Balanced Attack Keeps MNHockeyTv in the Hunt with 9-4 Victory Over Tradition Mortgage

The Dangle League scoring race tightened even further Tuesday night as MNHockeyTv skated past Tradition Mortgage 9-4, pulling within two points of league-leading Fortis while still holding a game in hand. With several teams separated by only a game in the standings, every point continues to carry added significance heading into the second half of the summer season.

MNHockeyTv wasted little time taking control. Just 1:50 into the opening half, Laina Peterson finished a rush created by Jenna Borgmeier and Grace Campbell to give MNHockeyTv a 1-0 lead with 28:10 remaining.

Tradition Mortgage answered one minute later when Kennedy Hochbaum buried her second goal of the season off passes from Alexa Schumm and Libby Moe, evening the game at 1-1.

The tie was short-lived and Peterson struck again just 45 seconds later, this time finishing a setup from Geni Nelson, restoring the one-goal advantage before MNHockeyTv slowly began to build separation. Maddie Baker scored with five minutes left in the half before Kira Prange extended the lead to 4-1 at the 3:05 mark.

Tradition Mortgage responded late in the period as Bonnie Zhao converted with 2:44 remaining, trimming the deficit to 4-2 and giving her club a bit of momentum.

Then, that momentum lasted just over two minutes. With only 23 seconds left before intermission, Grace Campbell buried what proved to be one of the biggest goals of the night, sending MNHockeyTv into the break with a 5-2 advantage.

Tradition Mortgage made another push early in the second half with Kennedy Hochbaum netted her second goal of the evening with 21:10 remaining, but once again MNHockeyTv answered almost immediately as Maddie Baker restored the three-goal lead just two minutes later.

After Tatum Elvin pulled Tradition Mortgage back within 6-4 with 11:10 left, MNHockeyTv closed the door for good.

Emerson Rock scored with 9:50 remaining, Avery Wagner added another less than two minutes later, and Nora Ptak capped the evening with 1:07 left to complete the 9-4 victory.

The balanced offensive attack was again the story for MNHockeyTv. Peterson finished with two goals and two assists, Baker added two goals and an assist, Campbell recorded a goal and two assists, while Prange, Rock, Wagner and Ptak all found the scoresheet. Geni Nelson quietly contributed a pair of assists as MNHockeyTv generated offense throughout the lineup.

Tradition Mortgage was led by Hochbaum's two-goal performance, while Reese Peroutka continued her strong summer with four assists. Zhao and Elvin added the remaining goals.

Although the final score was lopsided, the shots were much closer, with MNHockeyTv holding only a 30-26 advantage. The difference came in timely finishing, particularly the late first-half goal by Campbell and the immediate responses every time Tradition Mortgage threatened to climb back into the game.

With the win, MNHockeyTv improved to 3-1-0, pulling within two points of Fortis while still owning a game in hand. As the Dangle League reaches its midpoint, the race for first place is shaping up to be one of the closest of the summer.