Performance Office Papers Continues Offensive Surge, Blanks Twin Cities Orthopedics 6-0

Performance Office Papers continued its climb up the tightly packed Dangle League standings Tuesday night at Braemar Arena, delivering another impressive performance in a convincing 6-0 victory over Twin Cities Orthopedics.

The win moved Performance Office Papers to 2-2 on the season and within a single point of league leader Fortis, who jumped idle MNHockeyTv earlier in the evening. More impressively, Performance has now established itself as the league's most explosive offensive team, leading the Dangle League with 19 goals through four games while showing the depth that makes them a difficult matchup every night.

Twin Cities Orthopedics entered the night looking to build off a strong start to the season at 2-2, but from the opening faceoff Performance dictated the pace, controlled possession and consistently forced TCO to defend.

It didn't take long for the pressure to pay dividends with just over three minutes into the opening half, Mia Sutch opened the scoring after taking a feed from Allie Defauw and Lauryn Murray, giving Performance an early 1-0 lead that would stand through the remainder of the first half. Her breakaway speed in finishing capability around the net is impressive and has been on display this summer. 

The second half quickly turned into an offensive showcase and only 12 minutes into the final thirty minutes, Performance erupted for five unanswered goals.

Allie Defauw doubled the lead at the 17:41 mark after Elliana Engelhardt and Taylin Engelhardt combined to set up the play before Makenna Miller finished a rush just over a minute later from Mia Sutch and Grace Gerebi to make it 3-0.

With Twin Cities Orthopedics trying to generate momentum, Performance continued to pour on the pressure.

Taylor Miller added another off a Brinley Gretz setup before Defauw struck for her second of the night, finishing a passing sequence from Audrey Nichols and Taylor Schreifels. Elliana Engelhardt capped the scoring in the closing seconds, converting a feed from Alaina Post and Gretz to complete the six-goal performance.

Performance finished with a commanding 41-23 advantage in shots, keeping Twin Cities Orthopedics pinned in its own zone for much of the evening.

The goaltending tandem of Gianna Marchese and Beth Bigalke split the shutout, combining to stop all 23 Twin Cities Orthopedics shots while the defensive group consistently limited second-chance opportunities around the net.

Defauw led the balanced attack with two goals and an assist, while Sutch contributed a goal and two assists. Brinley Gretz quietly fueled the offense with two assists, and Murray, Engelhardt, Gerebi, Nichols, Schreifels, Post, Taylin Engelhardt and Alaina Post all found the scoresheet as Performance once again showcased the depth that has become its trademark.

The victory gives Performance Office Papers plenty of momentum as the Dangle League race continues to tighten. With Fortis narrowly ahead and every team remaining within striking distance, the battle for the top of the standings continues to produce playoff-like hockey every time the teams take the ice.

I really like the direction this team is headed. Their depth is becoming obvious. On Tuesday they received goals from six different scoring combinations, generated 41 shots, posted a shared shutout and never allowed Twin Cities Orthopedics to establish sustained offensive rhythm. If they continue to defend this way while averaging nearly five goals per game, they'll be a legitimate contender the rest of the summer.