1986 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: Second Round - South


#9 Mankato Moose vs Cottage Grove Yellow Jackets
Mankato came out determined to clinch their 6th Super Series birth in the past 10 years, and there was nothing that Cottage Grove could do to stop them. The Moose offense walked all over the Yellow Jackets, scoring a pair in all three periods for a grand total of 6 on the night. Cottage Grove was able to net one in the first and another in the third, but Mankato kept their foot on the gas all game long and never really let Cottage Grove into the game. When the final horn sounded, Mankato sat comfortably in front, knocking out Cottage Grove 6-2 to return to the Super Series for the 7th time in team history!

Hudson Bengals vs Worthington Zephyrs
It was a battle between two teams that shouldn't even be here in the eyes of most. Both the Bengals and Zephyrs are coming off massive upset victories to get them here, but for one side their Cinderella run would have to come to an end. The first period was anyone's game with both teams getting good looks on offense. After 20 minutes the score was tied 1-1. Worthington took a 2-1 lead in the second period while on a 5 on 3 powerplay, and you could just feel the momentum swing. The Zephyrs took the lead and didn't look back, going on to outshoot Hudson 23-6 from that point on. The Zephs added to their lead in the third, scoring a pair to give themselves a 3 goal cushion. The Bengals would have no answer, sending Worthington to their first ever Super Series with a 4-1 victory in Wisconsin!

#14 Marshall Pheasants vs Hastings Rivermen
It was a quintessential playoff game in Marshall as the Pheasants and Rivermen battled tooth and nail for 60 minutes in a game that would only have one goal scored. We remained scoreless through two periods from a sold out Lyon County Fairgrounds, giving the third period that feeling of being overtime without it really being overtime. Both goalies were on top of their game, but no man is perfect. After 27 shots were denied, Marshall was finally able to sneak one past the Hastings netminder during a scramble out in front of the net. The Rivermen threw everything at the Pheasant goaltender, but he was able to make the saves needed. The horn sounded and Marshall punches their ticket to their 5th Super Series with a 1-0 win over the SCHL champs from Hastings.

#16 Northfield Outlaws vs Rochester Mustangs
Northfield Ice Arena was sold out well before puck drop with fans filling the stands to watch these VHL rivals face off for a ticket to Bloomington. With how well these two know each other, it was no surprise to see this game go to extra time with the score tied 2-2 at the end of regulation. Both teams were looking for a hero, and on this night that hero was wearing black and red. The Outlaws worked the puck around the offensive zone before passing through the slot to a man on the back door. He whiffed the initial shot, but quickly tried again, lofting it over the diving Mustang goaltender and into the back of the net. The red light lit up and the 1,500+ in attendance exploded in cheer. For only the second time ever, Northfield is heading to the Super Series, taking down the Rochester Mustangs 3-2 in overtime!

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Super Sixteen Predictions

Thunder Bay over Worthington
Minneapolis Millers over Detroit Lakes
Anoka over St Louis Park
International Falls over Superior
St Paul Victorias over Alexandria
Mounds View over Mankato
Sauk Rapids over Northfield
Apple Valley over Marshall

Great Eight Predictions

Thunder Bay over Apple Valley
Sauk Rapids over Minneapolis Millers
Mounds View over Anoka
St Paul Victorias over International Falls

Semi Final Predictions

St Paul Victorias over Thunder Bay
Sauk Rapids over Mounds View

Kellogg Cup Final Prediction

Sauk Rapids over St Paul Victorias

1986 Kellogg Cup Super Series - Super 16


#1 Thunder Bay Giants vs Worthington Zephyrs
UPSET ALERT! The 1986 Super Series got off to a crazy start as the 16 seed Worthington Zephyrs stunned the top ranked Thunder Bay Giants in convincing fashion. The Zephyrs came out flying in their first ever Super Series appearance, burying a one timer on their first shot of the game to take a 1-0 lead. Worthington added on with two more in the second and another in the third to bury the Giants. Thunder Bay just looked flat all game long, only mustering a measly 15 shots for the game as they fail to beat the Zephyr netminder. Worthington pulls off the stunner, shutting out the number 1 ranked team in the MAHL by a score of 4-0.

