for 50 minutes, including a spirited overtime stanza. The team often found itself killing off penalties. (Avon had eight powerplays on the day to Westminster's none ... one penalty for a bench minor was assessed your humble scribe. Mea culpa.) Led by rock-solid goaltender Jack Schroeder's ’22 32 saves on the afternoon, the Seconds played tough defense in their end and kept the Winged Beavers from getting in on Schroeder's net for rebounds and second chances. Defensemen Rex Flinn '21, Ben Michaud '22, Nate Stevens '21 and Alex Tonioni '22 all played very strong games, often finding themselves one-on-two in the corners and battling in front of the net to keep Schroeder's view of the puck clear. All four played smart, disciplined hockey, doing exactly what the team needed them to do to give Schroeder all the space and time he needed to track the puck. For their part, the Martlet forwards battled in their own end and skillfully set and sprung a neutral ice/offensive blue line trap, bottling up the home side and forcing turnovers. In the first and second periods this approach led to some excellent scoring chances and sustained pressure in the Avon end; ultimately the Martlets had 24 shots in the game with some very near misses. Avon finally broke through the Westminster defense late in the second period when an Avon winger, receiving a quick pass off a loose puck in center ice, ripped a shot from the left faceoff dot over Schroeder's right shoulder with only two minutes to play in the frame. But the Martlets came right back on the next shift, and while they didn't score, the line of Aidan Petrie '20, Will Rizzo '21 and Hunter Johnson '21 put together a nifty combination that almost tied the game. That flurry energized the team and carried it through the end of the period. In that third period, Avon pushed hard to add to their 0-1 lead but the Martlets held firm, blocking shots and keeping the hosts honest with a few rushes of their own. Alec Paro '19 and Carson Roth '19 in particular threw themselves into the fray, each blocking several shots and working hard along the wall (both emerged from the game considerably battered and bruised — badges of honor). Working equally hard were Wick Carter '19, Will Mazzaro '21, Newt Cutler '22 and Walker Jones '20 — all four did a great job containing Avon and working the puck deep to keep the Winged Beavers from developing any rhythm to their game. As the final period war on, fatigue was clearly becoming a factor but there was no quit in the Martlets as they chased the lead. Petrie, who has quietly emerged as a terrific two-way player for the Seconds, forced a turnover just inside the Avon blue line. He advanced the puck to Rizzo, who put it right on the tape of Johnson's stick in the high slot — and Johnson did not miss, finding the upper left-hand corner with just five minutes to go in the game for the equalizer. The end of the third period and the ensuing overtime were wide open, and both teams had their chances but the opposing goalies were equal to the task. The 1-1 tie felt like a win to the Martlets, and credit is due the Winged Beavers: they are a talented and hard-working team. For Westminster, this was a true team effort with all oars in the water, and so also deserving mention is goalie Will Scott '20 who, while he didn't play this afternoon, spent the game supporting and exhorting his teammates as he worked the door — such a presence on the bench is invaluable in a tight game such as this one. In sum, the coaches are very pleased with the team's unity and play this afternoon. As both schools head into their midwinter vacation, they'll look ahead to the rematch at Jackson Rink in February. In the meantime, the Martlets will enjoy a well-deserved long weekend break and return next Tuesday to prepare for the Hotchkiss Bearcats at home Wednesday.
 
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