Lake Cowgirl Outlasts Hepp's Salt in Shootout to Open Celly League Season

by Pete Waggoner

The fourth season of the Celly League got underway Wednesday night at Braemar Arena with a pair of matchups featuring many of the top collegiate and professional women's hockey players in the region. In the opener, defending champion Lake Cowgirl battled Hepp's Salt in a tightly contested defensive affair that required a shootout to determine a winner.

As is often the case on opening night, goals were difficult to come by early.

Lake Cowgirl struck first with 6:45 remaining in the opening period when Josie Hemp (Vermont) gathered a puck near center ice and powered her way down the left wing before beating goaltender Monja Wagner (Union) from close range for a 1-0 lead. Alexa Hanrahan (Assumption) earned the lone assist on the play.

The game's opening 20 minutes belonged largely to Lake Cowgirl netminder Layla Hemp (Minnesota), who looked every bit as dominant as she did a season ago. Hemp turned aside all 13 shots she faced in the first period, continuing the form that saw her post a 3-1 record while allowing just three goals in four appearances last season.

Wagner, a bronze medalist with Team Switzerland, matched Hemp save for save throughout much of the contest. The veteran netminder appeared to be in midseason form despite it being the first game of the summer schedule.

Hepp's Salt finally broke through with 9:45 remaining in regulation. Danica Mark (Delaware) worked her way from the left corner into the low slot before using the full width of the net to beat Lake Cowgirl goaltender Dani Strom (St. Thomas). Mark's shot caught the inside of the far post and found the back of the net, knotting the game at 1-1.

Neither team could find a winner during the remainder of regulation despite strong goaltending at both ends. Sedona Blair was perfect in relief for Hepp's Salt, stopping all eight shots she faced in the second half, while Strom turned aside 11 of 12 Lake Cowgirl chances to send the season opener to a shootout.

In the skills competition, Lake Cowgirl's Justina Valentini (Assumption) provided the difference-maker.

Fresh off a productive collegiate season that saw her record 5 goals and 25 assists for 30 points in 38 games, Valentini showcased exceptional patience and skill. She slowly worked her way in on Blair before making a smooth move to her backhand and lifting the puck into the net for the lone goal of the shootout.

The tally secured a 2-1 shootout victory for the defending champions and gave Lake Cowgirl a winning start to their title defense.

Final Score

Lake Cowgirl 2, Hepp's Salt 1 (SO)

Scoring Summary

First Period

  • LCG – Josie Hemp (Hanrahan), 6:45

Second Period

  • HEP – Danica Mark, 9:45

Shootout

  • LCG – Justina Valentini (Game Winner)

Goaltenders

  • Layla Hemp (LCG): 13 first-period saves

  • Dani Strom (LCG): 11 saves

  • Monja Wagner (HEP): Strong performance in regulation

  • Sedona Blair (HEP): 8 saves in relief