WTF Eau Claire?

Thehealthiestscratch wrote:

Odd question, has a top 20 team ever been left out of the tournament? Like the league was so good where 1st through 4th were all top 15 and number 5 in the league was 20th in the MAHL?

Yes it has happened before (1973 St. Paul Saints, ranked #20 in the MAHL but fifth in the TCHL, so missed the playoffs)

1974/75 Regular Season - South


St. Peter had a tremendous season, grinding their way to their first league title in franchise history despite not being the most skilled of teams. Sliding back up into second are the Owls, getting back on track after a disaster of a season a year ago. Moving down to third are the Bavarians who are beginning to show signs of aging, not looking quite as dominant as they had in years past. Faribault is back in the dance, holding off the Moose who took a giant step back after looking like legit contenders and league champions a year ago. Albert Lea also fell out of the playoffs, sitting just ahead of a rising Green Giants squad. Mason City continues to fall and people still are scratching their heads trying to figure out what it is that is preventing what should be a good team from getting to the next level. And in last we had the Fairmont Hawks.


The carousel in the South Metro continues to spin around as Hastings explosive offensive attack led the Rivermen to their first league title. Staying in the chase were the Cardinals and Bucks who both had respectable seasons yet again. Sliding into the four spot are the Oaks, returning to the playoffs for the second time. This left Cottage Grove out of the fun after by far their most successful season a year ago. Lakeville was alright this year, but struggled to keep it going for multiple games in a row, ultimately remaining near the bottom. And in the bottom two positions are the usual suspects, Shakopee and Rosemount.


Sioux Falls walked away with the league from the get go, clinching the title with 7 games yet to play. This may in fact be the best Packer squad to date, and many are saying that it's now or never for their core with many players in the late prime of their careers. The Hogs head into the playoffs by far the best team in the South, finishing ranked 4th in all of the MAHL. Coming in second is Marshall, the Pheasants continue to improve, even surpassing Sioux City in third. Luverne makes it both Minnesota squads from the Southwest making the playoffs. The Buffs had a good start and looked poised to make the playoffs yet again, but the team collapsed late in the season, only winning 3 games in the back half of the season and dropping to 5th. Spirit Lake was a bit better than a year ago, but still were not back to the level they were only a couple seasons ago and it isn't looking too good as far as improvement went this season. Dropping to last place are the Paddlefish who just couldn't get anything going this season, getting walked all over by the rest of the league.


The Brewers are back on top, earning their second league crown and making it the first time that a team from Rochester didn't win the Valley for 2 years in a row. La Crosse turned some heads this season, even finishing in the top 20, being one of only 2 teams in the south to get ranked. The Mustangs were of course not far behind, winning the Civil War Trophy in its first season and making the RRC a very intimidating place to play, only losing 3 games at home in their first season there. The Outlaws had another good season, remaining in the top three and being a tough team to play against. It's time to celebrate in Austin, the Mavericks are back in the playoffs for only the third time in the last 16 years. That meant the Robins missed out on the playoffs for the second year in a row, the first time that has ever happened with this being only their 3rd time ever. Rochester isn't bad, the rest of the league just seems to be getting better, making it tougher for the Robins. Red Wing finished in 6th with the expansion partners Lake City and Wabasha behind them. The bottom two were once again Cannon Falls and Winona.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Well, looks like the Brewers and Lakers are going to have to do Wisconsin right this year.

Good to see Sauk Rapids slowly climbing the rankings... albeit, they're still terrible.

Looks like this season might top even last year's in how wild it's getting...a Top 5 playoff streak ended with Mankato's first-ever playoff miss, as did a top 5 drought with Tonka's first-ever berth. (There is hope for you yet, Winona and Sauk Rapids).

Even with my Rubber Kings running out of bounce, this is another fantastic season to be a fan from Wisconsin...my Brewers are Valley League CHAMPIONS BABY (with their highest-ever seeding to boot)...them and the Lakers are both in the Top 20, which puts them in PRIME position for an all-Wisconsin Super Series meeting!

Ready to see the playoff trees now...