AMHERST, Mass. - The Saint Michael's College men's ice hockey team lost to nationally-ranked Amherst College, 4-0, on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference contest at Orr Rink. With the loss the Purple Knights fall to 0-6 while the Lord Jeffs, who are ranked 10th in the latest U.S. College Hockey Online (USCHO) Division III national poll, improve to 5-0.

Junior Dave Donzanti (West Chester, Pa./Northfield Mount Hermon) stopped 25 shots for the Purple Knights, who were only outshot 29-24. Seniors Ryan Edwards (Rochester, N.Y./Milton Academy) and Andrew Kurlandski (Kirkwood, Mo./Kirkwood), and juniors Aaron Deutsch (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y./Milton Academy) and Daniel Merenich (Horsham, Pa./Milton Academy) each scored a goal for the Lord Jeffs. Senior Johnny Russell (Champlin, Minn./Breck School) had 24 saves.

Deutsch gave Amherst the lead at 4:49 of the first period during a power-play opportunity and then a minute later Kurlandski added another man-advantage goal. The Lord Jeffs added to their lead at 7:12 of the second period on a goal by Edwards. The Purple Knights had a power-play opportunity at 9:04 of the frame as juniors AJ Pieprzak (Barrie, Ontario/Ridley College) and John Teulings (Hamden, Conn./Choate Rosemary Hall) both took shots on net but were denied by Russell. Merenich added another goal to his team's lead with 7:49 remaining in the period. The Purple Knights had four shots in the final 6:34 of regulation while trying to get on the scoreboard, but Russell saved each.

The Purple Knights return to action on Dec. 6 as they host in-state rival Castleton State College at 7 p.m.