AMHERST, MA – The sixth-ranked and top-seeded Amherst College men's ice hockey team scored four goals in the third period to earn a 4-1 win over eighth-seeded Tufts University at Orr Rink in the quarterfinal round of the NESCAC Championship. Amherst (19-4-1, 16-2-1 NESCAC) advances to next weekend's semifinal round, while Tufts ends its season at 11-12-2 (7-10-2 NESCAC).

In addition to increasing its winning streak to 11 games, Amherst tied a program record for wins in a season, matching the 19 victories the Lord Jeffs had during the 1998-99 campaign. Amherst has scored at least three goals in each of its 19 wins this season and has scored at least four goals in each of its last eight.

Amherst sophomore Cole Anderson (Sylvan Lake, AB) entered Saturday's game with the lowest goals-against average and highest save percentage in Division III, but it was Tufts first-year Scott Barchard (Reading, MA) who stole the show in the opening period. Three minutes into the game, the Lord Jeffs went on a 3-on-1 break only to have a shot by sophomore Luke Arnold (Lincoln, MA) denied by the Jumbos' goalie.

With the hosts on the power play eight minutes into the first frame, a flurry of offense in front of the visitors' net led to a pair of point-blank saves by Barchard. Amherst was whistled for tripping shortly after to create 53 seconds of 4-on-4 hockey, but both defenses stood their ground to keep the game scoreless.

Each team had a good scoring chance in the final four minutes of the first period, as Tufts senior Jared Melillo (Medford, MA) was denied by Anderson at the doorstep and could not poke in the rebound. Amherst senior Joel Covelli (Carlisle, ON) hit the crossbar just 1:30 later after he skated in on the right wing, just missing the top corner of the net.

Barchard made 19 saves in the first period, while Anderson stopped seven shots for the Jeffs, as each young goalie looked impressive early on.

Covelli was called for hooking just 59 seconds into the second period, but Tufts could not capitalize on the power play. Right as the 5-on-4 ended, the Jeffs found Arnold all alone in front of the net, but the Amherst sophomore was unable to put his team on the scoreboard as Barchard once again came up with a huge save.

Midway through the second frame junior co-captain David Antonelli (Westwood, MA) and junior Joe Rosano (Cohasset, MA) went on a 2-on-1 break down the left side. Antonelli fed Rosano in front of the net, but Anderson was up to the challenge and came up with the stop.

A pair of Tufts penalties led to 1:19 of a 5-on-3 opportunity for Amherst, but Barchard made a sprawling save when Covelli attempted to go top shelf for the Jeffs' best opportunity of the power play. With 10 seconds remaining on the 5-on-4, Rosano gained control of the puck and skated in untouched only to be denied by Anderson, as Amherst looked sloppy during the power play.

The second period came to a close with the score still at 0-0, as Barchard made another 16 saves to keep the shutout alive and Anderson stopped another seven shots.

Amherst celebrated what it thought was the game's first goal 49 seconds into the third period, but the refs called off what the home fans believed was a score from senior Brendan Powers (Walpole, MA). During a Tufts power play that began just 30 seconds later, sophomore Andy Davis (Woburn, MA) hit a wide-open Tom Derosa (Charlestown, MA) on the far post, but Derosa lost his footing and his one-timer went wide.

After 44 minutes of evenly-matched hockey, Amherst completely turned the tables by scoring two goals in a span of 27 seconds before adding a third less than three minutes later. Senior Rylan Burns (Jasper, AB) put his team on the board 6:06 into the third frame when he cleaned up a rebound on the far post, and junior Ted Vickers (Chilliwack, BC) made it a 2-0 game when the Jeffs capitalized on a 3-on-2 break. Tufts called a timeout to regroup after the second goal as the home crowd was finally treated to some scoring.

Sophomore Matt Rhone (Dedham, MA) gave the Jeffs a 3-0 lead 9:15 into the third when he coasted in on a loose puck at the point and buried a top-shelf slap shot for a highlight-reel power play goal. The Tufts defense seemed deflated after the third goal, but the Jumbos struck back when first-year Igor Federov (Dix Hills, NY) cleaned up a rebound with a powerful one-timer that beat Anderson after the sophomore goaltender had made a pair of saves. Federov cut the deficit to two goals with 5:56 to play in regulation.

Amherst chalked up an empty-net goal with 38 seconds remaining in regulation when Wray was left all alone on the right wing before chipping in the final tally of the afternoon, as the Jeffs protected their home ice with the 4-1 victory.

Anderson made 27 saves to improve to 9-3-1 on the year, while Barchard stopped 50 shots to drop to 10-12-2.

The Lord Jeffs will host the NESCAC Championship semifinal and final rounds next weekend, with game dates and times yet to be determined.