The Hamilton College men's hockey team started the 2016-17 season with a 1-1 tie against visiting Amherst College Friday night in a NESCAC game at Russell Sage Rink.

Brandon Willett '18 scored the tying goal just seconds into the third period and Evan Buitenhuis '18 made 33 saves to lead Hamilton.

The Continentals outshot the visitors 22-11 over the third period and overtime, but Amherst's Connor Girard finished with 35 saves, including five in overtime.

Willett's 14th career goal came 30 seconds into the third. After the Continentals won the period's opening face-off, Willett dumped the puck into the corner where an Amherst skater tried to wind a clearing pass up the boards. Neil Conway '18 picked off the puck and found Willett in front of the net for the goal.

Hamilton had 16 more shots on goal in the period, then five more in overtime. Amherst was able to kill off four Continental power plays – which took up over a third of the period – to preserve the tie. Girard made five saves with Amherst skating a man down and a Hamilton shot hit the crossbar with under three minutes left in regulation.

Buitenhuis turned away the only shot he faced in overtime, stopping Amherst's David White midway through. White's shot followed Girard's biggest save of the extra session: Hamilton's Rory Gagnon '19 received a pass from behind the Amherst net at the high slot but his point-blank shot was smothered by Girard.

Amherst needed just 2:09 to score the season's first goal. Patrick Daly's shot from the left face-off circle gave the visitors the early lead. Chris Roll and Greg Krisberg were credited with assists on the play.

Over their last 59 games, the Continentals have played 18 overtime contests. They've gone to overtime at least once against every NESCAC opponent in that span.

The Continentals continue their season-opening weekend series Saturday, hosting New England College in a 7 p.m. non-conference game.