Sutch Shines, O'Hara Delivers as Lake Cowboy Returns to Celly League Championship

EDINA, Minn. — The second Celly League semifinal featured a familiar matchup and another familiar result.

Defending champion Lake Cowboy, the No. 2 seed, held off No. 3 Tradition Mortgage Black for a 3-2 victory Thursday night at Braemar Arena, earning an opportunity to defend its league title.

Lake Cowboy finished the regular season with a 4-2 record and entered the playoffs coming off a dramatic 6-5 victory over Tradition Mortgage Black in a five-round shootout. The rematch delivered another one goal game, but this time Lake Cowboy completed the job in regulation.

Isa Goettl opened the scoring with 27:10 remaining in the first half. Lauren O’Hara set up Goettl’s second goal of the season to give Lake Cowboy an early 1-0 lead.

Tradition answered at 23:50. Addison Andre found Autumn Cooper, who beat Lake Cowboy goaltender Sedona Blair for her second goal of the season and a 1-1 tie.

From there, the remainder of the first half belonged to Mia Sutch.

The well traveled call up from the Dangle League will be only a junior this season, but the University of Minnesota commit has done more than turn heads during her time in the Celly League. With her blend of strength, speed, courage and skill, Sutch has demanded the attention of the hockey world.

Her first goal came with 12:45 remaining in the half. O’Hara sent her into transition through the middle of the ice, where Sutch split two Division I defenders before finishing past Tradition goaltender Ashlyn Hazlett. The spectacular individual effort gave Lake Cowboy a 2-1 lead.

Sutch struck again with 7:05 showing on the clock. Goettl moved the puck ahead and Sutch attacked down the right side with speed, found the edge and buried her shot past Hazlett for her seventh goal of the season and a 3-1 advantage.

Tradition delivered an important response early in the second half. Cooper produced a nifty setup for Avery Achterkirch, who moved down the slot and beat the steady Blair with 24:21 remaining. Lilah Bauer collected the second assist as Tradition pulled within 3-2.

From that point forward, the game settled into a classic playoff style defensive struggle featuring outstanding goaltending at both ends.

Sutch later pounced on an opportunity for her third breakaway of the game. It was only a partial break, but she created a serious bid for the hat trick before Hazlett turned her aside and kept Tradition within one.

Tradition continued to push and sent Hazlett to the bench for an extra attacker with 2:22 remaining. Cooper nearly tied the game moments later, creating a dazzling point blank chance in front. Blair aggressively challenged the shot and slammed the door. Tradition generated another dangerous opportunity in the final minute, but Blair got her blocker on the attempt and protected the lead through the final horn.

Blair stopped 20 of the 22 shots she faced to secure the victory. Hazlett was equally impressive at the other end, turning aside 24 of Lake Cowboy’s 27 shots and keeping Tradition within striking distance throughout the second half.

Sutch supplied two goals, including the game winner, while Goettl finished with a goal and an assist. O’Hara added two assists for Lake Cowboy. Cooper led Tradition with a goal and an assist.

Lake Cowboy now advances to face undefeated Pellicci Ace Hardware for the Celly League championship Tuesday, July 28, at 6:45 p.m. at Braemar Arena.

Tradition Mortgage Black will meet Hepp’s Salt in the third place game Thursday, July 30, at 7 p.m. at Braemar Arena.