I finally got a little free time to get the playoff bracket figured out so without further adeu, here is the 1959 Kellogg Cup Playoff Tree.


Knockout Round Previews:

Superior Lakers vs Duluth Hornets

One of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in the MAHL, the Lakers and Hornets will do battle across the Wisconsin border. Superior's Sislo will get his first look at the playoffs, it will be interesting to see if the pressure gets to the young center.

Rochester Mustangs vs Rochester Robins

The Battle of Rochester will be making its first playoff appearance as the Mustangs and Robins face off for the first time in the post season.

Steinbach Barbarians vs Austin Mavericks

Austin makes the LONG journey to Manitoba to face the Barbarians. 

Brainerd Lumberjacks vs Ely Black Bears

A new team on the rise versus one of the most historic and decorated teams in the league. Ely will be looking for their first playoff win in 6 years.

Edina Cake Eaters vs Fergus Falls Cyclones

The Cake Eaters look to make a splash in their first playoff appearance. While the Cyclones hope to play spoiler to the newcomers.

South St. Paul Mavericks vs Little Falls Pilots

Johansson and the Mavs look to defend Kaposia Park Rink as the Pilots come to town.

Mankato Moose vs Thief River Falls Railers

Mankato is hoping to show that southerners can play too, while the Railers hope to keep their first playoffs going with a win in Kato.

St. Paul Victorias vs Chisholm Flames

Upset by their seeding and not receiving a first round bye, expect the V's to come out hot against the Flames.


Who are you pulling for? Who do you think will advance? Let me know!

TourneyEarnie wrote:

So the drive from Austin, MN to Steinbach, MTB, CA is over 8 hours and ~550 miles. No one from Austin in the 60s is going to make that drive.
I have a feeling the Rochester Mustangs can do some damage this post season.

That's the good thing about this being fictional haha.

On a serious note though, I have thought of this and am considering making the playoffs more geographically based but I'm not sure how that'll exactly work, especially with the expansion boom about to happen.

EXPANSION BOOM!??!?!?!!? I wonder if the Twin Cities Conference will split at some point?

Kellogg Cup Playoffs Knockout Round


Superior Lakers 2 OT
Duluth Hornets 1

The best game of the knockout round was unsurprisingly the Border Battle between the Lakers and Hornets. Despite having a 1-0 lead after the first, the Hornets were unable to get on the board again while the Lakers forced overtime and put the final dagger through the hearts of their rivals with a shorthanded game winner in overtime by Sislo.

Rochester Mustangs 4
Rochester Robins 2

The Battle of Rochester went about how everyone expected with the Mustangs coming out on top 4-2. The Stangs' speed is their biggest asset and is their best chance at upsetting the Royals in the second round.

Steinbach Barbarians 3
Austin Mavericks 2

The Mavericks and their mini-caravan of friends and family put up a good effort in Steinbach, but were ultimately unable to knock off the very dangerous looking Barbarians.

Brainerd Lumberjacks 1
Ely Black Bears 0

A defensive battle through and through, both goalies made over 30 saves on the night and kept the game tied for the majority of the game. The Jacks were finally able to slip one past the Black Bear goalie midway through the third and it was enough to get them the win advance.

Edina Cake Eaters 3
Fergus Falls Cyclones 1

Edina looked very good in their first playoff appearance, dominating most of the game and only allowing 6 shots against all game. The biggest question mark for the Cake Eaters is whether their goaltending is good enough for them to compete in the later rounds.

South St. Paul Mavericks 5
Little Falls Flyers 2

The reigning MAHL MVP Anders Johansson put on a clinic against the Flyers. He notched a hat trick and an assist in South St. Paul's 5-2 win over Little Falls.

Mankato Moose 1
Thief River Falls Railers 2 OT

Arguably the biggest story of the first round was the Thief River Falls Railers upsetting the Mankato Moose on the road, winning their first ever playoff game. Tied 1-1 after regulation, extra time was required at Lake Dorothy in Mankato. A couple minutes into the overtime period Thief River got a lucky bounce in the neutral zone sending them on an odd man rush which was capitalized on by Jack Smith who immediately took off towards his bench while reportedly yelling "ALL ABOARD!" and pumping his right arm as if he was pulling a train horn. The Railers were the only visiting team to win in the knockout round.

St. Paul Victorias 5
Chisholm Flames 4

In an uncharacteristic game for both teams, the Victorias and Flames exchanged blows back and forth all game, rather than playing the shut down defense both teams have become known for. The V's ultimately came out on top thanks to a snipe just over the shoulder of Olafsson.


Do you guys care about previews for upcoming rounds? I'm not sure if it's too much writing so I'll leave it here this time but if you guys prefer having previews let me know!

Who are you pulling for? Who do you think will advance? Let me know!

Last edited by Section30 (9/11/2019 10:22 pm)

Hot Take:
- Rochester will upset Virginia #GoStangs
- Steinbach will beat St Cloud. I just got a feeling that St Cloud will play down to their opponents and end up trying to play catch up for the entire game.
- Roseau and TRF could be another close one, but TRF better not let the momentum get to their heads. 
- Hibbing is just way to good for Superior
- International Falls will pepper the 'Jacks tendy, he will get worn out by then start of the 3rd.
- Edina will give Thunder Bay a run, but TB is just to physical. Giants will eat cake to celebrate!
- SSP's Anders Johansson cant carry his team forever. Duluth will shut him and the Mavs down.
- Millers and the Vs SHOULD be a close game. I think the northern style of hockey that the Flames play really threw the Vs for a loop, but they got it together in the end. I think the Vs will take somethings they learned from the Chisholm game and outsmart the high ranked Millers. 


OKAY so I dont really know why I went so in depth with this, but personally I really like the previews. It bring the lore and story of the thread to life. Otherwise its just jerseys, logos, and brackets. 
 

Last edited by TourneyEarnie (9/11/2019 11:59 pm)