Small Falls standing tall, I see.
Will the Moose stay loose?
No doubt the Trout are out.
Beating the Lakers? Looks like two takers.

1976 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; First Round - Twin Cities


Twin Cities Vulcans vs Lake Elmo Bluejays
The top seeded Vulcans rolled right over the Jays, shutting them out 5-0 and outshooting them 45-11 in what turned into one of the most one sided playoff games in recent memory.

Elk River Indians vs Osseo Screaming Eagles
It was a high scoring affair between two North Metro rivals. Osseo got the scoring started midway through the first, but Elk River responded with 3 of their own before the Eagles would get another past the Indians goalie. The third period began with Elk River up 3-2, but it quickly turned into the defining period of the game with Osseo coming out and running away with the win, scoring 4 unanswered goals in the final period to knock off the NMHL champs 6-3 on the road.

Minneapolis Millers vs Fridley Foxes
The four seed in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, was expected to easily handle little Fridley much like their rivals the V's did the year before. Fridley has been a team flying under the radar since their inception, but they have slowly been rising in the standings, improving their spot in the standings every season. This is their best team to date and the Foxes were ready to make the Millers pay for looking past them. Despite the Mighty Millers being the much more skilled team, Fridley was more hungry, keeping pace with the Millers and shutting them down on defense. The Millers eventually broke through to take the lead but it would be short lived as the Foxes would sneak a shot from a tight angle in to tie it at 1. We went to the third with Minneapolis leading in shots 23-18 but the game was tied at 1. Parade Ice Garden was rocking as the puck was dropped in this classic with fans belting out "Lets Go Millers". Their calls were almost answered as a Miller got open ice for a breakaway but he was denied by the Fridley goalkeeper. The Millers continued to press, missing an open net by inches and hitting the post once. This would all come back to haunt the Millers as Fridley went the other way and took a shot on goal that caused a rebound that put the Fixes up 2-1. despite their best efforts, Minneapolis was unable to tie it, falling to Fridley 2-1 at home.

Minnetonka Muskies vs West St. Paul Waves
Minnetonka Arena was electric as over 1,000 fans packed in to watch the first ever home playoff game for the Muskies. Fans were treated to an offensive explosion from both teams with the two combining for 10 goals in the game. The visiting Waves were in the driers seat up 4-3 with 15 minutes left in the game but things took a sharp turn when the Muskies went on an incredible 5 minute span where they had complete control, finding the back of the net 3 times. This would be enough to carry Tonka to the finish line, winning their first playoff game in franchise history 6-4 over West St. Paul.


St. Paul Victorias vs Hopkins Tigers
The V's were just far too much for the Tigers to overcome as St. Paul walked over Hopkins on their way to victory. It started in the first with the V's taking a 3-0 lead and only got worse from there. The Tigers did get on the board thanks to a tip in front. That was the only bright spot on the night for Hopkins as the V's advance with a 5-1 win.

White Bear Lake Braves vs Bloomington Bears
Perhaps the game of the first round in the Twin Cities was this East-West battle between the Braves and Bears. It was a hard fought, low scoring, game in White Bear with neither team really lighting it up on offense. The game was tied at 1 when regulation came to an end. It was only fitting that it was the Braves who would ultimately be victorious. Much like the legend of the Brave and the White Bear that gave White Bear Lake its name, the Brave was successful in defeating the Bear (although instead of dying the Braves will instead advance to the second round).

Edina Cake Eaters vs Anoka Warriors
The Cake Eaters were just the better team in this one, outplaying the Warriors for most of the game. The scoreboard reflected this with Edina shutting out Anoka by a score of 3-0 to advance to the second round.

Maplewood Retrievers vs Golden Valley Chargers
It's a rematch from last years first round, this time in Maplewood. Much like last time, the Goldies were just more aggressive and it ended up making the difference. The Chargers were quick and were in the lead for much of the early part of the game, but Maplewood would jump in front 3-2 near the end of the second and they wouldn't give it up, adding an empty netter to put it away and advance with a 4-2 win.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

The Millers just can't catch a break in the playoffs, can they?

1976 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; First Round - South


Rochester Mustangs vs Eagan Oaks
UPSET ALERT! The top seeded team in the South Region has been knocked off by the Eagan Oaks. The Oaks caught the Mustangs sleeping on them, jumping out to a two goal lead after the first and keeping the Stangs in the rear view mirror for the remainder of the game. Rochester made it close by pulling to within one with 16:42 left in the game, but Eagan would tighten it up on defense, preventing the game tying goal with some miraculous saves and luck. The Oaks put it away with an empty netter to shock the league, knocking off the highest ranked team in the south on day 1 of the playoffs.

