Huskies adapted floor hockey state-bound
The Owatonna Huskies adapted floor hockey will compete at the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) state tournament at Bloomington Jefferson High School on Friday, March 18 after upsetting No. 3 White Bear Lake in the Section 1A championship game as a six-seed.
The section title brings Owatonna back to the state tournament for the first time in four years.
“There was a ton of excitement. When it was all said and done after the White Bear Lake game, the kids were so excited that now we get to go do this bigger, cooler thing than just a normal game. Personally, I was ecstatic,” said Owatonna head coach John Scheil.
The Huskies finished the regular season with a 2-5 overall record. However, the team strung together two section wins when it counted to make its run to the state tournament.
Owatonna will look to earn its second adapted floor hockey state title, after having won the tournament back in 2004.
However, according to Scheil, winning state is not the Huskies’ only objective at the tournament.
“I’m so happy that our five seniors get to experience the state tournament. Some of them have been there before, but others have not and it’s just so incredibly cool that they get to end their careers in such a big way.”
Senior leadership at the tournament will come from center Javelle Higgs, forwards Ryan Gander and Jessica Parson, and defensemen Kerryn Keller and Chloe Talley.
When asked about a game plan for the tournament, Scheil said that all he’s asked of his team is that they go out, compete hard and find ways to put shots on net.
“We have a couple of kids who can score really well. Above and beyond that, this has been the best year for us in terms of growth. We’ve developed greatly as a team over the course of the season.”
After eight years at the helm of the adapted floor hockey team, Scheil will look to take his athletes to the top of the Class A ranks and earn his first state title as Owatonna’s head coach.
Fans can watch the Huskies compete at the state tournament at Bloomington Jefferson High School on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
