Burke Nets Game-Winner in OT

The Martlets hosted the Bear from Berkshire this past Saturday. The rink had a celebratory feel with both our girls and boys programs celebrating their Sixth Formers. Once the pre-game photos ended the boys strapped on their lids and were excited to get after their opponents. Berkshire has had a great year and entered the game at 18-7. The Martlets rolled in after a big win over at Loomis on Wednesday and were riding a bit of momentum since returning from winter break. This game was a great, great prep game. Both teams played a similar style which allowed for a few penalties and great flow. The Bears struck first in the first period of a miscue at the offensive blue line that sent their top player in alone. He capitalized on his opportunity but just two minutes later Quinn Pine '25 tied the game at 1 off a rip from the left faceoff circle that beat the tender short side high. The game opened up in the second period with both teams playing highly offensive games and both teams having to weather sustained zone time by their opponent. The Martlets broke the tie off a very nice sequence that eventually ended with Tommy Coccaro '26 one-timing a puck past the Bears goalie. Berkshire responded to tie the game at 2 but then the Martlets netted the next two thanks to Quinn Pine and Nico Tsatas '24. Towards the end of the period Berkshire found the net again and the teams went to intermission with the Martlets holding the 4-3 lead. Berkshire pushed hard in the third and carried the play. Matteo De Luca '24 stood on his head making some highlight reel saves, ultimately finishing the day of work going 48 for 52. Berkshire did find the tying goal in the third and 54 minutes was not enough in this one to declare a winner. The Martlets gained possession off the face-off to start OT, gained entry into the zone, Tino De Fazio '24 fired a shot at the net that resulted in a scrum. It was Blake Burke '25 who found the loose puck and buried it giving the Martlets the 5-4 OT win. The Martlets enter the final week of the regular season with a bit of an elephant to eat to advance to playoffs. They will take one bite at a time this week and see where they end up come Saturday.