Andover, MA -Perhaps the biggest rivalry game in New England Prep is always intense and physical. Saturday was no different, with both teams taking the body and laying some punishing hits early to set the tone for the day. Philips Andover got on the board with 13:28 left of the first period when Drew Smith took the puck through traffic, split the defensemen, and buried a shot top shelf. Exeter controlled the play but could not capitalize on their offensive opportunities in the first frame. Philips Exeter goalie Brady Quackebush kept it a one-goal game when he made a breakaway save with 2:33 left in the period. Shots on net Exeter 14, Andover 6 in the first period.
The second period was fast and furious. Exeter got a powerplay with 12:06 left in the period, and after a Ryan O’Leary had a grade A chance, but Andover goalie Ben Skowronek stopped him. Andover would capitalize short-handed when a hard forecheck by Peyton Militello caused a turnover, and he fed Grayden Robertson-Palmer to make it 2-0 Big Blue. Both teams had numerous powerplay opportunities in the second period. Still, Exeter was unable to capitalize, while Andover scored at the 8:20 mark on the man advantage when Chas Sabre, sent a pass to Zachary Skowronek, who blasted a one-time bomb to the back of the net to make it 3-0 Andover. Ben Skowronek made a terrific save on the doorstep with 2:53 left in the period to keep the shutout intact. The period ended with a 3-0 Andover lead.
Exeter started the third period on the powerplay but could not convert. Andover also had a powerplay early in the third, but they could not add to the lead. Andover would capitalize with 1:13 left in the game to cap the scoring when Alex Theodore took a pass from Sam Myles, who walked down the slot and fired one into the goal to give Andover a 4-0 lead. Smith also added an assist. That was the final score. Final shots Exeter 34 Andover 25
Three Stars
First: Ben Skowronek G (Andover)
Second: Sam Myles F (Andover)
Third: Drew Smith D (Andover)
