1983 Kellogg Cup Super Series Bracket


The stage is set, let me hear your thoughts and predictions!

Predictions for the inaugural Super Series Round of 16

Fort Frances over Alexandria

Thunder Bay over Stillwater

Minnetonka over Edina

St Paul over Eau Claire

Blaine over Fargo

Rochester over Eagan

New Ulm over Brooklyn Park

International Falls over Mankato

1983 Kellogg Cup Super Series - Super Sixteen


#1 Fort Frances Trappers vs Alexandria Norsemen
UPSET ALERT! We had a stunner in the opening game of the 1983 Super Series with the top ranked team in all of the MAHL getting upset by the 16 seed from Alexandria. The Trappers came out fast, getting a couple chances early, but Alexandria was able to take it the other way and bury a shot to put them up 1-0 on their first shot of the game. Fort Frances was able to tie it up late in the first, finding a man in the slot to tie the game at one. The next two periods came and went in an excellent defensive effort by the Norsemen, holding the explosive Trapper attack to only 14 shots on goal through regulation. We went to overtime still tied at 1. A couple minutes into the overtime period Fort Frances got called for slashing, giving Alexandria a golden opportunity. The Norsemen won the draw and set it up in the Fort Frances zone. It was worked up to the point and the defenseman wound up for a slap shot. The puck had eyes and got through bodies in front of the goaltender, blocking his sight of the puck. It rang off the inside of the post and in, sending Alexandria fans and players into hysteria. Fort Frances was the better team on the ice, dominating time on attack and overall play, but it is the 16 seed Alexandria Norsemen who come away victorious in overtime.

#23 Mankato Moose vs International Falls Ice
The Moose were looking great in the early goings of this game, dominating play for most of the opening period. Mankato converted on an odd man rush 3 minutes into the game to take a 1-0 lead which they held until International Falls scored with just over a minute left in the period to send us to the second tied at one. The ice began to tilt in favor of the Ice in the second as International Falls completely dominated the period and were able to pop one home to take a 2-1 lead heading into the third. A powerplay goal with under 5 minutes to play made it a 3-1 International Falls lead which they held onto to advance to the Great Eight.

#6 St. Paul Victorias vs Eau Claire Rubber Kings
UPSET ALERT! In a high paced, back and forth game, the Eau Claire Rubber Kings walk away victorious, avenging their second round loss a year ago. St. Paul spent the entirety of the game chasing Eau Claire tying it at 1-1 after 1, then 2-2 after 2, and tying it again when the Kings took a 3-2 lead in the third. Eau Claire was the more aggressive team for the majority of the game, outshooting the V's and this eventually paid dividends as Eau Claire scored two more goals in the third period to take a 5-3 lead. This time, St. Paul was unable to crawl back and tie the game. The final horn sounded to send Eau Claire to the Great Eight, upsetting the sixth ranked V's.

#7 Fargo Titans vs Blaine Spartans
The story of the game was penalties, both teams sent men to the box on 5 separate occasions, giving the opposition multiple chances. Blaine, despite being the better team in this one 5 on 5, was unable to convert on any of their powerplay chances. Fargo, however, managed to go 3 for 5 with the man advantage. Those three tallies would be all the Titans could muster in the game, but it would be enough to send them onwards. Blaine finally got on the scoreboard late to avoid the shutout, but their season ultimately came to an end as Fargo advances with a 3-1 win.


#2 Thunder Bay Giants vs Stillwater Volunteers
Despite what the scoreboard may suggest, this game was actually much closer than it looks. Thunder Bay got one midway through the first to take the lead, they scored two in quick succession in the second and it was beginning to look like the Giants might be running away with it. Stillwater came out flying in the third though, completely outplaying the Big Red Giants, but they could not solve Thunder Bay goaltender Alex Rucchin who stood tall and made the save on all 20 shots he faced in the game. The Volunteers just ran into a brick wall on the night, sending Thunder Bay to the Great Eight with a 3-0 shutout win.

#17 New Ulm Bavarians vs Brooklyn Park Panthers
Brooklyn Park broke first blood, finding a man on the hashmark for a one timer to put the Panthers ahead 1-0 after 1. New Ulm pulled it back in the second to tie the game as we went to the third at the St. Paul Civic Center. The "MAHLscot" as fans have been referring to him as is a cowboy mascot in seemingly infinite color combinations who wears the jersey of whatever team is home for the game, was introduced this year by the league to entertain the crowd at the Super Series and was on hand wearing the powder blue and white of New Ulm during this game. We were still tied at one as we got to the final minute of the game. It was looking like we were heading to overtime, but the Diamonds were able get a turnover in the offensive zone and turned it into a quick chance that found the back of the net to give them a 2-1 lead with 38 seconds left in the game. They weren't content there though, winning the next faceoff and going right back in on attack. A shot from the top of the circle squeezed through the goalies five hole and it was now a 3-1 game. The final horn sounded seconds after the puck was dropped and the celebrations began, New Ulm advances to the Great Eight with a 3-1 win over Brooklyn Park.

