Doug Sattler passes 100 career points for South Hadley hockey team
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HOLYOKE - When Doug Sattler decided to play high school hockey before his junior year, the South Hadley forward didn't even consider the possibility of 100 career points.
When he entered this season needing 57 points, it became even less likely in his mind. But with Sattler's overwhelming talent and that of his teammates, the milestone became reality on Wednesday's senior night.
In just his 40th career varsity game, Sattler reached and surpassed the 100-point mark in the Tigers' 12-1 romp of Chicopee Comp at Fitzpatrick Rink in Holyoke.
"To be able to get to 100 in just two seasons is very exciting, I wasn't expecting it at all," Sattler said. "In fact, I didn't think I'd come close. But I've stepped it up this season along with the rest of the guys."
Right about the midway point of the first period, with South Hadley already leading 2-0, Robert Kass sent Sattler up the left wing on a 2-on-1 with Kyle Martins.
With room to operate, Sattler roofed his shot high to the stick side and under the crossbar for his 25th goal of the season and point No. 100.
"It was a great pass up the boards from Kass, and seeing how the goalie was positioned, I knew that shooting was the right play," Sattler said. "I just put on my hardest shot, and I was pretty much speechless after that."
"He's an extremely unselfish player, and more times than not he'll dish it off," said South Hadley coach John Houle. "He knows he can score a lot, but his game is as a set-up guy."
Sattler was engulfed by his teammates near the end boards, and they celebrated right in front of the Sattler family, which watches every game behind the net the Tigers shoot on.
"They're always right behind the net, so it was great to have them all right there," Sattler said. "They told me to just play my game and see what happens. I'm so grateful to play with this team, I wouldn't want to play with any other group of guys."
The senior added four assists to sit at 104 career points heading into the postseason. He finished the 20-game regular season with 61 points, the most in western Massachusetts.
"When Doug came in last year, you could see right away how well he knows the game," Houle said. "In hockey, a point's a point, goal or assist. Many times, the guy getting the assist does a lot of the work.
"He's got a tremendous set of hands and eyes that see the whole rink, that's Doug in a nutshell," Houle added. "The other guys feed off his ability. He's been such a huge part of our success."
With the victory, South Hadley completed an undefeated regular season at 19-0-1 and finished a perfect 10-0 in Wright Division play. The Tigers should be the top seed in the western Mass. Division 3A tournament.
"It's an accomplishment, I don't think this program has ever done it," Houle said. "But if you don't win in the tournament, it doesn't mean nearly as much. We make our name in the tournament."
Sattler said, "We came in with the attitude that every team is likely to lose at some point, but going into every game, we feel that if we're the hungrier team, there's a real chance to go unbeaten."
Senior Spencer Nawrocki had his fourth hat trick this season, and added four assists. He now has 96 career points going into the tournament.
"I would certainly like to help Spencer get there now, but we have so many options for Coach to choose from," Sattler said. "Spencer and I have worked well together all year, and he's been great."
Chris Menard, who reached the 100-point milestone last season, scored a goal and assisted on three others. Martins (assist) and Tom Crotty (assist) scored twice apiece, while Ben Kravetz (two assists), Joey Harris and Jeff Beauregard had one goal each.
Senior Courtney McCrodden picked up an assist, as did Kass, Nick Harris, Nick Watkins and Jake Knowles.
Devin Hoagland made 17 saves in the win.
The Tigers led 3-0 following Sattler's tally with 7:28 left in the first. After the Colts (6-9-5) cut it to 3-1 later in the period, South Hadley put in the next nine goals.
Michael Wilkinson can be reached at mwilkinson@gazettenet.com.
