KUA Captures Piatelli/Simmons Small School New England Championship

The Kimball Union Boys Varsity Hockey team outdueled Dexter School 3-2 in double overtime to clinch the Piatelli/Simmons Small School New England Championship in Salem, NH. In front of a packed house at the Salem Ice Center, KUA got on the board first when PG Dan Cornell ripped a snap shot from the point on the power play that found the top corner, sophomore Thomas Flynn assisted on the play. With 10 seconds remaining in the first period Dexter would answer with a shot from the top of the circle that found the low stick side corner. After a scoreless second period the teams entered the third tied at one. Midway through the third sophomore Dennis Kravchenko put KUA up 2-1 when he broke in one on one and rifled a shot top corner past the Dexter goalie. A minute later Dexter answered when a shot from the point hit a KUA player and deflected in. With the scored 2-2 at the end of regulation the teams took the ice for overtime. KUA played a great overtime period as a team and created several chances to end the game, but the Dexter goalie Kevin Green came up big. With 30 seconds left in OT Kravchenko broke in alone off a great pass from junior Gabriel Veilleux and was hauled down. KUA took a power play opportunity into double overtime and cashed in when junior Peter LaFosse cranked a shot off a scrum that deflected right under the cross bar for the sudden death victory. The game was a fast paced contest that was entertaining for all involved. Senior Josh Dollinger, juniors Pat Doherty and Rafael Turcotte had great games on defense. The Wildcats ended the year 24-8-2, their second straight 20 win season.