Prairie Ridge High School’s varsity hockey team traveled to Jamestown, N.Y., Dec. 3-6 to compete in the National Invitational Scholastic Showcase.

The event featured the top hockey programs from across the United States under one format competing for the Governor’s Cup.

The event played host to state championship schools from Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

The invitational was open to state champions, finalists, semifinalists and exempt champions and featured schools with a combined 46 state championships including 10-time Maryland state champion DeMartha Catholic and nine-time Illinois and 2009 state champion New Trier Green. Indiana sent 2009 5A state champion Hamilton Southeastern and Florida sent 2009 state champ North Broward Prep.

Illinois was represented by Prairie Ridge, Glenbrook North, Fenwick, New Trier Green and Providence Catholic.

Prairie Ridge’s first game was against 2009 Pennslyvania quarterfinalist Mt. Lebanon.

The Wolves won 4-0.

The second game was aganist Providence Catholic. The Wolves won the game in a sudden-death shootout on a Mike Kurick goal.

The third game was against Indiana’s Culver Military Academy, who were the 5A state champs in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Culver was the runner-up in 2009.

Going into the game both the Wolves and Culver were 2-0, and the winner would advance to the semifinals.

The Wolves took control from the beginning and won the game 3-1.

Prairie Ridge advanced to the semifinals for the first time in school history.

In the semifinals, the Wolves faced the New Trier Green.

The Wolves played a hard fought battle and were elimated by a score of 5-1.

Prairie Ridge’s Alexander Taulien led the wolves in scoring and points throught the tournament. He was named to the Governor’s Dozen. The Governor’s Dozen is selected by the tournament director and consists of the 12 most valuable players of the tournament.

I was very proud of my players to go into a national event with the best teams and preform the way they did. They played with alot of energy and heart throughout the weekend.

Submitted by Rick Rewiako, Prairie Ridge High School Hockey Club