Martlets Open 2024 with a Win

The Martlets hosted the Rhinos from Taft this afternoon in Jackson Rink. This was the first game for the Martlets since December 17 and despite some very solid practices leading into this one, the rust showed a bit during today's tilt. The Black and Gold opened the scoring just a few minutes into the first frame. Tino DeFazio '24 made a great play deep in the defensive zone to separate a Rhino from the puck before hitting Quinn Pine '25 in stride who found himself alone against the netminder. Pine capitalized on his opportunity to give the Black and Gold the 1-0 lead. Just a minute later the Martlets found themselves on the power play and after a few bids that were steered away, Brian Judge '24 potted one to give the home team an early 2-0 lead. Before the period ended, Blake Burke '25 in his first game back from injury scored off a very nice individual effort to give the Martlets the 3-0 lead after the first period. The Rhinos came roaring back in the second period and carried the play for the entire 18 minutes of play outshooting the Martlets 12-4 in the second period. The Rhinos capitalized on a power play opportunity before the period ended to cut the lead to 2. The third offered up some great end-to-action on both sides. Taft cut the lead to 1 with just over a minute to play with their goalie pulled. The Martlets held on for an exciting 3-2 win at home. Matteo De Luca '24 was outstanding in net stopping 31 of 33 shots.