Weekend high schools: Evan Simmons notches 100th point for Greenfield hockey

Evan Simmons got the opportunity to record the 100th point of his Greenfield hockey career against his hometown team Saturday.

The Smith Academy senior didn’t let the chance pass.

Simmons took a pass from Doug Hanieski with 5 minute, 46 seconds left in the first period, beat a defender along the boards to the left of the goal and skated in on Easthampton goalie Tyler Cortis. As he skated across the front of the goal crease he got the goalie to move and when Cortis opened his legs, Simmons tucked the puck through to notch the 55th goal and 100th point of his career.

The goal helped the Green Wave tie the Eagles, 4-4, in a battle of the top two teams in the Wright Division at Collins-Moylan Arena.

“I have no words for it,” Simmons said of hitting the mark. “It was incredible. Honestly, I fanned on the initial shot, but I thought I still had a chance and the five-hole was open.”

Simmons followed his brother Jason Simmons, who joined the 100-point club in 2005 while playing for Easthampton.

“It was great to do it against my hometown team, the team my brother got it for,” Simmons said.

Simmons also said that scoring a goal to hit the mark was special and he appreciated his teammates for setting him up.

“Bryan (Baumann) took a huge hit and then Doug (Hanieski) found me,” Simmons said. “I definitely couldn’t have done it without all my teammates.”

Greenfield coach Adam Bouchard was happy for Simmons, who was a freshman when Bouchard took over as head coach four years ago.

“I remember four years ago when Evan started with us. We had a tough season that year. We lost 19 games,” Bouchard recalled. “At some point during that season, I sat down with Simmons and talked about personal goals. He said he would really like to join the 100-point club. He had five points that first year, and has really grown into the player he is today.”

Each team scored twice in the first period and then exchanged one goal apiece over the final two frames. Greenfield took a 4-3 lead midway through the third period when Hanieski scored on an assist from Baumann. Easthampton tied the game with 5:18 to play as Jake Batchelder scored an unassisted goal following a turnover.

The Eagles took a 1-0 lead 2:34 into the game as C.J. Tenczar scored from Patrick O’Connor but the Green Wave potted the next two goals, as Alec Jordan blasted in a shot from the point on an assist from Hanieski, before Simmons notched his 100th to put the Wave up 2-1.

The Eagles tied the game with 15 seconds left in the period when Tenczar scored his second of the game from Dillan Wilson and Batchelder.

Easthampton reclaimed the lead 2:33 into the second as Garren Fugiel scored from Tenczar, but the Green Wave struck with 14 seconds to play in the period on the power play when Baumann scored from Mike McGoldrick and Hanieski.

Riley Drew stopped 18 shots for the Green Wave. Cortis made 22 saves for the Eagles.

South Hadley 3, Wahconah 1 — Ben Watkins scored twice, while Sean Doherty added one goal as the Tigers (4-8-2) won at Fitzpatrick Ice Arena in Holyoke, Saturday.

Trevor Ouimet had one assist and Anthony Cigal made 22 saves for the win.

Amherst Drury —

Westfield 55, Amherst Regional 53 — Kyle Murray had 23 points and Tate Rietkerk added 14, but the Hurricanes (7-7) fell on the road Saturday.

Amherst led 43-35 entering the fourth quarter but couldn’t hold on.

Amherst Regional senior Willy Wright placed first overall in 22 minutes, 37 seconds to win the Berkshire Ski League boys race at Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall, Connecticut, Saturday.

Wright’s teammate Luke Sedor Protti was second in 22:45 for the Hurricanes, who went 1-2. Amherst beat Simsbury (12-30), but fell to Mount Greylock (18-22) and Lenox (18-22).

The Amherst girls team beat Simsbury (10-34), but lost to Mount Greylock (10-34) and Lenox (10-33).

Boys basketball

Westfield 55,
Amherst Regional 53

Amherst (7-7)

Roman 3-0-7, Murray 7-8-23, Leonard 1-0-2, Rietkerk 5-1-14, Willocq 2-0-4, Perry 0-1-1, Blanchard 1-0-2. Totals: Totals: 19-10-53

Westfield (10-5)

Dunn 2-0-5, Wells 7-3-21, J. Santos 1-0-2, G. Santos 5-4-14, Kiendzior 2-1-5, Castro 0-4-4, Torres 2-0-4. Totals: 19-12-55

3-Pointers—Westfield 5 (Wells 4, Dunn) Amherst 5 (Rietkerk 3, Roman, Murray)