Wait a time to get into coma. My Diamonds are out of the playoffs. Good lord, it's a nightmare come true. And I didn't dream of a nightmare last night.

Hey Detroit Lakes! Glad to see the Ducks moving on.

1986 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: Second Round - Twin Cities North


#10 Sauk Rapids Bulldogs vs St. Cloud Bearcats
Two long time rivals facing off for the first time ever in the playoffs with a ticket to Bloomington on the line. The game was actually moved indoors to accommodate the need for more seating and it was actually was played in St. Cloud at the Bearcats home rink, the MAC, with the Bulldogs playing as the "home" team due to their higher standing. There wasn't an open seat in the arena as the puck was dropped with fans from both teams packing the stands. They were treated to an offensive shootout with the two combining for ten goals in the game. St. Cloud gave Sauk Rapids all they could handle, but the 10th ranked Bulldogs were able to outlast the Bearcats. When the final horn sounded it was 6-4 in favor of Sauk Rapids, sending the Bulldogs to their second Super Series in team history, both coming within the past 3 years.

#24 Alexandria Norsemen vs East Bethel Cranes
This game got off to a very quick start with Alexandria scoring under a minute into the game and the Cranes responding only 2:05 later. The Norsemen would regain the lead again in the first, but East Bethel would level the score at two before the end of the first. Alexandria began to slowly but surely take over the game in the second, outshooting the Cranes 17-4 in the period. The Norsemen buried two in the second and one more in the third to give themselves a three goal cushion. East Bethel had no answer, watching the clock tick down to zero. Alexandria is heading back to the Super Series, punching their ticket for the third time in the past four years with a 5-2 victory over East Bethel.

#12 Maplewood Retrievers vs Anoka Warriors
UPSET ALERT! In a battle between two teams looking to return to the Super Series after making an appearance last year, it was the unranked Warriors from Anoka that would walk away victorious. The first period was a feeling out process with very little for offense on either side. Things opened up a bit in the second though when Anoka got on the board with the man advantage to break first blood. The Goldies would even the score 1-1 on a shot with eyes that got through a mass of bodies in front of the net untouched, beating the Anoka goaltender five hole. The third period came and went with no goals scored so we were sent to overtime at a sold out Aldrich Arena. A little under 6 minutes into overtime, we had a winner. The Warriors blocked a shot in their own end and took it the other way on a 2 on 1 break. The puck carrier looked at his teammate, pulling the defenseman towards the pass, leaving him 1 on 1 with the goalie. He decided to keep it simple and opted to shoot rather than deke. He picked his corner and rifled it, beating the Maplewood goaltender high glove side to send his team to their second Super Series. Anoka moves on, pulling off the upset in Maplewood by a score of 2-1.

#17 Mounds View Gunners vs Plymouth Militia
It was all Mounds View in this second round matchup at Shoreview Arena. The Gunners were firing on all cylinders, lighting up the Militia goalie with 40 shots in the game. Plymouth was bailed out a couple times by their netminder, but he wasn't perfect, allowing three goals against in the game. None of that matters though as the offense failed to get anything going in the Mounds View zone. Mounds View advances to their second Super Series, shutting out Plymouth 3-0.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Twin Cities South Predictions
- Richfield cruises to an upset victory over the Millers.
- Apple Valley shuts out Minnetonka.
- Easy victory for the Lous against Eden Prairie.
- Chaos ensues in the capital city. Game goes to shootouts. The Westside Waves wash the Vics in glorious fashion. Game sets a new non-Kellogg Cup MAHL attendance record.

1986 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: Second Round - Twin Cities South


#2 Minneapolis Millers vs Richfield Roosters
The Mighty Millers sure lived up to their nickname in this Second Round matchup with Richfield. Minneapolis first met the Roosters last year in the first round which saw the Millers advance with a 4-1 win. Things were only more one sided this time around as the second ranked Millers skated circles around the Cocks on their way to a 6-1 route of Richfield. Minneapolis returns to the Super Series for the third year in a row, their 11th all-time, knocking out Richfield in dominant fashion.

#15 Apple Valley Cardinals vs Minnetonka Muskies
Apple Valley welcomed Tonka back to the Apple Valley Sports Arena for the second year in a row. The Cards took their first meeting by a score of 2-0, and like they say, history tends to repeat itself. Apple Valley got on the board first and never gave up their lead for the rest of the game. Minnetonka would keep it close, scoring a pair of goals in the second, but the Cardinals would hold off the Muskies just enough to hold onto a two goal lead until the final horn. Apple Valley advances to their second Super Series, their first in over a decade, beating Minnetonka by a score of 4-2.

#4 St. Louis Park Louies vs Eden Prairie Pumas
Our third second round matchup saw our third rematch of a 1985 Playoff game as Eden Prairie took the 15 minute drive north to take on the Louies. Back and forth went both squads, lighting the lamp on either side of the ice seemingly at will. It was an offensive display all game long with both teams creating beautiful plays to lead to goals. It became an arms race on the scoreboard and more often than not the more skilled team will win that battle. That is what happened here as St. Louis Park fed on the hometown crowd, pushing them that extra bit that gave them the go ahead goal with 4:19 left in regulation. EP would muster a couple shots in the last few minutes, but the Louie goaltender was there to make the saves needed. The final horn sounded and the crowd erupted in cheer. St. Louis Park is heading back to the Super Series, beating Eden Prairie by a final score of 5-4.

#7 St. Paul Victorias vs West St. Paul Waves
Oh my, what a comeback! After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, the V's were able to slowly claw their way back into the game. St. Paul got on the board thanks to a lucky bounce off a WSP defenseman in front of his own net that made it a 2-1 game. The V's tied it up with the man advantage in the third period, bringing the 7,000 in attendance to life with booming "Lets Go V's" chants for minutes on end. St. Paul began to pour it on after tying it up, pinning the Waves in their own zone for long stretches of time. It clearly began to effect the Waves who were gassing out, creating more openings for the V's. A shot from the top of the circle was saved with the blocker, but the rebound went to a Victoria forward in front of the goal who slapped at it, beating the West St. Paul goaltender five hole to put St. Paul in front. The V's would continue to press until the final horn, keeping the Waves to only 3 shots in the third period. St. Paul moves on, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat long time TCHL rival West St. Paul 3-2.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!