Contact: Ben Badua

AMHERST, Mass. - Johnny Van Siclen '13 had two goals and an assist to lead the 10th-ranked Amherst men's hockey team to a 3-1 victory over Little Three rival Wesleyan University at Orr Rink.

Extending their win streak over the Cardinals to eight, the Jeffs improved to 11-4-2 (7-3-1 NESCAC) on the season, while Wesleyan fell to 8-7-2 (4-5-2 NESCAC) on the year.

Making seven saves in a fast paced opening period, Nathan Corey '13 helped keep the Cardinals off the board, making several big stops including a pad save on senior Nick Craven's short-handed breakaway try late in the frame.

With Mike Cashman '15 testing Glenn Stowell '13 in the waning moments of the first, Amherst looked to turn the tide, recording the first four shots of the middle period. On the power play just over five and a half minutes in, Mike Moher '13 backhanded a pretty pass to a charging Van Siclen for the game's opening tally. 

Adding to the Jeff lead at 10:57, Van Siclen took a feed from Conor Brown '16 before evading a Wesleyan defender in the slot and beating Stowell with a shot tucked inside the left post. Minutes later, Ryan Edwards '14 narrowly missed a chance to pad the cushion, ringing a try off the pipe following a draw in the left circle.

Back on the man advantage at the tailend of the second, Topher Flanagan '16 extended the margin, netting his second of the season to make it 3-0. Van Siclen got the play started by pushing a pass to Aaron Deutsch '15 at the point. Flicking a wrister toward the net, Deutsch found Flanagan in front, who redirected the shot across the goal line at 19:34.

Pulling Stowell for an extra skater late in the third period, Tommy Hartnett '14 spoiled Corey's bid for a third shutout, placing a shot in the upper right corner to put the Cardinals on the board with just 1:38 left on the clock.

Thanks to a 9-3 edge in the final frame, Wesleyan held a 21-18 shot-on-goal advantage. Corey made 20 saves en route to his seventh win of the season, while Stowell made 15 stops in the loss. Entering the game having converted just three of their last 20 power plays, the Jeffs finished 2-for-4 on the man advantage, while holding the visitors to a 0-for-3 clip.

Amherst returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 26 against Trinity.