Hockey Annihilates Andover: Smurfs Crushed 7-0 in Front of Packed Stands

Last Saturday, Exeter boys’ varsity hockey took on their biggest rival, Andover, and ended the game with an impressive 7-0 final score.

While Big Blue had been struggling this season, with this game bringing their record down to 6-7-1, Big Red had come into the game energized. The intense show marked Exeter’s 15th win of the season, bringing their record up to 15-2-1.

Both teams were fired up from the beginning; a shot at the net broke a glass panel during warm-ups. As the crowd urged the teams on, the boys built up their physicality throughout all three periods.

Big Red dominated the first period by holding Andover’s players to their own side and taking almost all of the shots. Six minutes into the first period, after a few attempts from Exeter, upper Collin Shapiro finally scored the first goal against Andover.

“The crowd was impressive tonight. We love to see so many people come support us for big games, and it definitely raises the energy in the building"

Two minutes later, postgraduate Steven Upton fought past the aggressive Big Blue defensemen and scored Exeter’s second goal. As the period progressed, the energy intensified, the cheers of the crowd boomed around the rink, and the teams remained extremely physical yet were still able to avoid penalties.

In the last seconds of the first period, postgraduate Ryan Petti snuck in yet another goal for Exeter, making it 3-0. “As always, the energy of the crowd was a huge help to us,” senior Derrick Spencer said.

The intensity of the game never dwindled in the second half. In the first 15 seconds, senior Ben Solin juked past an Andover defender and scored Exeter’s fourth goal. The huge student crowd jumped to their feet and roared with enthusiasm. A minute later, Upton slid in his second goal for Exeter.

The younger line was up next, and all eyes were on prep Hunter McCoy as he etched in another point for Big Red. The fans exploded and chanted in unison, “He’s a freshman!” It was four minutes into the second period, and Exeter was up 6-0.

“The crowd was impressive tonight. We love to see so many people come support us for big games, and it definitely raises the energy in the building,” McCoy said.

In the third period, captain and senior Trevor Cosgrove sailed in the seventh and final goal for Big Red. Throughout the game, the deep rivalry fed the tension on the ice. However, the boys held back until the third period when two penalties were given to both teams.

A major key to the boys’ success throughout the season has been their resilient goalie, postgraduate Joe Lazzaro, who is affectionately known as “Lazz Daddy” by his teammates.

“Lazz was a big part of us extending the lead in the first and second periods,” captain and senior Peter Christie said.

The team faces Andover again during E/a in late February. The outcome of the game is still unpredictable, as Big Blue will be backed by key players who had been injured during the game this past Saturday.

“We were making the right passes and taking the right shots. When we get our chemistry going, we can’t be stopped,” senior Jordan Haney said. “We expect a much tougher game come February, as Andover will be out for payback. Not to mention the fact that they will have a crowd behind them.”

The boys’ next home game will be on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 4:30 p.m. against Kimball Union Academy.