Trash Panda Outlasts Performance Office Papers in Shootout Thriller at Braemar

Edina, MN – July 29, 2025

The Dangle League returned to action Tuesday night with a single game showcase between Trash Panda and Performance Office Papers at Braemar Arena. What unfolded was a tightly contested, detail-driven battle that needed a shootout to decide the victor. In the end, Trash Panda emerged with a 2-1 win, improving to 3-2 on the season and keeping pace in the league standings.

Entering play tied for second with Tradition Mortgage, Trash Panda was looking to separate from the pack. Performance Office Papers, tied for fourth at 1-2, hoped to climb into the playoff mix and pulled out one of their most structured performances of the season.

The first half featured disciplined neutral zone play and lockdown defense, with both teams trading limited quality scoring chances. The game remained scoreless for nearly 23 minutes until Trash Panda’s Gwynn Skoogman (Hill-Murray) broke through off a scramble in front, finishing a rebound set up by Julia Gerdes (Andover) for a 1-0 lead.

Performance Office Papers responded swiftly. With 20 minutes remaining in the first half, Elliana Englehardt (Hill-Murray) capitalized on a breakout pass from Claire Jelinek (Minnetonka) and went end-to-end, finishing a smooth breakaway to knot the score at 1-1. The goal was the first surrendered by Trash Panda’s netminder after 17 consecutive saves to start the night.

The game remained tied through regulation, despite strong goaltending on both ends. Trash Panda’s tandem of Finley Engfer (Apple Valley) and Kayla Swartout (Hill-Murray) combined for 28 saves, with Swartout taking over for the second half and overtime. She was especially clutch down the stretch, turning aside all 13 shots she faced in the second half and denying all three attempts in the shootout.

On the other side, Gianna Marchese (Rosemount) stood tall for Performance Office Papers, stopping 22 of 23 shots in regulation and overtime, including several high-danger chances in the final minutes.

The game moved to a shootout, where the goaltenders continued their duel. After three scoreless rounds for Trash Panda, it was Alaina Post (Cottage Grove) who delivered the difference-maker in the second round for Performance Office Papers. Her tally stood as the shootout winner in a 2-1 final.

With the win, Performance Office Papers climbs to 2-2 and solidifies their standing in 4th place of the Dangle League table.  Trash Panda is 2-2-1 and are in sole possession of second place of the Dangle League. 

3 Stars of the Game

1. Kayla Swartout (Trash Panda) – Perfect in the second half and shootout (13 saves + 3 SO stops).

2. Gianna Marchese (Performance Office Papers) – Kept her team in it with 22 saves on 23 shots.

3. Elliana Englehart (Performance Office Papers) – Scored the game-tying goal with a highlight-reel breakaway finish.