MNHockeyTV Surges Past Pellicci Ace Hardware to Cap Off Regular Season with Statement Win

Braemar Arena – July 24, 2025

With playoff positioning on the line in the regular season finale, MNHockeyTV delivered its most complete performance of the season, riding a hat trick from Rilee Bartz (UST) and a stellar effort from netminder Annika Lavender (St. Michael's) to a 4-2 win over the two-time defending Celly Cup champions, Pellicci Ace Hardware.

The win lifted MNHockeyTV (3-4-1) into third place, leapfrogging Ace (3-4-1) by virtue of the head-to-head victory. In just their first season as a Celly League expansion team, MNHockeyTV has shaken off early-season struggles and now enters the playoffs as a legitimate dark horse contender.

The opening half was tightly contested, marked by disciplined neutral zone play and limited second-chance opportunities. MNHockeyTV opened the scoring just over six minutes in when defenseman Emma Hoen (Lindenwood) picked up a puck deep in her zone, dashed coast-to-coast, and created a rebound opportunity that Elisabeth Gerebi (St. Michael's) capitalized on to make it 1-0.

Later in the half, Bartz began her scoring assault with a highlight-reel snipe from the top of the circle, picking the short-side glove corner to double the lead at 2-0.

Ace Hardware clawed back early in the second half with a greasy goal from Lily Hunst (Assumption), who jammed home a loose puck that trickled up and over Lavender to cut the deficit in half.

But Bartz quickly answered, burying her second goal off a netfront scramble sparked by a smart dish from Grace Delmonico (SCSU) and a keep-in from Olivia Grabianowski (Merrimack). The pair would connect with Bartz again minutes later when Grabianowski’s blocked shot and tenacious puck pursuit set up Bartz for her third of the game and fifth of the season—a nifty backhand finish that pushed the score to 4-1.

Avalyn Mikkelson (Assumption) gave Ace a glimmer of hope with a goal midway through the second half, but Lavender shut the door the rest of the way, finishing with 25 saves on 27 shots.

Despite the loss, Pellicci Ace Hardware still enters the playoffs with their championship pedigree intact as the two-time defending Celly League Cup Champion. But on this night, it was the newcomers who made the loudest statement, showing that they’re no longer just happy to be in the league—they're here to win.

MNHockeyTV enters the playoffs as the third seed, brimming with confidence and momentum, while Pellicci Ace Hardware regroups to defend their crown from the fourth position. The postseason promises fireworks, and this finale delivered the perfect prelude.

Three Stars:

1. Rilee Bartz (MNHTv) – Hat trick, 5 shots, game-winner

2. Olivia Grabianowski (MNHTv) – 2 assists, critical hustle play on Bartz's third goal

3. Annika Lavender (MNHTv) – 25 saves, steady all game under pressure