Fortis Sets the Tone Early, Holds Off Tradition Mortgage in 5-3 Dangle League Victory

The Dangle League returned to Braemar Arena Tuesday night following the Fourth of July break with its trademark parity once again on full display. Four league games highlighted the evening, split between the Celly League and Dangle League, while the Wave made one of its summer appearance between Celly League contests.

The Wave, featuring players from the Class of 2030, continues to provide a glimpse into Minnesota hockey's future. Coached by college coaches, the league is made up of many players who have already earned varsity roles or are preparing to battle for roster spots this winter. If last summer was any indication, the skill level once again promised to be exceptional and it was. 

Opening the Dangle League slate was a matchup between fifth place Tradition Mortgage (1-2) and third place Fortis (2-1). With three points awarded for a regulation victory and league leader MNHockeyTv sitting atop the standings with six points, just three points separated first from last entering the night.

Fortis entered with momentum after a convincing 5-0 win over Twin Cities Orthopedics before the holiday break, while Tradition looked to bounce back following a 4-2 loss to MNHockeyTv.

Fortis wasted little time picking up where it left off. Charlotte Heckendorf opened the scoring less than two minutes into the game, finishing a setup from Angie Cody to give Fortis an early 1-0 advantage. Just under three minutes later, Jillian Borgmeier doubled the lead after converting a feed from Maleah Giesen and Ella Olsen before Olsen found the scoresheet herself midway through the half, burying a pass from Giesen and Taylor Risch to stretch the advantage to 3-0.

Tradition Mortgage could have folded. Instead, they answered. Libby Moe put Tradition on the board at the 16:32 mark with a terrifice individual effort up the left wing wall before Brooke Ueland trimmed the deficit to a single goal with just over ten minutes remaining in the half. Just when Tradition had seized the momentum, Fortis responded with what proved to be the game's biggest goal.

Heckendorf struck for her second of the evening with 7:07 remaining, finishing a play from Borgmeier to restore the two goal cushion at 4-2.

With under three minutes remaining before halftime, Moe buried her second goal of the night off a strong passing sequence from Reese Peroutka and Allegra Kuhn, sending the teams into the break with Fortis clinging to a 4-3 lead.

The second half settled into the defensive battle everyone expected between two evenly matched clubs.

Tradition generated quality chances throughout the final thirty minutes and finished with a 32-27 advantage in shots, but Fortis received another strong team effort between the pipes from Ilamay Draheim and Alyssa Polaski. The tandem combined to stop 29 of 32 shots while Fortis defended well in front of them during several sustained Tradition possessions.

Fortis found valuable breathing room five minutes into the second half when Brooklyn Mauch finished a Bonnie Zhao setup with a nifty waist high re-direct to extend the lead back to two goals at 5-3.

From there, Fortis managed the game well, limiting second opportunities, winning key puck battles and successfully protecting the lead through the closing minutes despite steady pressure from Tradition Mortgage.

Heckendorf paced the Fortis offense with a pair of goals while Borgmeier, Olsen and Mauch each added one. Giesen quietly orchestrated much of the attack with two assists, while Zhao, Cody, Olsen, Risch and Borgmeier each recorded helpers.

For Tradition Mortgage, Libby Moe continued her outstanding summer with two goals while Brooke Ueland added the other marker. Reese Peroutka and Allegra Kuhn each contributed assists in the comeback effort.

The victory moves Fortis to 3-1 on the season and keeps them squarely in the thick of one of the summer's most competitive races. Tradition Mortgage falls to 1-3, but with the Dangle League standings remaining incredibly compact, every game continues to carry playoff-like importance as the schedule pushes deeper into July.