Exeter Invitational: Phillips Exeter, Kimball Union Academy win twice

Exeter captain Garrett Foster celebrates his team's goal. (Dave Arnold/NEHJ)

EXETER, N.H. — The annual Exeter Invitational brought eight NEPSAC teams together for a showcase in front of fans, college coaches, and NHL and junior scouts.

The host, Phillips Exeter, and Kimball Union Academy both finished with two wins while the other six teams weren’t so lucky. Kent, Gunnery, and Hebron went 1-1 while Brunswick and New Hampton were 0-1-1. Vermont Academy left with two losses.

None of the results were particularly surprising given that KUA, the two-time defending NEPSAC Elite 8 champions, and Exeter are two of the best teams on paper in prep school hockey.

The most entertaining game of the eight was Saturday’s between Brunswick and New Hampton. The Huskies took a 6-2 lead into the third period, but the Bruins came roaring back with four unanswered. ’01 defenseman Cooper Moore finished the game with five goals, three of which came in that third period comeback. He came close to a sixth goal, ringing the post about midway through the scoreless overtime.