Contact: Mike O'Brien

AMHERST, Mass. – Despite a decisive 18-3 shot advantage in the third period, the Amherst men's ice hockey team skated to a 1-1 overtime draw in its regular season home finale against Tufts at Orr Rink.

Sunday's tie marked the Jeffs second consecutive 1-1 overtime draw in as many days and are now 13-6-3 overall and 11-3-2 in the conference. Tufts is now 3-18-1 on the season and 1-14-1 in league play.

The first period featured 20 minutes of scoreless action in a very even frame. Tufts held a 6-5 advantage in shots but Amherst came inches away from taking a lead in the closing seconds. Mike Rowbotham '15 sent one towards the top shelf above the pads of Jumbo goalie Greg Jenkins '14, but his attempt hit the post and redirected away from any Jeff, taking away an empty net opportunity.

After a scoreless opening frame, the Jumbos got on the board early in the second. Despite being down a player, George Pantazopoulos '15 skated to a 1v1 against Jeff net-minder Johnny Russell '14 and snuck it past him for the short-handed goal at 1:13.

However, Amherst answered minutes later on a similar play in which Dan Merenich '15 sent a pass forward to Jake Turrin '15 who out skated Jumbo defenders for another 1v1. Skating down the center of the ice, Turrin sent the puck to the top right corner to even the score at 1-1 five minutes into the second frame.

The Jeffs set the tempo for the third period early when Aaron Deutsch '15 lined a shot to net but the outstretched leg of Jenkins protected the score. The puck deflected off his pads but no Jeff was in sight to capitalize on the rebound.

With less than 11 minutes remaining in regulation, the Jumbos had a great opportunity during a power play when Mike Learly '17 fired a slapshot towards Russell. However, the senior goalie made a glove save to keep the score tied at 1-1.

The Jeffs held a man advantage during the closing seconds of the final frame but came away scoreless. Despite several great looks at net, Amherst narrowly missed on their chances as they prepared for their second overtime in as many days.

The overtime period was much like the third as the Jeffs continued to apply pressure offensively. Amherst outshot the Jumbos 5-1 but Jenkins held strong between the posts. The Jumbo goalie made 36 saves for Tufts while Russell recorded 15 stops for the Jeffs. Amherst held a 37-16 edge in shots due to their impressive play during the final two periods.

The Jeffs close out the regular season on the road next weekend beginning with a 7 p.m. contest at Middlebury on Saturday, Feb. 22.