Mankato Moose vs La Crosse Brewers
La Crosse has had a good go against teams from the Blue Earth, winning 5 of their 6 games against BEHL opponents, their only loss coming against the Mankato Moose. The series was tied 1-1 between these two as the puck was dropped in Kato. Things got off to a good start for the Moose, earning a powerplay early and capitalizing. The Brewers would respond with a goal of their own, but Mankato would regain the lead before the second. La Crosse opened the scoring in the second, taking a 3-2 lead for a few minutes before the hometown Moose would tie it at 3. The period wound down to the final minute and La Crosse went down for one last chance. They took a shot from the high slot, ripping it past the goalie's ear into the top corner of the goal to give the brewers the lead heading into the third. The Brewers kept their momentum going after their late period goal, scoring two more in the third to knock off the Mankato Moose by a score of 6-3. The Brewers and their "Lucky number yellow" jerseys improve to 6-1 all time against the Blue Earth as they advance to the second round.

St. Peter Governors vs Red Wing Chiefs
It was a disappointing game for Red Wing who made the trip to St. Peter just to get their butts kicked in embarrassing fashion. The Govs unloaded 5 goals before the Chiefs finally got on the board and by then it was way too late. St. Peter advances with a dominant 5-1 victory.

Owatonna Owls vs Brookings Buffaloes
This one was an even battle through and through. Both teams were playing very good hockey, putting on a terrific show for the nearly 1,500 on hand at Four Seasons Arena. The game was tied at 2 when the third began, both teams knew that the next goal would be possibly season extending. The tension was crazy on both sides as they went back and forth with chances. It was only a matter of time that one of these chances would end up on the scoreboard, it was only a matter of which team would be so lucky. Unfortunately for the hometown crowd, it was the visitors from South Dakota who got the puck luck, blocking a shot and creating a breakaway chance that put the Buffs in front 3-2. The final horn sounded and Brookings hopped the boards to celebrate the win with their goalie, the Buffaloes have finally won a playoff game.


Marshall Pheasants vs Luverne Flying Dutchmen
The "Minnesota Rivalry" of the Southwest Hockey Association got their first playoff meeting and it turned out to be quite a one sided affair. The Pheasants are just too good this year, dominating the game as they shut out their rivals 4-0 at home to advance.

Austin Mavericks vs Burnsville Bucks
The Mavericks were firing on all cylinders in this one, outgunning the Bucks 5-2. This was actually a fairly even game with shots ending 34-29 for the Mavs, Austin was just better at capitalizing on the opportunities presented to them. The Mavericks were ready and waiting to jump on any slip up by Burnsville, pulling ahead and never looking back to win their first playoff game in 20 years.

Sioux Falls Packers vs Le Sueur Green Giants
The Giants had a hot start, catching the Hogs by surprise and taking a 1-0 lead after one. Sioux Falls woke up in the second, scoring three in the second and one more in the third before Le Sueur would get another behind the Packer goalkeeper. Sioux Falls takes care of the Green Giants by a score of 4-2 to advance to the second round.

Apple Valley Cardinals vs Hastings Rivermen
It was a hard fought battle at the Apple Valley Sports Arena as the Cardinals battled their league mates from Hastings. The Cards got on the board in the second to finally break the deadlock. The Rivermen would work their way back into it in the third, tying the game at 1 and forcing overtime. We went to extra time as the crowd belted "Lets Go Cards" chants. It started off slow with neither side taking any risks, but it began to open up about 5-6 minutes in. Apple Valley rang a shot off the pipe that got a reaction from the crowd, but Hastings picked it up and got an odd man rush the other way that was stopped by the Cardinal goaltender. Apple Valley broke down ice, entering the Rivermen zone and taking it down low. The puck carrier left the puck behind the net for his teammate who was swinging behind the net from the other side. The goalie kept with the original puck carrier, not knowing he had dished it to his teammate. This allowed the Cardinal winger to wrap it around to the other side of the net without the goalie even knowing what happened. The arena erupted and the Cardinals swarmed the ice, beating Hastings 2-1 in overtime to advance to the second round.

Let me know what you think,comments are appreciated!

sevsdast wrote:

Sig for Inner Grove Heights please?

Here ya go!