Empowers Performance Edges Performance Office Papers in Tight Midseason Dangle League Clash

Braemar Arena – Edina, MN — With both teams sitting at 2-3 and battling to break into the upper tier of the Dangle League standings, Empowers Performance and Performance Office Papers squared off Thursday evening in what proved to be a grinding, evenly matched contest. Playing in the first of four games on the night, each side was looking to gain momentum at the season's midway point.

Empowers entered the night in fifth place, just ahead of Performance Office Papers in sixth by virtue of a previous 3-1 head-to-head win. Thursday’s rematch at Braemar Arena had plenty of intensity and pace to it. 

The opening half was a chess match, with few clean looks allowed and strong backchecking efforts on both ends. Claire Hills (Andover) of Empowers and Kayla Swartwout (Holy Family) of Performance Office Papers put on a goaltending clinic. Hills was flawless in the first half, while Swartwout made a standout save on Bryn Spreiter (Dodge County), calmly turning away a point-blank shot after Spreiter forced a turnover and walked in clean.

Empowers finally broke the deadlock at 2:04 of the first half, when Brynn Heising (BSM) buried a feed from Riley Iverson (Academy of Holy Angels) to give them a 1-0 edge. The teams stayed deadlocked for most of the second half until Empowers added to their lead at 6:08, as Delaney Miller (Minnetonka) cashed in with helpers from Chloe King (Holy Family) on a quick developing chance down low. 

Performance Office Papers pushed back, finally breaking through early in the second period at :53, with Brielle Newton (Mankato East) finishing off a play from Allie DeFauw (Holy Family) and Kayla Starr (Edina) to cut the deficit to 2-1. Despite heavy pressure in the closing minutes—including a power play—Performance couldn’t find the equalizer, thanks in part to the composure of Hills, who stopped 24 of 25 shots.

Empowers improves to 3-3, tightening their grip on a playoff spot as the second half of the season gets underway. Performance Office Papers drops to 2-4 and will look to rebound in their next outing.


Game Notes:

  • Claire Hills stopped 24 of 25 shots, including 14 in the second half.

  • Empowers narrowly outshot Performance Office Papers 27-25.

  • The teams combined for five minor penalties, but all goals came at even strength.

  • Empowers has now won both matchups this season between the two clubs.

Three Stars of the Game:

1.  Claire Hills (Empowers) – 24 saves, clutch down the stretch.

2. Delaney Miller (Empowers) – Game-winning goal early in second half.

3. Brielle Newton (Performance Office Papers) – Key goal to spark comeback attempt.

Both teams will be watching the standings closely as the playoff picture continues to take shape.