Tradition Mortgage Black claims third place with 4-1 win over Hepp’s Salt

The Celly League had one final piece of business to put a bow on its fourth season: determining the third place finisher in the league playoffs.

Hepp’s Salt and Tradition Mortgage Black met Thursday night at Braemar Arena after each came up short in its semifinal matchup. Both teams entered looking to close the summer on a winning note and secure a spot among the league’s top three.

Tradition Mortgage Black accomplished the mission with a 4-1 victory, pulling away with three unanswered goals in the second half.

Hepp’s Salt struck first at 27:40 when Grace Bendickson finished a play created by Ellie Stewart and Jilian Klein. Bendickson’s goal gave Hepp’s an early lead and rewarded a strong start around the Tradition net.

Tradition answered at 22:00. Autumn Cooper moved the puck to Addie Morris, who converted to tie the game 1-1.

The score remained deadlocked through the remainder of the opening half as goaltenders Annika Lavender and Ashlyn Hazlett kept the game under control.

Tradition broke through seven minutes into the second half. Abby Garvin scored at 22:00 after Chloe King and Addison Andre combined to create the opportunity, giving Tradition its first lead of the night.

King extended the advantage at 13:45, taking a feed from Avery Achterkirch and finishing for a 3-1 lead.

Achterkirch then capped the victory at 9:30. Brenna Prellwitz and King collected the assists as Tradition completed its three-goal second half and secured third place.

Hepp’s Salt generated plenty of pressure while attempting to climb back into the game, outshooting Tradition 22-15 in the second half and 33-30 overall. Hazlett was the difference, turning aside 32 shots and shutting out Hepp’s over the final 57:40.

King led the Tradition offensive charge with a goal and two assists, while Achterkirch added a goal and an assist.

Tradition Mortgage Black’s 4-1 win earned the team third place and provided a strong finish to the Celly League’s fourth season.