The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé hockey team is preparing for the playoffs after facing a challenging weekend against Houston High School. The Crimson Bears suffered consecutive defeats to Houston, the top seed, with scores of 5-3 on Friday and 8-0 on Saturday, concluding the regular season.
As the fourth seed in the Division II Hockey State Championships, JDHS is scheduled to compete against Kenai Central High School at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. The victor of this match will advance to face the winner of the Houston vs. Tri-Valley matchup in the semifinals.
Coach Matt Boline has acknowledged the formidable competition, highlighting Houston’s talented roster, which includes several players from Team Alaska’s triple-A team. Despite their dominant performances during the regular season, the Crimson Bears faced a tough weekend, falling behind early in Friday’s game and struggling to keep up with Houston on Saturday.
Boline has stressed the importance of his team remaining cautious and prepared for the upcoming games, recognizing the talent of their upcoming opponents. He has also commended the character of the team, highlighting the leadership and skills of the senior players. The team’s captains, seniors Camden Kovach, Caden Johns, and Mason Sooter, bring valuable experience and leadership as they head into the playoffs.
Looking ahead, the Crimson Bears aspire to replicate their success from last year’s tournament, where they reached the championship game. Boline has expressed confidence in the team’s ability, focusing on their character and camaraderie as they prepare for the playoffs.
For further information, please contact Mark Sabbatini at [email protected] or (907) 957-2306.