Hockey Beats Avon Lake in Overtime

Amherst earned a dramatic 4–3 overtime victory over Avon Lake last night at North Park Ice Arena, capping a back-and-forth matchup with a clutch finish in the extra period.

After a scoreless first period, the action picked up in the second. Amherst opened the scoring at 10:59 when Noah Cheatham converted off assists from Noah Riley and Deakin Kelley. Avon Lake answered at 5:33 on a goal from Kollin Nilson, but the Comets quickly regained the lead just 19 seconds later. Fisher Sims put Amherst back in front at 5:14, set up by Riley and Kylen Losiewicz.

Avon Lake rallied in the third period. Otto Mahnke tied the game at 6:15, and Brady Gibel gave the Shoremen a 3–2 advantage with a power-play goal at the 2:00 mark, assisted by Kooper Nilson and Kollin Nilson. Amherst refused to let the game slip away. With time winding down and skating shorthanded, Sims buried the equalizer with 56 seconds remaining to force overtime.

The Comets took advantage of an opportunity late in the extra frame. With just nine seconds left, Vinny Kelley delivered the game-winner, finishing a setup from Cheatham to secure the victory.

Amherst returns to the ice this Friday in the Adam Hamilton Tournament hosted by Kent Roosevelt, opening play against Mentor at 5:15 p.m. at the Kent State Ice Arena.