The Hilliard club hockey team’s bid for a national title came up short. Competing in their first USA Hockey high school national championships, the Wildcats went 2-1 in pool play to finish ninth of 16 teams to close the season 40-14-6.
The top eight teams advanced to championship play in the event, which began March 24 and concludes March 28 at the Starcenter Community Ice Rink in Plano, Texas.Hilliard, which advanced to nationals by winning the Buckeye Cup state tournament March 6, opened with a 4-3 loss to Lincoln (Nebraska) on March 24.
Hayden Clingman (Hilliard Bradley), Brady Hall (Dublin Coffman) and Aiden Van Deusen (Hilliard Davidson) scored and goalie Mason Sines (Fairbanks) had 13 saves.
The Wildcats rebounded with a 4-3 overtime win against Salt Lake City on March 25 as Owen Ambrozy (Davidson) recorded a hat trick, including the game-winning goal. Hall added a goal and goalie Wes Reichman (Hilliard Darby) had 32 saves. Hilliard closed the tournament with a 4-0 win over Greenville (South Carolina) on March 26.—AP
