GREENFIELD — The Greenfield hockey team lost to Hudson High School, 4-2, at Collins-Moylan on Saturday night in an independent match up.
Greenfield (5-5-1) held a 2-0 lead until late in the second period. The Hawks scored four unanswered goals to end the Green Wave’s winning streak at five games.
“We were really fortunate and worked really hard to go on a five game winning streak,” Greenfield coach Adam Bouchard said. “That’s really hard to do. You can’t expect to win out the rest of the way but this one stings a little bit. The boys are definitely feeling it in the room right now.”
Greenfield lost last season to the visitors from Central Mass. as well, yet Greenfield could not have asked for a better start in this year’s meeting with the Hawks.
“The start was great for the first 30 minutes,” Bouchard said. “We played Green Wave hockey. Executed our forechecks. Executed our D-zone coverage. Executed our face off responsibilities. All the things you like to see as a coach.”
A power play goal by Hudson’s Braylen Massey got the Hawks right back into the game with one minute, 33 seconds left in the second period. Massey got the goal on a deflection past Greenfield keeper Ben Johnston.
“We took a poor penalty in the offensive zone later on in the second period,” Bouchard said. “Hudson is a great team. We saw them last year. We got a nice, brewing friendly rivalry going. But that offensive zone penalty really changed the entire momentum in the game. They scored on that power play.”
Hudson tied the game 55 seconds into the third period on a goal by Tim O’Malley. Jordan Sousa scored twice in the third period to extend the lead to 4-2. Sousa’s second goal came on a wrister with 7:35 left in the game.
“The boys seemed to shut down in the third period,” Bouchard said. “Which is something we haven’t done over the last five games. We’ve been able to fight through that adversity. But hey, give credit to Hudson. When we turn off the jets a good team like that will keep coming at you.”
Greenfield had some scoring opportunities down the stretch but couldn’t find the net. Luca Siano got the Green Wave on the scoreboard at the 1:50 mark of the first period. Nico Siano managed to win a puck battle behind the net to find his brother for a 1-0 lead for the Green Wave.
With 37 seconds left in the first period, Shawn Beckwith sent the puck in front of the Hudson net. Chase Zraunig managed to get a stick on it to beat Hudson keeper Brandon Garzia.
Greenfield peppered Garzia with multiple scoring attempts in the second period but could not capitalize and extend the lead. Garzia finished with 26 saves. On top of that, Greenfield went 0-for-5 on the power play.
“That momentum shift could have gone really well,” Bouchard said. “There were a couple that could have put us up by three. That’s a really big hole to climb out of. That could have changed the trajectory of the game. Their goaltender played phenomenal. Once they got momentum we broke down with our responsibilities.”
Johnston made 32 saves for the Green Wave.
Greenfield returns to Berry Division play with a showdown with Minnechaug (9-2, 5-1 Berry) on Monday at 2:30 at Olympia Ice Arena in West Springfield.