#14 Marshall Pheasants vs #15 Apple Valley Cardinals
Things started off good for the South Metro Hockey League champs, taking an early 1-0 lead on a shot from the top of the circles. Apple Valley kept pressing through the first, but Marshall were able to keep it a one goal game after 20 minutes. Things switched up in the second though with the Pheasants pouring on the offense, peppering the Cardinal goaltender and finding the back of the net twice in the period. Marshall kept their foot on the gas in the third, limiting the Apple Valley chances. The Pheasants were able to hold on to the final horn to advance with a 2-1 victory over the Cards.

#6 Superior Lakers vs International Falls Ice
The first period was back and forth, high paced, hockey. Both sides were getting good looks in the opening period, but only Superior would find the twine, beating the Ice goalie from point blank range just past the 10 minute mark of the period. History repeated itself in the second as the Lakers picked up a puck in the slot to beat the goalie over the pad and put his team up by a pair. International Falls felt their backs to the wall after falling behind 2-0 and started to push back shortly after. The Ice got a flurry of shots from the slot just a couple minutes after giving up the goal, beating the Laker goalie on the 4th or 5th rebound attempt. International Falls would continue to press for the rest of the second as well as the third, but neither side would be able to get another on the board. The final horn sounded to send Superior to the Great Eight with a 2-1 win.

#7 St. Paul Victorias vs #24 Alexandria Norsemen
The first period was a feeling out process with neither team really doing much in terms of offense. Things opened up in the second period though, but only on one side of the ice. St. Paul buried a rebound to take a 1-0 lead a few minutes into the game, and the V's refused to let up. A pass to a trailing forward gave him time and space to pick his spot and nail it, giving St. Paul a 2-0 lead heading to the third. Alexandria did their best to try and come back in the third, but the skill and speed of Housley, Parker, and co. was too much to handle as the V's held on, adding a third on the empty net with just 10 seconds left to play. Alexandria sees their season come to an end, getting shut out by St. Paul 3-0.


#2 Minneapolis Millers vs Detroit Lakes Wood Ducks
UPSET ALERT! Everything was looking fine for the Millers late in the first, outshooting and outplaying Detroit Lakes for most of the period despite it still being scoreless. But then, with just 7.5 seconds left in the period, Detroit Lakes took the puck into the Minneapolis end on an odd man rush. It was passed to the man in the middle who took a shot from the slot on his backhand, fooling the goalie a bit as it trickled through the five-hole to put the Wood Ducks up 1-0 after 1. Detroit Lakes had some momentum after the late goal and came out strong in the second, building on their lead midway through the period to silence the majority Miller crowd, now up 2-0. Minneapolis kept with it though, putting pucks on net until a bounce finally went their way. A shot was stopped from a ways out, but the rebound went right to a Miller winger who buried it to make it a one goal game in the third period. Minneapolis threw everything their could at the Detroit Lakes goaltender for the final minutes of the game, ending the game with more than twice as many shots as the Ducks. None of it would matter though as the Detroit Lakes Wood Ducks were able to hold on and stun the #2 ranked Minneapolis Millers by a score of 2-1.

#10 Sauk Rapids Bulldogs vs #16 Northfield Outlaws
Things got off to a blazing start in Bloomington in this matchup between ranked opponents. Sauk Rapids buried a third rebound attempt to take a 1-0 lead 5 minutes in. Northfield wasted no time responding, tying the score at one less than a minute later on a one time blast. The scoring wasn't done there though with the Bulldogs burying another rebound with 7 minutes left in the period to make it 2-1. If you told most in the crowd right then and there that this would be the final score of the game, they wouldn't believe you. That was just how explosive that first 20 minutes was offensively for both teams. However, that would be exactly what happened as both Sauk Rapids and Northfield would tighten things up defensively after the first period. Neither side would be able to get anything else on the board, sending the Bulldogs to the Great Eight with a 2-1 victory over the VHL Champs.

