Robbinsdale, Dakota United win adapted floor hockey state titles

The Robins made it five state titles in a row in the PI Division of adapted floor hockey. Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka (15-2) has 11 state titles overall and six out of the past seven state titles in the sport.

This last one came after a tight 4-3 win over Anoka-Hennepin (9-4) on Saturday afternoon at Bloomington Jefferson High School.

"These kids set such an expectation for themselves and for each other over the years," Robins' coach Marcus Onsum said. "I really believe success breeds more success, as long as you're willing to put in the hard work."

It was a close game throughout, with tie scores after the first two periods. The Robins broke through for a 4-2 lead in the third and fought off a late scramble from the Mustangs, who scored with 1 minute, 27 seconds left in the game to close within one goal. But the Robins held on.

"We're about as evenly matched with Anoka as you could possibly get," Onsum said.

"It was just going to come down to which team was going to minimize mistakes."

Robins senior Jeremy Jost scored a pair of goals as did Anoka-Hennepin sophomore Joey Manion. The result was a 2-2 tie headed into the third.

In the third, sophomore Andy Hanson put the Robins ahead, and sophomore Chaun Johnson scored the game-winner. Manion got his third goal for Mustangs.

Jost had the puck in the closing seconds and "just got rid of it" down the floor before time expired.

"I was thrilled," Jost said, referring to another state title.

Dakota United's coach Brett Kosidowski jumped around as much as his players did after the final buzzer. His Hawks had upset North Suburban 4-2 for the state title.

"This is huge," Kosidowski said. "Six years ago, we set out and said, 'Let's get one,' and we haven't been able to."

With a 3-2 lead the Hawks grabbed with 10 seconds left in the second, the coach told his players to "dig deep" for the final period.

"I said, 'Leave it all out there,' " Kosidowski said. "And they did."

Junior Blake St. Mane fueled the Hawks' win with a hat trick. He also scored eight goals in Dakota United's 9-3 semifinal win over Anoka-Hennepin earlier in the day.

In his second year on the team, it feels good to be a state champion, he said.

"It's fun to play," St. Mane said.