Simmons makes immediate impact
The rich just got a little richer.
A familiar and very important face was back in the lineup for the St. Catharines Athletics Wednesday with the return of sniper Alex Simmons from the University of Denver.
Simmons was in the lineup for the first time this season and collected two goals and five assists as the A’s defeated the Six Nations Arrows 13-6 in Ontario Lacrosse Association junior A action at Jack Gatecliff Arena.
Simmons, a 20-year-old native of Hamilton, had been following the team as closely as possible from Denver, where he just returned from his first season as a member of the field lacrosse team.
“It’s great. This atmosphere is amazing,” Simmons said. “When I got off the plane, I couldn’t wait to get here. I flew in Tuesday and all I could think about was this game and being back with the guys.
“There’s no better time than being with these guys.”
Simmons said the boys kept him up to date as best they could.
“We keep a group chat going and we have a lot of connection,” he said. “I knew what was going on and I saw all the stats so I knew what was going on with that.
“It’s tough being away from them. These are my best friends growing up and I know I have to deal with another team in Denver. They stayed really connected with me.”
Simmons brings another legitimate goal scorer to a team which has had more than its share of injuries so far, particularly up front.
A’s coach Steve Toll is thrilled Simmons has returned.
“It’s almost like you’re getting a new player at the trade deadline,” Toll said. “Simmons has known these boys forever and they know what his game brings and we know what his game brings.”
Toll sees no issues with working Simmons into an already talented lineup.
“Is he going to take shots away from other guys? Ya. But does he have a higher percentage of scoring? Ya. It’s the same as in hockey. Sidney Crosby comes back from a month-long injury and you let him back into the lineup.
“He’s that type of an impact player. He’s just got all the tools on offence. He’s smart and shoots the ball hard and sees the floor well. He does it all for us.”
Simmons led the A’s in scoring last season with 37 goals and 82 points in just 13 regular season games. He continued to put the ball in the net in the playoffs with 12 goals and 25 points in eight games.
“It’s exciting. I love the pressure,” Simmons said. “It’s what I love doing. The last couple of years I’ve come back and even though I played really well I was shaking before the games and nervous how I was going to do.
“I really just care about winning. It’s more about the team.”
Simmons collected 12 goals and 16 points in 15 games as a freshman with Denver.
“There’s definitely a little bit of a transition coming back to the box game,” he said. “It’s a bit different with a different pace but it’s fun. It’s going to be getting used to some new guys I haven’t played with before but I think I can get used to those guys.
“I’m just looking to put some goals on the board.”
Simmons, who is majoring in English and hopes to teach or go into journalism, enjoyed his first season with the Pioneers.
“Denver was great. I had a lot of fun and made a lot of great friends,” he said. “I did well. I was starting for a little bit. As a freshman, I have to earn the trust and work my way up.”
Kealan Pilon added four goals while Saul Van Der Zalm and Brayden Mayea chipped in with a pair each. Gavin McGregor, Jake McNabb and Jacob McMillan also scored.
Nick Damude made 31 saves in net for the win.
The A’s are back in action Sunday and Mimico and Tuesday at Kitchener-Waterloo. They host Peterborough next Wednesday.
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