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Robins win third straight PI adapted floor hockey title with undefeated season

After a perfect regular season, Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka finish with its sixth shutout.

For the Minnesota Star Tribune

March 17, 2013 at 5:52AM

Tyler Sarff celebrated Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka’s third adapted floor hockey state championship in a row Saturday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

It was a nerve-wracking way for Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka to start Saturday's PI Division adapted floor hockey title game at Bloomington Jefferson.

Dakota United and its high-powered offense flung shot after shot at Robins goaltender Charlie Wittmer, and it looked like the two-time defending state champs might be in for a long day.

"It wasn't looking great," Wittmer said. "You're worried that if the first one goes in, then they're going to keep going in."

But Wittmer stopped 11 shots in the game's first nine minutes, before junior Tyler Sarff scored back-to-back goals in a 10-second span to give the Robins a lead they'd never relinquish.

Swarming defense and timely scoring eventually added up to 5-0 win and a third-consecutive title for Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Mound Westonka.

"It's a great way to finish, and to go against a team like Dakota United, with the offense they have, and put up a zero on the board is pretty great to see," Robins head coach Marcus Onsum said.

Wittmer finished the night with 29 saves for the shutout, the team's sixth of the season.

"I see it every day in practice, and I tell people, 'Good luck scoring on Charlie,' " Onsum said. "We have a really good team, but we wouldn't be here if it weren't for him. He's a great goalie."

Sarff finished the game with three goals, and fellow junior Joe Dubisar had the other two talleys for the Robins, who finished the season with a perfect 16-0 record.

North Suburban nabs its first CI title

North Suburban capped a wild third period with a 5-2 run, storming back from two goals down to defeat Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville 7-6 for its first-ever CI Division adapted floor hockey state title at Bloomington Jefferson.

"It was just a lot of hoping and praying and wishing," said North Suburban head coach Deb Kline of her team's third-period comeback. "I'm so proud of the way they kept working hard."

Eighth-grader Anthony Bengston led the team with five points, including two crucial goals late in the game.

Junior Cody Jacobson had two goals and an assist, and Tyler Engel had three goals, including what turned out to be the game-winner with 5:36 remaining.

Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville looked to be in control when it scored early in the third on junior Steve Friday's third goal of the game to grab a 4-2 lead.

Then North Suburban came roaring back.

"This is very exciting for us — a first [state championship]," Kline said. "We just couldn't be happier."

To go along with Friday's hat trick, senior Brendan Wong scored twice for Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville. Sophomore Michale Burns also scored.

Robbinsdale's Tyler Sarff celebrated after winning the PI adapted floor hockey state championship (Dml - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)