PR hockey team clinches trip to HIT semifinals

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BUFFALO GROVE – Normally, Prairie Ridge’s hockey team would not be all that excited about a tie.

On Monday, the Wolves were thrilled to play Stevenson to a 1-1 draw in their High School Invitational Tournament game. A tie assured Prairie Ridge a spot in the HIT final four, a playoff at the end of the 12-team, season-long tournament.

Chris Van Damme scored an unassisted goal in the second period, and goalie Cory Simons had 18 saves as the Wolves (25-18-5) finished with an 8-2-1 record and 16 points in HIT games. That will put Prairie Ridge into the HIT semifinals Feb. 24 in Wilmette.

The Wolves delivered a huge victory Sunday night, 2-1 over Loyola Academy. Heading into Monday’s games, Prairie Ridge had 15 points, trailing only New Trier Green (16). Stevenson had 14 and Loyola and St. Rita, each with two remaining games, each had 12.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

IMSA 42, Alden-Hebron 40: At Hebron, Nora VanderPal scored 10 points to lead the Giants in a Northeastern Athletic Conference loss.

After falling behind in the first half, A-H switched to a man-to-man full court defense to try and slow down the Titans. The tactic worked but A-H could not overcome some sloppy turnovers on the offensive side.

“We just couldn’t get over the hump. That’s been a problem for us,” Giants coach Tim Hovanec said. “We don’t value every possession. We get in a hurry and make ill-advised passes.”

Amanda Appner and Hayli Lagerhausen each added eight points, and Madelyn Walters scored seven for A-H (6-15 overall, 2-4 NAC).

• Joe Stevenson and Rob Smith contributed to this report.