Last year, the Amherst Regional hockey team won a Western Massachusetts title for the first time since 1994.
They did it as the top-seed and an overwhelming favorite in Division 3A.
This season, the second-seeded Hurricanes (12-4-2) are not the favorite in 3A. Top-seeded Chicopee (18-1-1) is.
“As far as expectations and pressure,” Amherst coach Mike Rousseau said. “These kids thrive on it.”
South Hadley (10-7-3) is in the playoffs as well as the third seed in 3A.
The Tigers and the Hurricanes tied twice during the regular season and will settle their differences when they play in the semifinals Saturday at 3 p.m. at The Olympia in West Springfield.
The core of the Amherst offense is back from last year with Jake Balderston and Nathan Masteralexis, but there is youth along the blue line for the Hurricanes.
“The younger guys are ready,” Balderston said. “They went through it in a lesser role last year.”
Clayton Bowser is steady in net for Amherst and is playoff-tested.
Nick Thibault is South Hadley’s leading scorer with 13 goals and 21 assists. Jake Remillard has 415 saves in net for the Tigers this season.
Chicopee has dominated all season long, beating Amherst and South Hadley twice.
“Chicopee is a good team because they’re very quick and capitalize on mistakes better than anyone,” Balderston said. “It’s going to take a really great defensive game by us to beat them.”
Belchertown (9-5-4) will play Taconic (6-8-2) Tuesday at 8 p.m. at The Olympia. The winner of the preliminary game will get Chicopee on Saturday.
“We haven’t seen them (Taconic) since the first weekend,” Belchertown coach Matt Crutch said. “We are a different team. We have grown. The team is excited for a big game.”
Belchertown (9-5-4) lost to Chicopee 9-2 in its first game of the season but bounced back to tie the Pacers 4-4 later in the year.
“Our guys get up for big games,” Crutch said. “Chicopee is super talented offensively. The defense is experienced. They are a complete team.”
Vaughn Gillen leads the Orioles with 15 goals, and Kyle Greene is one of the best goalies in Western Mass. with 472 saves on the season.
