Tradition Mortgage Fends Off MNHockeyTV Comeback in Celly League Action

Braemar Arena – July 22, 2025

Tradition Mortgage tightened its grip on second place in the Celly League standings Tuesday evening with a 4-2 victory over MNHockeyTV in a high-tempo battle that featured both a fast start and resilient pushback.

Entering the game two points apart in the standings, both teams had plenty on the line—especially MNHockeyTv, who brought in reinforcements for the first of two games on their schedule tonight. Newcomers Sydney Bryant (St. Cloud State), Rilee Bartz (St. Thomas), Cara Sajevic (St. Thomas), and Ella Boerger (St. Thomas) all made immediate impacts despite the final score.

Tradition wasted no time asserting control, racing out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Goals from Maddy Christian (PSU), Suzy Higuchi (Yale), and Sophie Stramel (MSU) set the tone for the visiting side, who capitalized on crisp puck movement and a  strong forecheck to put MNHockeyTV on its heels early.

MNHockeyTV found a spark before the first frame closed, however.  Bartz broke through with a goal at 24:02, assisted by college teammate Paige Vreeman (LIU) and Whitney Horton (UST), cutting the deficit to 3-1. The goal gave MNHockeyTV momentum in the second, and they continued to chip away.

With just under four minutes left in the game, MNHockeyTV made things interesting. Bartz again found the net for her second of the game off feeds from and Grace Delmonico (SCSU) and Anna Jerylo (St. Michael's), pulling the home side within one. 

But Tradition had the final answer. With the goalie pulled and MNHockeyTV pressing for the equalizer, Lauren Zawoyski (MSU) buried an empty-net goal at 1:01 of the second to seal the deal, with assists from Christian and Maiah Aanenson (Frankline Pierce).

Goaltender Jayden Weisser (Assumption) stood tall for Tradition with 25 saves on 27 shots, while MNHockeyTV’s Ida Huber (LIU) turned aside 21 of 24 in a losing effort.

The win lifts Tradition Mortgage to 4-3-0 on the season and solidifies their spot in second place, while MNHockeyTV drops to 2-3-1 but remains firmly in playoff contention with another game still to come tonight.

3 Stars of the Game:
1.  Rilee Bartz (MNHTv) 2 goals
2.  Maddy Christian (Tradition Mortgage) 1g-1a-2pts
3.  Jayden Weisser (Tradition Mortgage 25 saves

The Celly League action rolls on as MNHockeyTV looks to bounce back in their second game of the night with a game against league leading Lake Cowboy, while Tradition heads into the stretch run with momentum on their side.