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Martlets Back in the Win Column; Clip Pelicans
The Seconds made the quick trip to Windsor to take on league rival Loomis in a rematch of game won by the Martlets a month ago. The home team, scrappy as ever, pressed the Black and Gold at times but the visiting Martlets came away with a solid win, 4-0. Goalie Jack Schroeder '22 had 29 saves en route to the shutout, playing well throughout and bailing his teammates out of jams on more than one occasion. For their part, the Seconds fired 34 shots on the Pelican keeper and produced the greater share of puck possession in the Loomis end. As has been the case, the Westminster defensive corps of Rex Flinn '21 (who played particularly well this afternoon), Ben Michaud '22, Alex Tonioni '22, Wes Oltsch '20 and Nate Stevens '21 controlled the puck and the play for long stretches of the game. This quintet has been instrumental to the team's success this season, and were again in fine harmony today. Westminster's first goal came on the second shift of the game, a mere 1:15 into the opening frame, when captain Jack Murdock '19 forechecked his way to possession of the puck behind the Loomis net and handed it off to a crashing Ryan Huntley '21 on the left post. Stalwart center man Aidan Petrie '20 added to the Martlet lead later in the first period when he collected a loose puck in front of the Pelican bench on a 4-on-4 situation and, taking advantage of the space provided, stepped to the face off dot and beat the Loomis keeper over his left shoulder. The game then settled into a back-and-forth battle, as both teams scrummed for the puck in neutral ice and each had several chances on their opponent's net. The coaches, well aware of the old adage that a 2-0 lead is the most fragile lead in hockey, may have lost a few hairs to their advancing gray in this span, but the Westminster lead held. About midway through the second period, Huntley broke in to the Loomis end on the near boards and, after a quick move or two, got the puck to the net where line mate Alec Paro '19 picked up the rebound, made a move to the right of his own, and tucked it in the empty net. It's unclear if the players on the bench heard the audible sigh of relief from their head coach, knowing from long experience that a 3-0 lead is much better than a 2-0 lead. With Schroeder occasionally making a much-needed save, the team held that margin into the third period. The final stanza was marred by a few too many penalties, as both teams lost their focus a wee bit. During one power play opportunity for the Pelicans defenseman Michaud blocked a shot with his shin pads, deftly kicked the puck to his stick and chipped it to neutral ice – where Hunter Johnson '21 pounced on it and took the puck into the Loomis end on a breakaway. Johnson deked right before pulling the puck to his backhand and lifting it over the keeper's pads. With six minutes remaining, that goal iced the game. A 4-0 win on the road against a Founders League rival is always a great win, and this was certainly no exception. The boys have a Hill Holiday tomorrow, and they'll need their rest: the Martlets are back in action against Northfield Mount Hermon Friday night and Berkshire Saturday afternoon – both tilts at home at Jackson Rink. Ticket sales are brisk, but if you need a seat, feel free to call the assistant coach and he'll take care of you.
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