Top Seeds Fall in Dangle Playoffs

Edina, MN - The Dangle League playoffs hit the ground running Wednesday night from Braemar Arena in Edina, MN.  The top two seeds were stopped by the bottom two seeds as Hepp’s Salt lost 4-2 to Tradition Mortgage and Empowers Performance fell short to Performance Office Papers 4-3 in semi-final round action. 

Tradition Mortgage 4  Hepp’s Salt Co. 2

The regular season champion Hepp’s Salt faced Tradition Mortgage in the first semi-final round game with a trip to the Dangle Cup Final on the line.  Chole King (Northern Tier) had a goal and an assist with Bella Finnegan (Minnetonka) assisting on two goals. 

Goalie Reese McConnell (Edina) was clutch in goal stopping 25 of 27 saves. The game was physical and every inch of ice was contested like a playoff hockey game would provide.    

Hepp’s swept the regular season match-ups 3-2 and 6-2 and finished first in the standings with a 5-1 record.  It didn’t matter to Tradition who according to coach Taylor Otremba (MSU) showed a lot in their start and saw it through to the finish.  

“The girls came out today and they were ready,” Otremba said.  “They had good energy and I think they were pretty determined to prove to the league that they can’t sleep on them.”  Otremba and coach Emma Hoen (Lindenwood) guided their team to a 1-3-1 record on the season and proved the depth of the Dangle League was legitimate in their win. 

Otremba, who’s grandfather is legendary coach Dean Blais added that a league of this stature is important and although it is summer league, the players brought the competitive level to a high level. “When we are younger, it is like, oh it’s summer league but I think now they are getting to the age where they realize it is important and there is great competition out here.  I think that builds up and people want to prove to themselves and to others that they can compete at a high level and it really builds up the league.” 

There was some controversy in the game as Hepp's thought they tied the game at 3 with about 4 minutes left as the net was knocked off its posts. It was a timing play that the official said was not a good goal.  An empty net goal by King sealed the game for Tradition and their berth to the championship game. 

Mikayla Moran (Apple Valley) and Brooke Gnetz (Woodbury) scored for Hepp’s.  Tradition plays the winner of Performance Office Papers and Empowers Performance on Thursday night from Braemar Arena.  Hepp’s will face the loser of that game in the third place game. 

Performance Office Papers 4  - Empowers Performance 3

It was another riveting playoff game from the Dangle League with third seeded Performance Office Papers stopping Empowers Performance 4-3. Kendall Hassler (BSM) had a goal and an assist and generated chances throughout the game with her speed.  Lauren Mack (Minnetonka) assisted on two goals to help lead her time to the win.  

Empowers Performance (3-3-1) found themselves down 1-0 after Gracyn Knowles (Blaine) scored on a long shot from the right side to beat goalie Zoe Rimstad (AHA).  Empowers pushed back, tied the game, and took the lead at 2-1 on goals by Josie Skoogman (Hill-Murray) and Senja Leeper (Minnetonka).  

Performance fought back though and scored three in a row to take the 4-2 lead with less than 10 minutes left in the game.  Goals by Hassler, a tremendous redirect by Macy Rasmussen (Orono) off a Lizzy Callahan (Southwest Christian/Mound Westonka) blast and then another laser delivered by Kasey Senden (Hill-Murray) on the power play.  

Goalie Kayla Swartout (Holy Family) was stout in goal with 17 saves in her second half appearance to pick up the win in goal.  Her partner Kaydence Roeske (River Lakes) was equally strong in goal, turning aside 16 of 18 shots in the first half.  

Performance Office Papers (4-3) will battle Tradition Mortgage 2-3-2 for the Dangle Cup Thursday night at 7:25pm from Braemar Arena.  Empowers Performance will face Hepp’s Salt Co. in the third place game at 6pm from Braemar Arena.  

The all-star game of Dangle League players is slated for Monday night at 7pm as they will face a Celly League team.