Lake Cowboy Survives MNHockeyTV in Shootout Thriller to Capture First-Ever Celly Cup Title

Braemar Arena – Edina, MN | July 31, 2025 — In a Celly Cup championship game that lived up to every bit of its billing, Lake Cowboy capped off a perfect 10-0 season with a dramatic 6-5 shootout victory over a relentless MNHockeyTV squad, claiming their first-ever league title and ending Pellicci Ace Hardware’s two-year reign as champions.

The game had all the energy and emotion of a Game 7, with both teams delivering peak performances in a rollercoaster of a final that saw speed, skill, structure, and spectacular goaltending on full display in front of a large crowd at Braemar Arena.

Lake Cowboy entered the title tilt unbeaten, boasting a league-best 53 goals for and a league-low 18 goals against. Their opponent, MNHockeyTV, was the only team to push them to the brink in the regular season, losing their second matchup 2-1 after suffering an 11-0 defeat earlier in the summer.

Five goals were scored in the fist half with the intensity immediate.  Both teams found the net in a fast-paced opening frame. Ellie Zakrajsheck (UMD) struck first for Lake Cowboy off a setup from Shae Messner (Dartmouth) and Maeve Kelly (BU), but MNHockeyTV answered quickly and often. Whitney Horton (UST), Grace Wolfe (SCSU), and Grace Delmonico (SCSU) each tallied for MNHockeyTV, helping their side take a 3-2 lead into the break despite a late Lake Cowboy goal from Josie Hemp (UM). MNHockeyTv held the 3-2 lead at the half. 

Lake Cowboy, down 4-2 clawed back in the second half. Shae Messner (Dartmouth), Alexa Hanrahan (Assumption), and Josie Hemp (Vermont) again found the net, offsetting tallies from Paige Vreeman (LIU) who scored on an incredible individual effort.  Ryane Kearns (LIU) the scored an extra attacker goal with just 1:32 left to send the game to a deadlock at 5-5, sending it to the shootout.

The goaltenders took over from there. Layla Hemp made 14 stops on 19 shots for Lake Cowboy, while MNHockeyTV’s
tandem of Annika Lavender and Ida Huber combined for 20 saves on 26 shots, with Huber turning away 10 of 13 in her 30-minute relief appearance.

With no goals in overtime, the championship came down to a shootout. Lake Cowboy scored on their second attempt, while MNHockeyTV was stymied on all three of theirs, sealing the victory for the regular season juggernaut.

Lake Cowboy becomes the third champion in Celly League history, capping a dream season with resilience and style. For MNHockeyTV, the game marked a remarkable turnaround from their early season struggles—one that earned them league-wide respect and a future as a top contender.

This was Celly League hockey at its best.

3 Stars of the Game:

1.  Josie Hemp (Lake Cowboy) – 2 goals, including the late go-ahead tally in regulation.

2. Ryane Kearns (MNHockeyTV) – Clutch game-tying goal with an extra attacker late.

3.  Layla Hemp (Lake Cowboy) – Held the fort in OT and the shootout to clinch the Cup.