FC Macbeth wrote:

Burmy87 wrote:

1. Bakers (nice contrast to Millers, with SO many possibilities for branding)
2. Musicians (nice unique name, with about as many branding possibilities as Bakers)
3. Jesters (nod to their hopefully former status as the laughingstock of the league..."We used to think our team's history was a tragedy...but now we realize...it's a comedy.")

 
That's the same as mine!

I know...what a coincidence!  (Seriously, though, Bakers has pulled away to a nice early lead, as the only name on all three ballots so far...I know the big guy's gonna put together a lovely brand for whichever name ends up winning)

1. Musicians
2. Flying Aces
3. Archers

Musicians isn't my favorite for 1965, but there's a bright future for the name in my opinion.

1. Jesters
2. Flying Aces
3. Archers

Kellogg Cup Super Series; Semi Finals


Virginia Royals vs La Crosse Brewers
Seemingly the entire town of La Crosse had made the trip to St. Paul to cheer on their Brewers. To Virginia, this was nothing new being a perennial contender. The first period was back and forth, high paced hockey, but no goals were scored as both goalies were on their game. The Royals finally broke the deadlock on a beautiful, tick tack toe passing play capped off with a great shot, beating the Brewers goalie. The third period came and La Crosse became desperate for any offensive chances. The Brewers were taking chances in the offensive zone, pinching the defensemen to try and keep the puck in the offensive zone, risking odd man rushes the other way if the Royals were to get through. That is exactly what happened with just over 3 minutes left in the game as a Virginia winger banked the puck off the boards, past the La Crosse defender, sending the Royals in on a 3 on 1. The puck carrier slowed up at the circles, getting the defenseman to attack and then swung the puck to a teammate coming with speed who blew past the D man and took a quick shot at the hash mark hard and low, finding its way between the goalies legs and into the back of the net. That would be the last action of the game as the Royals just killed the clock for the remainder of the game, advancing the their first Kellogg Cup final since 1945. As for the Brewers, they may be done, but they have nothing to be ashamed of. Nobody expected them to even get past the Millers in the first round, let alone perennial powerhouses Brainerd and Thief River Falls. La Crosse should be very proud of the impressive run they had.


Warroad Lakers vs Winnipeg Monarchs
A Northland Hockey League match up in the semi finals, what a treat. Winnipeg and Warroad are very evenly matched, with the two having split the season series 1-1-1. The first and second were very physical, as was expected with these two, but neither side was able to get on the scoreboard. Winnipeg was first to strike in what turned out to be a 3 minute span of chaos. The Lakers responded promptly, 34 second later to knot things back at 1-1. Winnipeg was not done however, getting a 2 on 1 chance just over a minute later and capitalizing to get their lead back, then netted one more just over a minute later to add a bit of a cushion to their lead. The Lakers went down after the face off and hit the crossbar, but it would not go. Winnipeg spent the remainder of the game in prevent defense, forcing everything to the boards and dumping the puck into the Warroad zone every chance they could, just to kill as much time as possible. The clock ticked down to the final minute and Warroad pulled their goalie. The Lakers applied the pressure, hitting the post yet again, but again it would not go. The final horn sounded and the Winnipeg Monarchs advance to their first Kellogg Cup Final.

It is going to be quite a regal final. Will it be the Royals or the Monarchs that take the MAHL crown?

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

1965 Kellogg Cup Final


1st Period
WIN - 1
VIR - 0

It was a balmy 27 degree day as over 7,000 flooded to the St. Paul Auditorium, among those in attendance was Clarence Campbell, President of the National Hockey League. The puck was dropped and the game had begun. Winnipeg let their presence be felt early on, delivering a number of big hits and getting called for a slash, setting the tone early that Virginia was in for a hard hitting affair. The Monarchs killed off the penalty and gained momentum, they rushed down into the Royals zone. A winger fired a shot from the high circle that was pushed aside, but the rebound was collected by a Monarch who one timed it home to give Winnipeg the lead.

2nd Period
WIN - 1
VIR - 0

The second period was back and forth, but the goalies were who shined. Both tenders made some outstanding saves to keep the score at 1-0 after 2.

3rd Period
WIN - 2
VIR - 2

Things opened up considerably in the third. Virginia got on the board 2 minutes in on a blast from the point that beat the Monarch goalie under the blocker. The Monarchs bounced back though, regaining the lead 12:21 into the third. The clock ticked on as Virginia gave it everything they had on offense. The Royals pulled their goalie with just over a minute to go and set up in the Winnipeg zone as if it were a powerplay. The extra skater opened up lanes and the Royals were able to make a nifty tic-tac-toe passing play to a player in the slot who pump faked the goalie and buried the puck just under the bar, tying the game and sending the majority Minnesotan crowd into a frenzy.

Overtime
WIN - 3
VIR - 2

Virginia began the overtime period on the attack, having all of the momentum and the crowd on their side. The Monarchs managed to keep them out of high scoring areas. Winnipeg managed to chip the puck up the boards and out of the zone. Virginia went back to regroup, but a Monarch was right on top of the puck carrier. He caught the Royal by surprise, putting him on his ass and sending the Monarchs in on a 2 on 1. The defenceman took away the passing lane, but when the Winnipeg forward looked like he was about to shoot the defender lunged towards him. The Monarch flipped a back hand pass over the stick of the defenceman, right to the tape of his teammate who caught the pass and fired a shot low glove side, beating the goalie and clinching the Winnipeg Monarchs first ever Kellogg Cup!

The Tschida Trophy was awarded to Brady Millen for the second year in a row. This is Millens third time recieving the award (the most of any player)

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!
 

Last edited by Section30 (1/11/2020 4:21 pm)