MEDFORD, Mass. – Josh Burke's goal 26 seconds into overtime Friday night lifted the Amherst College men's hockey team to a 5-4 victory over Tufts University at the Madlen Valley Forum. 

The Mammoths improved to 12-8-1 overall and 7-7-1 in conference play with the win. They will be back in action tomorrow afternoon to face Connecticut College for a 3 p.m. conference match. 

GAME HIGHLIGHTS

* Vincent Velocci was credited with the opening goal of the evening at 4:39 into the first period. Velocci skillfully dumped the puck behind the net, setting up Ryan Tucker for a wrap-around shot. Positioned at the low slot, Velocci ripped the shot and found the back of the net. 

* The Jumbos gained momentum, leveling the score at 9:04 in the first period with just seconds remaining in their power play. Cole Dubicki battled along the boards in the right corner of the Mammoth's end. After skating behind the net, Dubicki located Chris Throndson up top for the shot on goal. Trace Norwell picked up the rebound from Throndson's shot and deposited the puck into the net. 

* After a clear from Amherst's zone, the puck ended up in the left corner, where Matt Vander Vort picked it up and sent it to the left point for Ben Ritter for the shot on goal. At 9:58 of the second period, Ben Ritter finished with the tip into goal, giving the Mammoths the one-goal edge.

* With just 3:21 remaining in the second period, a breakaway opportunity propelled the Jumbos down the right side of the ice. Norwell delivered a pass across ice to Dubicki, who unleashed a shot only to be denied by the goaltender. However, John Mulvihill stole the rebound and slipped it into the goal. 

* At 8:17 in the final period, Harrison Bazianos gained control of the puck and skated behind the net, maintaining possession. He wrapped around the right post and aimed for Tyler Sedlak on the opposite side to redirect it into the net. 
Spencer Kimball took the puck near the boards, where Velocci was then able to possess it. Velocci turned around and flicked the puck into the net with 8:10 left in the final period. 

* Evening the score 4-4 at 15:14 in the final period, Vander Vort tipped the puck in after Andrew Carmody took a long shot toward goal by the blue line.

* 26 seconds into the overtime period, Burke secured the final goal after carrying it up the left side of the ice with speed and flicking it into the back of the net. 

BY THE NUMBERS

* The Jumbos outshot the Mammoths 40-36. 

* Tufts held the advantage of face-offs won, winning 47 of the 80 that occurred tonight. 

* Amherst went 0-2 on power plays, while Tufts went 0-3. 

* Connor Leslie saved 36 of the 40 shots he faced on goal.