The combined Prospect, Rolling Meadows, Elk Grove and Palatine (PREP) Varsity High School hockey club had never entered an out of State tournament. With players having taken such trips with their youth teams, the Seniors especially considered this a last chance bonding experience.

When the schedule arrived for the Mid Winter Classic, held at The Sphere in Cincinnati, OH over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, PREP found they were the only High School team entered along with 6 Double A Midget travel clubs. With low expectations, they decided to just have fun.

In the first round they met the Pittsburgh, PA Amateur Penguins. After giving up the first goal, PREP retaliated scoring the next 5 to record a 5-1 win.

In round two PREP squared off against the Junior Ice Bears from Knoxville, TN. Again allowing the first goal, PREP scored 5 of the next 6 to close out the contest 5-2.

Falling behind 3-0 after 1 period in the third round against the Huntsville, AL Chargers, PREP charged back, knotting the game at 4 with 6 minutes to play, then scoring the winner late to finish the 5-4 come from behind victory.

Even with 3 exhilarating wins, the highlight was a round 4 battle with the Huskies, an Illinois club from the Central States Development League. After 4 ties, PREP scored the decider with 2 minutes remaining for their biggest win of the season, 5-4.

Unfortunately, the magic ended there. Their Championship Game opponent, the Dallas, TX Penquins, was also undefeated and highly skilled. Overmatched, PREP fell 5-0. But, with their surprising run, they happily left Cincinnati with the 2nd place banner.

PREP tournament scoring was led by Tyler Popp (EG-3G,6A) and Vinny Carbone (RM–8G,1A), followed closely by Jake Wachlin (RM–6G,2A).