#5 Edina Cake Eaters vs Minnetonka Muskies
It was a rivalry reborn as Edina took on Minnetonka in the Super Sixteen. This game ultimately boiled down to a combination of two things: Edina being a very good hockey team, and Minnetonka marching to the box all game. The Muskies were shorthanded a whopping 8 times in this game, giving the explosive Cake Eater powerplay unit numerous opportunities. Edina took a two goal lead in the first, one coming on the man advantage, before Tonka made it a 2-1 game. Edina scored one more goal in the second and another in the third, both coming on the powerplay. When the final horn sounded the Cake Eaters had outshot the Muskies 31-18 and had a 4-1 lead, sending them to the Great Eight.

#15 Rochester Mustangs vs Eagan Oaks
This game was about as even as one can get. It was a low scoring affair, both teams did get chances, but the goalies were looking really good for both sides. The Mustangs took the lead with 8 minutes left in the first, going bar down from the slot. Rochester scored another beauty in the second, this one just finding the top right corner of the net, beating the goalie over the glove. The Oaks were still in this game despite being down two, almost even with the Stangs on the shot and time on attack categories. It got down to the final minute of the game before the Oaks finally put one home, finding a man on the far side dot to make it a one goal game. Eagan pressured for the rest of the game, but they just ran out of time in the end. Rochester manages to hold on, advancing to the Great Eight with a 2-1 win over Eagan.

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1983 Kellogg Cup Semi Finals


#7 Fargo Titans vs International Falls Ice
Fargo came out the gates flying, getting 6 shots on goal within the opening 5 minutes, but the Ice goaltender was there to make the save. International Falls pulled it back in the second half of the period, though neither side could find the back of the net in the first. It was a back and forth second until the Ice got a shot that the Titan goalie got a piece of. It wasn't enough as it slid between his legs and across the line to put the Ice up 1-0. Fargo would tie the score at one on the man advantage with 8:35 left to play. It was a fast back and forth game for the rest of regulation, but overtime would be needed at the St. Paul Civic Center. International Falls nearly ended it early on a point blank chance that was denied. The Ice came ever so close again on a breakaway, but again were denied. On the ensuing faceoff, the Ice won it in the offensive zone and passed it tick tack toe from one man to another before finding a man on the back door for a tap in goal to send International Falls to the Kellogg Cup Final!


#2 Thunder Bay Giants vs #15 Rochester Mustangs
Thunder Bay found themselves heading to the box just seconds into the game, giving the Mustangs a golden opportunity early. Rochester pressured and got a couple good chances, but Rucchin was red hot, stopping everything he saw. The Giants were able to get a pass from down in the corner out to a man in the slot for a one time goal to put them up 1-0. It was a physical second, both teams also getting a couple looks on goal but to no avail. Not until Thunder Bay went down on a 2 on 1 break, connecting on the cross crease pass to put Big Red up by two. The momentum was all in favor of Thunder Bay as the third began. The Giants worked it in the offensive zone for a bit before winning a puck battle in the corner and finding a man on the back door for the third time in the game, extending their lead to 3-0. Rochester had plenty of scoring opportunities in the third, controlling the majority of play in the period, but they could not get anything past #33 Alex Rucchin. The final horn sounded and Giants flooded the ice to mob their goaltender, Thunder Bay is heading to the Kellogg Cup Final, defeating Rochester by a score of 3-0.

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1983 Kellogg Cup Final


1st Period
TB - 1
IF  - 0

The St. Paul Civic Center was filled to capacity for the 1983 Kellogg Cup Final between the Thunder Bay Giants and the International Falls Ice. The puck was dropped and we were underway. It was an even match for the first half of the period. The Giants got a man advantage midway through the period and after picking up a pump in in their own end, found a man up ice and they went in 2 on 1. He passed it to his teammate who gave it back for a one timer that put Thunder Bay up by 1.

2nd Period
TB - 1
IF  - 0

International Falls turned up the pressure in the second, but Thunder Bay's goaltender was there to make the saves necessary. The Giants notorious defense was also solid in the period, keeping the Ice to the outside and blocking a number of shots.

3rd Period
TB - 2
IF  - 1

Thunder Bay extended their lead to two at the 11 minute mark of the first, skating into the slot and beating the International Falls goaltender blocker side. It was back and forth for the next several minutes, but neither side could get on the board. International Falls was really pressing in the final minute, getting chance after chance denied before finally beating Rucchin on a slap shot after winning a faceoff in the offensive zone, making it a one goal game with 33 seconds left in the game. The Ice tried their best in the final seconds of the game, but Thunder Bay was able to get control of the puck and kill off the remaining time. For the third year in a row, the Kellogg Cup is staying in the Lake Superior Hockey League, the Thunder Bay Giants are your 1983 Kellogg Cup Champions!

The Tschida Trophy was awarded to Thunder Bay goaltender Alex Rucchin for his incredible playoff performance, leading the Giants to their first Kellogg Cup in 45 years. Rucchin was solid all year long, leading the LSHL in goals against during the regular season, but his incredible 1.40 goals against in the post season is truly something to remember.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!