Wildcats Top Exeter in Exciting Contest

Kimball Union 2, Exeter 1 In a battle of two of the top prep school hockey teams in New England, the Kimball Union won an intense game over Exeter on Wednesday by a score of 2-1 on home ice in Meriden. The game was tight from the opening faceoff with both teams earning plenty of quality scoring chances. KUA struck first when the senior trio of Bobby Young, Roope Hirvonen, and Mike Lombardi worked the puck low in the Exeter zone before Lombardi found Hirvonen in the slot for a quality chance. The Exeter goaltender made the save, but Young went to the net and cashed in on the rebound. The Wildcats carried the 1-0 lead into the second and a strong individual effort and beautiful finish by sophomore Arlo Merritt gave KUA a 2-0 lead. Exeter fought back with a goal of its own and the teams headed into the third with the score 2-1. The KUA defense played hard and junior goalie Sean Dynan was outstanding all game as he thwarted shot after shot in the third period especially, including many quality chances on a late Exeter powerplay to give to Wildcats the victory.