SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT. – A three-goal third period helped the Amherst College men's ice hockey team take control of a tight game and bag their first win of the 2024-25 season Tuesday, Nov. 26. The Mammoths took down Saint Michael's College on the road, snatching a 5-3 victory over the Purple Knights. 

With the win, the Mammoths improve to 1-2-1 this season, while Saint Michael's fell to 7-3 this year. Amherst will finish Thanksgiving break with two more games this coming weekend. They will first face off against the State University of New York (SUNY) Geneseo on the road on Saturday, Nov. 30; puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
 
* The game began with the Mammoths on the back foot, and despite stretches of play in their offensive zone Amherst soon found themselves behind after two goals in two minutes from the Purple Knights' SJ LeCompte. The Mammoths finished the first period in a 2-0 hole, and seeking a spark to turn things around.
 
* They came out in the second period with a renewed energy, storming back into the game and outscoring Saint Michael's 5-1 the rest of the way. Their first goal game courtesy of Ben Kuzma just 2:31 into the period, off assists from Ben Snyderman and Matt Toporowski. And, seven minutes later, the game was tied once again as senior Bobby Luca netted to make the game 2-2 halfway through the period. That score would stand as the teams headed into the locker room looking for the breakthrough.

* Though the Purple Knights scored first in the third period, retaking the lead with a power-play goal, the Amherst answered just one minute later when Kuzma tallied his second of the game at the 5:25 mark.
 
* Toporowski gave the Mammoths their first lead of the game just over halfway through the period on a four-on-three power play. After two Saint Michael's players were sent to the box, the senior netted the game-winner off assists from Kuzma and Josh Burke. The goal started a run of play in which Amherst had most of the shots and offensive momentum, and they capitalized on it a few minutes later --- shootout hero Zachary Murray tallied his first official goal of the season at 16:34 to give the Mammoths a two-goal advantage.  
 
* It was here that the Mammoths' defense came up big, keeping the Purple Knights off the scoreboard for the rest of the game and blocking multiple shots. They did this despite facing six attempts in the final 2:30 after Saint Michael's pulled their goalie for an extra skater in a final attempt to gain ground. However, the final horn soon sounded, and Amherst took home a 5-3 win.
 
BY THE NUMBERS:

* Four Mammoths recorded multi-point games against Saint Michael's: Kuzma (2G, 2A), Burke (2A), Toporowski (1G, 1A) and Snyderman (2A). Snyderman's assists were the first points of his collegiate career.
 
* Amherst outshot the Purple Knights 74-48 in the contest and led 40-25 in shots on goal.

* De Luca made 22 saves in his first collegiate start, good for a .880 save percentage and his first win with the Mammoths.