Longmeadow’s Madison Pelletier ties the game late in the third period against Leominster. (Submitted photo)
HOLYOKE – St. Mary’s scored three times in the second period, including twice in 18 seconds, backing a strong effort by goalie Val Reopel to beat South Hadley 4-2 Saturday afternoon at Fitzpatrick Ice Rink in Holyoke.
“We were short a few guys going into the game, so we knew we had to try a different approach, and we got the results we were hoping for from the kids today,” St. Mary coach Don Goodreau.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first period, Johnathan Spear got the scoring started for the Saints (3-2), taking a feed from Quinn Powers and beating Tiger goalie Justin Garon to tie the game at 1. Shawn Gezotis then took the ensuing faceoff down into the Tigers’ zone, and beat Garon to put the Saints up 2-1.
As the period wound down, the Saints found themselves in a classic 2-on-1 rush, with Tanner Hart waiting until just the right moment, and feeding an open Kenny Bonney for the eventual game winner with 13 seconds left in the period.
Westfield goalie Cameron Parent (33) blocks a shot on the goal. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)
In the third, St. Mary withstood a furious comeback attempt by South Hadley, with Reopel making a number of his 38 saves for the day in that frame.
Spear ended up all alone on a shorthanded bid with four minutes remaining to tally St. Mary’s final score of the game, and give the Saints some much needed breathing room as they finished the game strong. The Saints now stand at 3-2 for the season.
Brownies top Bombers
Agawam 3, Westfield 1
Liam Whitman scored the lone Westfield goal. Agawam goalie Connor McAnanama finished with 41 saves.
Connor McAnanama made 41 saves and two empty-net goals helped the No. 5 Agawam hockey team to a 3-1 victory over No. 4 Westfield on Saturday.
GIRLS’ ICE HOCKEY
Babineau scores twice
Longmeadow (WHS Co-Op) 2, Leominster 2
Katie Babineau scored a game-high two goals to lead Longmeadow (WHS Co-Op) Saturday. Maddie Pelletier and Bailey Tymeson each notched a goal for the Lancers.
Lexi Levere and Kayla Brown combined for 24 Longmeadow saves. Leominster goalie Shelby Guinard had 26.
