Sports
St. Louis Park Bantams Advance to State
The Orioles knocked off a number of talented opponents last week to get out of the west region.
The St. Louis Park Bantam A boys hockey team beat Wayzata (4-2), Edina (6-0) and Bloomington Jefferson (6-3) in west region games last week. Those wins earned the team of 13- and 14-year-olds a spot in the eight-team state tournament in Virginia, Minn., which starts next Friday.
“The accomplishment is a testament to the work ethic and skill level of the team members,” coach Justin Magnuson said.
The other seven teams advancing to state are Elk River, Eden Prairie, Woodbury, Blaine, East Grand Forks, Rochester and Brainerd. St. Louis Park is scheduled to face-off against Elk River at 2 p.m. on March 18, with the winner advancing to the semifinals on March 19. The championship game is March 20. Tournament games will be streamed by the Minnesota Sports Broadcast Network.
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When asked what is different about this team versus others he has coached in years past, Magnuson said "confidence."
"This group believes they can skate with anyone and they continue to prove it with wins over top programs they have never beat in the past," he said.
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Magnuson also said that while the team has certainly excelled lately, the best still could be yet to come.
"We have played some great hockey lately, but the coaches and I know that we can be better," he said. "Playing a tough schedule the past one-and-a-half months has definitely exposed some areas where we need to tighten up."
Team members include forwards Zack Hale, Jack Jablonski, Chris Grassel, Peter Heimbold, Josh Passolt, Curt Greenbush, Owen Larson, Jake Lukasavage and Nathan Hanks. The defense features Jack Glover, Ryan Collins, Noah Fortmeyer, Matt Mogensen and Nick Heid. Team goaltenders are Eric Speicher and Henry Johnson.
Team assistant coaches are Jay Phillips and Marc Hawkins. The coaching trio of Phillips, Hawkins and Magnuson has been together for four years developing players for St. Louis Park Peewee and Bantam A teams.
“Several of our players will be invited to the Minnesota/Reebok Hockey U15 and U16 advanced tryouts this spring and represent the St. Louis Park youth hockey association very well” Magnuson said.
Off the ice the team is supported by manager/scheduler Amy Hale, pregame parent coordinator Leslie Jablonski, game videographer Bill Heid and game photographer Caryn Glover.
-John Passolt is a St. Louis Park High School graduate and father of team member Josh Passolt. His brother is Fox9 news anchor Jeff Passolt.