Martlets Defeat Bearcats

The Martlets were back in action this afternoon against the Bearcats from Hotchkiss. With the winter long weekend in the rearview, the Black and Gold were excited to get their first of eight games in February underway this afternoon. The Martlets battled Hotchkiss earlier this year at the Flood Marr to a tie so there was a level of familiarity between both teams. The Martlets came out flying in the first period with plenty of zone time and opportunities. Despite 20 shots in the first 18 minutes of play, the Martlets were only able to get one by the Hotchkiss tender thanks to Niko Tstatas '24. The Martlets sustained the same effort through the second and were rewarded with two goals. The first of the period came off a very nice shot by Derek Rhodes '25 from the right face-off circle that beat the Hotchkiss goalie glove side high. Niko Tsatas '24 netted his second of the game at the midpoint of the period. The Martlets carried the 3-0 lead into the final period.  The Black and Gold knew the next goal was critical and it was Niko Tsatas '24 who banged home his third of the day early in the period to give the Martlets the 4-0 lead. Hotchkiss kept pushing and eventually put two by De Luca who was stellar all day, as usual, stopping 37 of 39 shots. Blake Burke '25 closed out the scoring with an empty net goal to give the Martlets the 5-2 win. Choate next.