PLATTSBURGH, NY – Josh Burke's two goals and a third-period game-winner from first-year John Small allowed the Amherst men's ice hockey team to lift the Comfort Inn Complex Winter Classic trophy in nail-biting style on Saturday, Jan. 3. Having booked their spot in the final with on overtime win the day prior, the Mammoths took on hosts Plattsburgh State University with the championships on the line. In a game defined by penalties and power play dominance, Amherst got the last laugh, coming out on top late by a 3-2 scoreline.

With the victory, the Mammoths improve to 5-4-1 on the season while Plattsburgh drops to 7-5-0. Amherst will return to NESCAC action next weekend, hosting their first game of 2026 against Colby on Friday, Jan. 9. Puck drop at Orr Rink is scheduled for 7 p.m.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
 
* Burke opened the scoring just over halfway into the frame. After a two consecutive Plattsburgh penalties put the Mammoths in a 5-on-3 power play, the Mammoths broke out of their own end and set up their offense. Captain Ryan Corcoran ripped a shot that hit the post, and puck eventually fell for Burke, who collected it and scored to give his team the lead.
 
* A chaotic first five minutes of the second period produced multiple goals. The first came from Plattsburgh, who netted on a power play of their own 3:39 into the stanza tie the game at 1-1. Then, Amherst responded in kind; just 58 seconds later, another man-advantage opportunity lead to another Burke goal, this time off assists from Small and Vincent Velocci, to give his team their second lead of the game at 2-1 just 4:37 into the period.
 
*  That wasn't the end of the scoring, though, as the period yielded a third goal on the power play, as the Cardinals put a second behind Mammoths' goaltender Vincent Lamberti with seven minutes to go in the frame. That sent the game to a decisive final frame with the teams deadlocked at 2-apiece.

* In fitting fashion, the game winner was also netted on the power play. After a faceoff win from Oliver Flynn, the Mammoths were able to settle their offense. After some smooth passing, Small's first shot was saved, but he wouldn't be denied twice, scoring the second effort to give Amherst a 3-2 lead just 40 seconds into the man-advantage.
 
* With the game on the line, the Amherst defense held strong, outshooting the Cardinals 7-1 in the final 4 minutes of the game to seal a gritty win, 3-2.
 
 
BY THE NUMBERS:
*  All 5 goals were scored on the power-play in an aggressive, penalty-ridden game. Amherst went 3-8 on the man-advantage, while Plattsburgh went 2-5.
 
* With his two goals on the day, Burke extends his team-leading tally to 6 on the season. He also leads the team in points with 11 (5 assists).

* Small's goal was the first of his Amherst career.

* Lamberti made 16 saves on the day.