#4 St. Louis Park Louies vs Anoka Warriors
Either the comeback of dreams, or a collapse straight out of your nightmares. Everything was going great for Anoka, scoring once in both of the first two periods to take a 2-0 lead over the #4 ranked team in the MAHL and looking good while doing it. The Warriors were doing everything they needed to to keep themselves in front, still ahead 2-0 with 5 minutes left in regulation. But then the Louies came to life. St. Louis Park beat the Anoka goalie with 4:36 left to play, and from then on it was all Louies. Just over a minute later, St. Louis Park had buried their second to level the score at two. It was looking like the Louies were about to finish this one in regulation with how dominant they were in the final minutes of the game. Anoka was able to force overtime, but it was only a matter of time. St. Louis Park came out like they were on a powerplay, holding the puck in the Warrior zone and forcing turnover after turnover. It wouldn't even take three minutes before the Louies were able to find the back of the net and punch their ticket to the Great Eight. St. Louis Park completes the comeback, knocking out Anoka by a score of 3-2.

#9 Mankato Moose vs #17 Mounds View Gunners
There wasn't much going on in the first period with both teams just getting a feel for one another. The second period was also pretty slow, but Mankato was finally able to get the scoring started with under 5 left in the frame. The clock kept ticking in the third with the score still 1-0 Moose. Time was beginning to run out on the Gunners and they pulled their goalie after getting an offensive zone faceoff with under a minute left to play. Mounds View won the draw and worked it around the zone, looking for an opening. A lane opened up to a man in the slot who caught the pass and quickly ripped a shot that beat the Mankato goaltender to tie the game 1-1 and force overtime. A few minutes passed without much happening, but then Mankato got called for interference to give Mounds View the man advantage. Mankato was able to clear the zone, forcing the Gunners to retreat to their own end. A Moose penalty killer was aggressive on the attack and forced a turnover in the slot. He didn't get much on the shot, but that may have actually helped fool the goaltender as the puck trickled across the goal line. Mankato moves on, scoring short handed in overtime.

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1986 Kellogg Cup Super Series - Great Eight


#14 Marshall Pheasants vs Worthington Zephyrs
It was a battle between a couple Southwest Hockey Association foes in the first Great Eight matchup of this Super Series. Worthington took an early lead on the powerplay, holding a 1-0 lead for most of the game. Marshall finally got a fortunate bounce in the third period to level the score at one apiece. Things opened up for the Pheasants after they finally got on the board, completely dominating the final 10 minutes of play. Marshall kept pushing and eventually a rebound popped loose and was put home to put the Pheasants ahead with two and a half minutes left to play. Worthington pulled their goalie in desperation and Marshall converted not once, but twice. The score makes it look much more one sided than this game truly was. Marshall comes back in the third to end Worthington's Cinderella run. The Pheasants move on with a 4-1 victory.

#6 Superior Lakers vs #7 St. Paul Victorias
This was a game that many will remember for years to come. A true masterclass of speed and skill by two of the top teams in the MAHL. Superior got the scoring started in the first, burying a rebound a little over 9 minutes in. St. Paul would waste no time getting it back though, intercepting a D to D pass to go in all alone on a breakaway and beat the Laker goalie with a shot over the glove. The offense wasn't done there though as the Lakers retook the lead just a few moments later to make it 2-1 after 1. Both teams would keep the high tempo going in the third and St. Paul would wind up leveling the score at two on a nifty passing play down low to open up a one time tap in. We were tied after two, sending us to the third period in a game that was up for the taking. Superior drew a powerplay in the third, and after winning the offensive zone faceoff worked it around the zone tick-tack-toe to open up a wide open net and make it 3-2 Lakers. The V's poured it on in the final minutes of play, but the Superior goaltender stood tall to keep his team in front. The final horn sounded to send the boys from Wisconsin to the Semi Finals with a 3-2 win over St. Paul.

#10 Sauk Rapids Bulldogs vs Detroit Lakes Wood Ducks
UPSET ALERT! Detroit Lakes keeps their Cinderella story alive, taking down the tenth ranked Sauk Rapids Bulldogs. The Woodies were able to get on the board first, picking the pocket of a Bulldog defenseman in front of his own goal. The Detroit Lakes forward was able to get the shot away from point blank range, beating the Sauk Rapids goaltender to put the Ducks up 1-0. It wouldn't be until the midway point of the third period that the Bulldogs would finally get on the scoreboard, creating a little space in the slot to open up the one timer. The horn sounded to send us to overtime at Met Center. The Wood Ducks came out absolutely flying as overtime began, pinning the Bulldogs in their own zone and even getting a 2 on 0 chance that was denied just over a minute into OT. Detroit Lakes couldn't get it done there, but just moments thereafter they found a man open in front for the tap in to send them to the Semi Finals with a 2-1 victory over Sauk Rapids in overtime.

