Martlets Fall to Cardigan

The Martlets hosted a very talented Cougar team for their second game in scarcely 24 hours, and in truth there’s not much to say about this one-sided affair. The home side battled hard at times, but in the end, the Black & Gold just couldn’t match Cardigan’s speed, skill, and intensity. To compete with a team like Cardigan, any opponent has to elevate their game for the full 48 minutes. Firing 52 shots in total on netminder Danny Maher ‘26 – against 11 for the Martlets – the Cougars maintained possession of the puck in all three zones, generating sustained pressure on the Westminster defensemen, transitioning quickly and effectively in neutral ice, and denying the JV forwards any real opportunities. Cardigan was up 0-3 at the end of the 1st, but tallied a decisive six goals in the 2nd, including three shorthanded killers against Westminster. Ouch. Lester Gu ‘27 got the Martlets on the board with 3:40 to go in the third when he whipped a wrist shot over the glove hand of the Cougar keeper, but it was too little, too late. Xavier Kahn ‘27 assisted on Gu’s goal, stealing the puck just inside the Martlet blue line and springy Gu on a semi-breakaway. Auggie Jiranek ‘27 earned the hard hat for his consistent effort and unflagging energy playing hard for his teammates. If nothing else, today’s game should serve as an effective lesson for what the team needs to do as the season gets underway. This old coach knows that there’s no substitute for the basics, and that will be our goal: simplify our play, win puck battles all over the ice, take control of the offensive and defensive blue lines, and be more physically assertive. In sum: double down on the foundations of good, solid, Black & Gold hockey. The coaches were pleased with the team’s overall attitude and support of one another in this challenging game, and that connectedness and commitment to each other will be an important part of our success as we work to improve our game. The JVs will enjoy their Sunday off, but the team is on the road for a local contest against Simsbury High School on Monday – our third game in four days in this NHL schedule. That game will be at the outdoor rink at Simsbury Farms – a December Winter Classic for the Martlets. The rumors are the national media will be there for the 4:15 puck drop. Bundle up: the weather promises to be wet and cold. See you at the rink!