Details

Martlets Fall to Pelicans

Despite dominating play for long stretches and generating over 40 shots on the afternoon, the Martlets could only solve the riddle of the Loomis goaltender once and fell to the visitors 1-4 at Jackson rink. The Pelican keeper had 43 saves on the afternoon, many of them coming in flurries as the Seconds, particularly in a strong second period, controlled the play fired shot after shot on net. Rich Mugler '22, his counterpart in the Martlet net, also played well and had 24 saves of his own, including several highlight reel ones. Loomis jumped on the board first midway through the opening period when they won a face-off to the left of Mugler and quickly fired the puck on net; an untouched Loomis forward got behind the Martlet defenders and had an open net to tap the rebound in. Gathering themselves, the Black and Gold played better and better as the first period continued, and evened the score when scrappy David Harris '21 won a puck behind the net and took advantage of a rare Pelican goalie error to wrap the puck in around the near post. The second period was all Westminster, and it seemed only a matter of time before the Martlets would earn the go-ahead goal. But as sometimes happens in hockey, their efforts were for naught, and the second period ended with the score knotted at 1-1. The third began with more of the same until aggressive Westminster forechecking in the Loomis end led to a Martlet penalty. Taking full advantage, the Loomis power play unit controlled the puck in the Westminster zone and worked a chalkboard-perfect play out of the near corner, up to the near point and over to the far point where the Pelican on the receiving end fired a hard shot through traffic over Mugler's shoulder to gain the 1-2 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the game. The Martlets got back to work, but a long shift led to a slow backcheck and an odd-man Loomis rush that made the score 1-3. That goal hurt, coming with seven minutes remaining, all the more because it was avoidable and represented really the only serious mistake the home side had made all game. With two minutes to go, the Seconds pulled Mugler and generated some good pressure, but a loss of possession just inside the blue line led to an empty net goal to put the visitors up 1-4. Overall, it was a bit of a frustrating game given how well the team played for most of it. In particular, Oscar Ball '22 and Will Mazzaro '21 had good games and fired shot after shot at the Pelican net. Likewise the line of Will Rizzo '21, Newt Cutler '22 and Xander Cardia '21 had several impressive shifts. Harris' linemates Peter Diorio '23 and Jack Adams '23 played well, particularly late in the game. And, as always, the Martlet defensive corps – led by Nate Stevens '21 and including Rex Flinn '21, Sawyer von Jess '22, Jack Rockefeller '23, Ben Michaud '22 and Keegan Bankoff '22 – did a good job in front of Mugler and getting the puck up and out of the defensive zone. Several are playing banged up as this long season has taken its toll. The team will enjoy Jersey Day in practice tomorrow, and then get back to work on Friday to prepare for a strong Berkshire team on the road Saturday.
 
Back

Contact Us

995 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070

P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students
In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. 
© Copyright 2024 Westminster School  |  Privacy Policy
AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.