Hockey Wins 8-5 over Mentor

Hockey used a strong offensive effort and timely special teams play to secure an 8-5 home victory over Mentor on Tuesday night at North Park Ice Rink.

Senior Vinny Kelley led the way for the Comets, scoring four goals in the win. Kelley opened the scoring midway through the first period, finishing a play set up by Fisher Sims and Anthony Palumbo to give Amherst an early lead.

The second period proved to be the turning point, as Amherst and Mentor combined for six goals. Kelley added a shorthanded tally early in the period, followed by a goal from Sims off an assist from Grady Walsh to extend the Comets’ advantage. Mentor responded with three straight goals from Beckett Swinehart, Jake Mackey, and Aiden Gibson to briefly swing momentum. Amherst answered late in the period when Kylan Losiewicz found the net off a feed from Mason Lamoreaux, sending the Comets into the third period with renewed energy.

Amherst pulled away in the final period with goals from Sims and Lamoreaux to build separation on the scoreboard. Kelley completed his hat trick and then added a fourth goal late, including a shorthanded empty-netter in the closing seconds to seal the win. Mentor added two third-period goals from Jake Mackey, including a power-play score, but could not close the gap.

The Comets return to action on Friday, January 9, when they travel to Rocky River.