Fortis Prevails in Six-Round Shootout Thriller Over Performance Office Papers

The Dangle League returned to action Thursday evening at Braemar Arena with a pair of games, and the nightcap delivered an instant classic as Fortis outlasted Performance Office Papers 5-4 in a six-round shootout.

Performance Office Papers entered the contest coming off a 5-3 victory over Tradition Mortgage on opening night, while Fortis was making its season debut in the 2026 Dangle League season.

Performance Office Papers struck first midway through the opening half while working on the power play. Makenna Miller (Woodbury) carried the puck cleanly into the offensive zone before setting up Allie DeFauw (Holy Family Catholic) in the low slot. DeFauw wasted little time wiring a shot home at 18:05 to give POP the early 1-0 lead.

The goal appeared to spark Fortis.

Just over three minutes later, Fortis answered with a power play goal of its own. Excellent puck movement around the zone eventually found Norah Kratz (Farmington) at the top of the right circle. Kratz blasted a shot home after receiving a feed from Senna Hoffman (Lakeville South) and Maysie Koch (Dodge County) to tie the game at 1-1.

Fortis continued to press and took its first lead at 7:14. Brooklyn Mauch (Holy Family Catholic), one of last season's most productive offensive players and leading goal scorer, forced a turnover along the right-wing boards, split a pair of defenders and finished on the backhand for a highlight reel goal and a 2-1 advantage.

The momentum remained firmly with Fortis as the first half wound down. With 3:50 remaining, Sasha Cole (Duluth East) and Charlotte Heckendorf (Holy Family Catholic) combined to set up Mayme Scott (Rock Ridge) in the right circle. Scott ripped a shot past the POP netminder to extend the lead to 3-1 heading into intermission.

Performance Office Papers came out flying in the second half.

Known for their relentless compete level, POP quickly began to tilt the ice. Their persistence paid off at 28:12 when Audrey Nichols (Holy Family Catholic) forced a turnover high in the offensive zone and quickly transitioned the puck to Grace Gerebi (Holy Family Catholic). Gerebi worked her way into the goalmouth area and finished on the backhand to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The pace continued to build as both teams exchanged quality chances. POP found the equalizer at 4:30 when Nichols finished off a strong passing sequence from Jozie Kelzenberg (Centennial/Spring Lake Park) and Taylor Schreifels (Andover) to tie the game at 3-3.

Ella Olsen (Holy Family Catholic) found Senna Hoffman (Lakeville South), who buried the tying goal at 15:47 to take the 4-3 lead.  The goal capped a strong all-around performance from Hoffman, who contributed offensively while playing a key role throughout the game, earning her player of the game honors from the MNHockey.Tv broadcast crew. 

Alaina Post (Park) and Schreifels helped create the opportunity, and Miller capitalized to give POP its first lead since the opening goal, making it 4-4 late in the game with 4:30 remaining in regulation. 

The remainder of regulation featured end-to-end action with both teams generating opportunities to win it. Performance Office Papers finished with a 28-23 advantage in shots on goal, but neither side could solve the opposing goaltender as the game headed to a shootout.

The shootout matched the intensity of regulation.

Both teams converted four times through the opening six rounds. Bonnie Zhao, Penny Gorman, Senna Hoffman and Brooklyn Mauch scored for Fortis, while Grace Gerebi, Audrey Nichols, Jozie Kelzenberg and Mia Sutch answered for Performance Office Papers.

Fortis eventually emerged victorious thanks to several key saves from Alyssa Polaski, who stopped four of six POP attempts in the shootout. Beth Bigalke was equally impressive, extending the shootout with several clutch saves of her own before Fortis finally secured the deciding goal.

When it was over, Fortis had earned a thrilling 5-4 shootout victory in its season debut.

Makenna Miller led Performance Office Papers with a goal and an assist, while Taylor Schreifels contributed three assists. For Fortis, Senna Hoffman recorded a goal and an assist, and Brooklyn Mauch once again showcased the offensive instincts that made her one of the league's most dangerous players a season ago.

It was the type of game that has become a hallmark of the Dangle League. The pace was high, the compete level never wavered and the outcome remained in doubt until the final shot. For the players and fans at Braemar Arena, it was an early season reminder of why summer hockey continues to thrive.