Hepp's Puts it all together in 4-1 win

Edina, MN - A pair of unbeaten teams squared off at Braemar Arena in Dangle League action Thursday night. Hepp’s Salt defeated Empowers Performance by a score of 4-1 to take sole possession of first place early in the Dangle League season.  Led by elite goaltending and a strong two-way game, Hepp’s put it all together with  strong five-on-five play, a short handed goal and a power play goal to deliver the well-rounded win. 

Claire Hills (Andover) was peppered for 11 shots in the games first 9:37 for Empowers but fought them off impressively.  It wasn’t until shot number 12 that Hepp’s Salt solved Hills on a goal by Fiona Gallagher (Maple Grove).  Taryn Richter (Holy Family) set the goal up with a strong stick on the right wing boards.  Ella Bond (Blake) started it all high at the right blueline with a forced turnover keeping the zone.  

After being outshot 14-1 to start the game, Empowers went to work and started finding their rhythm.  Aided by a power play, Empowers wound up reeling off 7 straight shots and had a glorious opportunity around the crease area blown up by goalie Janie McGawn (Blake) who kept the lead at 1-0.  

McGawn has opened the season with a perfect start, two appearances and 31 saves.  The incoming junior looks next to impossible to beat with a quiet yet athletic approach to her game.  She did not yield many rebounds in her 30 minutes of play in making 15 saves.  

With Empowers on the power play for the third time Brooklyn Mauch (Marshall) took a feed at center ice from Jemma McAlexander (Minnetonka) and split the defense.  Mauch, who had 48 goals for the Marshall Tigers this past season, knew what to do with it after she split the defense and accelerated in on goalie Vivienne Anderson (Orono) to tuck the puck in for the 2-0 lead.  

Audrey Davis (Edina) scored her 2nd goal for the season and first of the game from Laini Gnetz (Woodbury) and Hadley Bakker (Maple Grove) with 20 minutes showing on the second half clock.  Kaia Weiland (Centennial/Spring Lake Park) was equally effective in goal for Hepp’s Salt making 5 second half saves.  Her resume is almost as impressive as McGawn’s as Weiland has opened the season with 24 saves on 26 shots in her two games.  

Davis buried her second goal of the night right off the goalmouth area for the comfortable 4-0 lead with about 13 minutes left in the half.  Bakker was behind the net and found the oncoming Davis who blasted it home.  Alexa Schumm (North Wright County) originated the set up by going low behind the net to find Bakker showing the quality hockey IQ.   

Empowers solved Wieland with 4 minutes left in the game on a goal by Delaney Miller (Minnetonka).  Assists were dished out by Sydney Boss Krohn (SSM) and Grace Laager (Centennial Spring Lake Park). 

Both teams take a week off for the Fourth of July week and will be back at it the week of July 7th in Dangle League action from Braemar Arena.