#4 St. Louis Park Louies vs #9 Mankato Moose
The first period was really stop and go between the West Metro and Blue Earth champs, neither side would get on the board in the first 20 minutes. It didn't take long for Mankato to find the back of the net in the second though, burying a rebound less than 2 minutes in to take a 1-0 lead. St. Louis Park wasted no time responding, absolutely sniping the top corner of the net from the top of the circle, the Mankato goalie stood no chance. Late in the second, the Louies worked the puck around the offensive zone before finding a man open near the dot for a one time blast that rang off the post and in to put St. Louis Park ahead 2-1 heading into the third. Things were looking bleak for Mankato as time began to tick down on them, but an odd man rush with less than 3 minutes to play ended in a one timer that beat the Louie goaltender to tie the score at 2. The Moose weren't done there though, going right back up the ice after the center ice faceoff and roofing a shot over the goalies shoulder. In the blink of an eye, Mankato has jumped out to a 3-2 lead. St. Louis Park pulled their goalie in the final minute of play to try and force overtime, but when the Moose took control and dumped it into the empty net to make it 4-2, it was all but over. Three goals in the final 2:55 propel Mankato to their first ever Semi Final appearance, knocking out St. Louis Park by a score of 4-2.

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1986 Kellogg Cup Super Series - Semi Finals


#6 Superior Lakers vs #14 Marshall Pheasants
It was a sold out crowd at Met Center in Bloomington as the Superior Lakers and Marshall Pheasants took the ice for our first of two semi final matchups of the evening. The first period was back and forth, but rather slow and lacking in the offensive department. The Pheasants were able to get one past the Superior goalie, but it was waved off, ruled that there was goaltender interference. We ended the first scoreless, but Marshall kept putting pucks on net and got rewarded in the second. The Pheasants drove to the front of the net and set up a back door tap in to make it 1-0 midway through the game. A slapshot through a screen beat the Laker goaltender to make it 2-0 with two minutes left to play in the second. Superior played their hearts out in the third, but Marshall decided to shut things down defensively. It was still 2-0 as we reached the final minute of play, the Lakers with their backs to the wall. With the empty net, the Lakers were able to get some offensive zone possession and buried a one timer with 21 seconds left in regulation to make it 2-1. Superior would win the faceoff and go back on the attack, pulling their keeper again. Marshall would gain control of the puck and dump it down into the empty net to secure a 3-1 win. For the second time in the past three years, the Marshall Pheasants are heading to the Kellogg Cup Final, knocking out the Superior Lakers by a score of 3-1!


#9 Mankato Moose vs Detroit Lakes Wood Ducks
UPSET ALERT! To say that the Wood Ducks came out flying would be an understatement. Detroit Lakes went out and sent a message with their first shift, ringing a shot off the post just seconds into play before finding a man in the slot for a one timer to put the Woodies up 1-0 just over a minute into the game. Things got chippy shortly after, with a Moose winger lighting up a Wood Duck leading to some fisticuffs between players from both teams. After the scuffle was settled down and we could resume play, the Moose won an offensive zone faceoff and quickly beat the goalie five hole to tie the game at one. Detroit Lakes hit their second post of the game a few minutes later, but that would be the last of the offense in the first. Mankato took a 2-1 lead 7:44 into the second, forcing a turnover down low and tucking it in before the goalie could get to his post. Detroit Lakes showed great resilience after going down by one, getting some good looks and eventually finding a rebound right in front of the goal that was poked past the goalie to tie the game at two. The Wood Ducks were buzzing after netting their second, pinning the Moose in their own end for the next minute or so until a shot from the top of the circles found its way through a mass of bodies in front, ringing off the post and in to put Detroit Lakes ahead 3-2. Mankato threw everything they had at the Wood Ducks netminder in the third period, dominating the period, but getting nothing to show for it. Detroit Lakes capitalized on the empty net to clinch the 4-2 upset victory. Unranked Detroit Lakes is heading to the Kellogg Cup Final in their first ever trip to the Super Series!

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