Martlets Fall To Choate

Jackson Rink was alive with energy on Wednesday night as the Martlets hosted the Wild Boars for a 5:00 PM showdown. Both teams came into the contest riding high: the Martlets fresh off their first wins of the season against NMH, and Choate energized by an overtime triumph over Lawrence just days earlier.

The game exploded into action just two minutes in when Blake Burke ’25 started a slick sequence. Moving the puck to Matteo Di Marzo ’26, Di Marzo threaded a cross-ice pass to Carson Craig ’26, who unleashed a laser that beat the Choate netminder glove-side low. 

But Choate quickly responded. After several minutes of fast-paced, back-and-forth play, the Wild Boars capitalized on a broken play, sneaking one past the Martlet goalie to level the score at 1-1. Momentum shifted as Choate built on their attack, netting a go-ahead goal off a polished passing sequence, sending the visitors into the second period with a 2-1 lead.

The second period was a showcase of grit and determination. The Martlets relentlessly pressured the Choate defense, hunting for the equalizer. With just over a minute remaining in the frame, Erick Brueckmann ’26 delivered. From a sharp angle, he fired a pinpoint shot that soared high short-side and lit the lamp, tying the game at 2-2.

As the third period began, the Martlets kept their foot on the gas, but the Choate goalie stood tall, turning aside an astonishing 45 of 48 shots on the night. Midway through the period, a costly neutral-zone turnover allowed the Wild Boars to regain the lead, making it 3-2 with just 12 minutes to play.

With the clock ticking down and the stakes rising, the Martlets pulled Jack Fichthorn ’26 for the extra attacker in a desperate push to equalize. Despite generating several quality chances, the Wild Boars weathered the onslaught and sealed the game with an empty-net goal, extending their lead to 4-2 with a minute to go.

But the Martlets weren’t done. Playing with fire and urgency, Brueckmann struck again, scoring his second of the night with just 22 seconds left to narrow the gap to 4-3. With Fichthorn back on the bench and the Martlets deploying the extra attacker once more, the home team threw everything they had at Choate. But time ran out, and the Wild Boars held on for the hard-fought victory.

The Martlets will look to bounce back this weekend as they head to Brunswick for their final game before the Flood Marr.