Edina, MN – July 29, 2025
The second semifinal of the 2025 Celly League Cup Playoffs at Braemar Arena delivered a fast-paced, hard-hitting thriller between Tradition Mortgage and MNHockeyTV. In a game that saw two explosive offenses flying end-to-end and grinding along the boards, it was MNHockeyTV who surged in the second half to claim a 6-3 victory and a spot in Thursday’s Celly Cup Championship Game against undefeated Lake Cowboy.
Tradition Mortgage, who finished second in the regular season at 4-4, entered the contest having beaten MNHockeyTV in both previous meetings. But the age-old hockey adage—"it's hard to beat a good team three times"—proved true as MNHockeyTV flipped the script with a dominant second-half performance.
The opening period was a back-and-forth goal fest with six total tallies. MNHockeyTv jumped out early behind two goals from Grace Wolfe (SCSU). Her early season acquistion proved valuable to the team. Addison Andre (Franklin Pierce) with two of her own, one assisted by Suzy Higuchi (Yale) and Justyce Ohlgren (St. Anselm), and another unassisted tally that showcased her pure finishing touch. Avery Chesek (Yale) added a third for Tradition midway through the half.
But MNHockeyTV refused to let the game get away. Emma Hoen (Lindenwood) put here team up by one at 3-2 a three on a nifty goal down around goal mouth area on a tough angle. Hoen would finish with an assist on the evening as well. MNHockeyTv never trailed in the game, but Tradition continued their push in the frantic first period on a goal by Chesek. That would be all Tradition would get the rest of the game.
The second half belonged to MNHockeyTV—and especially to their goaltender Annika Lavender (St. Michael's), who turned aside all 9 shots she faced in a flawless performance that lowered her already stingy goals-against average.
MNHockeyTV took full advantage of their momentum shift, breaking the tie just under 11 minutes into the second half when Avery Achterkirch (BSU) finished off a slick setup from Vreeman and Delmonico. Achterkirch struck again eight minutes later, and Whitney Horton (UST) added an insurance goal less than three minutes after that to cap the scoring at 6-3.
Goaltending was a tale of two halves: Lavender and Ida Huber (LIU) combined to stop 18 of 21 shots, while Tradition’s duo of Hailey Hansen (MSU) and Ashlyn Hazlett (BSU) managed just 13 saves on 19 shots.
With the win, MNHockeyTV earns its first-ever appearance in the Celly Cup Final, setting up a championship showdown with undefeated Lake Cowboy. The title game promises to be a high-stakes clash between the league’s deepest team and its hottest. Puck drop is set for Thursday night.
3 Stars of the Game
Grace Wolfe (MNHockeyTV) – Scored two goals and set the tone early.
Annika Lavender (MNHockeyTV) – Perfect second half in net, turning away all 9 shots in a clutch playoff performance.
Addison Andre (Tradition Mortgage) – Scored two first-half goals to give her team an early spark.