The defending Bergen County Hockey champs will have a chance to defend their title.

Tuesday night the SJR hockey team defeated Northern Highlands 5-3 in the Bergen County semifinals to punch their ticket back to the championship game.

SJR came out flying against the Highlanders scoring three first period goals. Christian Casazza struck first on a goal assisted by Arhip Akhmedov. Then just 2 minutes later the Green Knights found the net again as Kyle Kondratowicz assisted Jason Juneau for the 2nd goal of the game. Less than 2 minutes later the Green Knights completed their scoring barrage when Joseph Flanagan lit the lamp giving SJR a 3-0 lead.

With a 3-1 lead into the 3rd period, Edvards Laganovskis scored, padding the Green Knights lead to 4-1. Northern Highlands would cut the lead to 4-3 late in the 3rd until Kondratowicz scored an empty net goal as the Green Knights sealed the deal on a 5-3 victory.

Sophomore goalie Billy Boyhen stopped 10 shots in net as the Green Knights advanced to Thursday night's County Championship Game. SJR will take on Don Bosco Prep in a rematch of the 2025 County Final. Puck drops at 8:15 pm at the Ice Vault in Wayne.