Exeter boys varsity hockey opened the season — and a new era — with an emphatic win over North Yarmouth Academy on Wednesday night, giving head coach Sean O'Brien his first victory in his debut behind the Big Red bench.

The opening period ended in a blur, with the two teams combining for six goals in the final 6:42. Thomas Wilson ignited the flurry with the game's opening goal before Eric Bagg, Noah Poinsett-Yoshida, and Brendan McCarthy each found the back of the net before the end of the period as Big Red seized control, taking a 4–2 lead into the first intermission.

Big Red kept rolling from there, adding three goals in both the second and third periods to put the game comfortably out of reach.

Can Fiasconaro paced the attack with a hat trick, while three other skaters posted three-point performances: McCarthy (2 goals, 1 assist), Joe Sasso (1 goal, 2 assists), and Wilson (1 goal, 2 assists). Ned Akashian also found the back of the net for the hosts.

Between the pipes, Lucas Mesika was steady and composed, stopping 15 of 17 shots to backstop Exeter to the victory. Big Red will return to their home ice on Wednesday, November 19 when they play host to Stanstead for a 5:15pm puck drop.