WEST SPRINGFIELD – The short-handed Saints nearly pulled off a miracle on the ice, but as they learned late Tuesday that would not be their fate.
Vinni Criandi scored two goals, Nate Lapine had four points (1 goal, 3 assists), and No. 3 Wahconah skated past sixth-seeded St. Mary 4-1 in a Division 3A boys’ ice hockey tournament opener Tuesday night at The Olympia Ice Center in West Springfield.
St. Mary (10-10-1) rallied from a 2-0 deficit with a late first-period goal, courtesy of forward Matt King.
The Saints battled hard for the next two periods, attempting to net the equalizer, but fell short as Wahconah (15-4-1) scored a pair of empty-netters late to seal the win.
It was a tough loss for some St. Mary faithful to swallow, knowing several key players were sidelined due to suspensions for a disqualification incurred earlier in the season. Four players, including the team’s top two leading scorers – senior captain Johnathan “Budda” Spear and Shaun Gezotis – sat out Tuesday night’s game due to a clerical error made by the school’s athletic director’s office.
According to St. Mary AD Rob Lepage, athletic officials at the school thought each of the players only had to sit out one game, when, in fact, according to Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association rules and regulations, the infraction (suffered during a regular season game against Chicopee) drew a two-game suspension. Because only one game was served during the regular season, the second game was required immediately upon commencement of the postseason.
The loss of the players’ services left a bitter taste in the mouth of those closest to the organization.
“We’re extremely disappointed,” said Geof Spear, whose son Johnathan was unable to participate in the final game of his high school career.
“The kids did nothing wrong,” he said. “They listened to the AD and coaches. Not one of them knew the correct rules or regulations … They dropped the ball so hard, it’s not funny.”
Had either Spear or Gezotis been able to pick up the puck with their sticks in Tuesday night’s contest, the outcome may not have been the same.
“They made it to the playoffs, they busted their asses for what?” Geof Spear said.
Rob Lepage issued a statement Sunday night apologizing for the department’s error. The school, nor the coaching staff, have issued any further statements regarding the paperwork snafu to parents, players, or the media.
