The Hamilton College men's hockey team opened its season Friday night, losing 3-1 at Amherst in a NESCAC game in Amherst, Mass.

The Continentals (0-1-0, 0-1 NESCAC) closed to within 2-1 early in the third period before the hosts, who are ranked fifth in this week's national coaches poll, added an insurance goal with 4:39 left in the third period.

Just 2:02 after Amherst had pushed its lead to 2-0, Hamilton got on the board on a power-play goal by Conor Lamberti '17. Lamberti took a pass from Brandon Willett '18 and laced a shot from just inside the blue line for the Continentals' first goal of the season.

Amherst sealed the win with a power-play goal of its own late in the period. David White, who opened the scoring 1:44 into the second, fired a shot that was saved by Hamilton goaltender Evan Buitenhuis '18; the rebound fell right to Thomas Lindstrom, who settled the puck and sent it into the net.

White's short-handed goal put the hosts on the board first with Lindstrom and Tyler Granara picking up assists. Lindstrom poked the puck away from a Hamilton forward near center ice then sent the puck ahead to White, who put the puck into the top right corner of the net.

The hosts doubled their lead early in the third, with Will Vosejpka scoring off a scramble in front of the net. Topher Flanagan and Stanley Brenner picked up assists on the play.

Buitenhuis finished with 31 saves and Dave Cunningham stopped 26 for Amherst.

The Continentals return to Clinton for their home opener Saturday; they host Franklin Pierce in a 7 p.m. non-league game.