1979 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; First Round - South


Austin Mavericks vs Shakopee Six
Shakopee jumped out to an early lead just past the 5 minute mark of the first period, but it was all Austin from then on with the Mavericks scoring 5 goals before the Six would finally get another past the Maverick goaltender. Austin moves on with a convincing 5-2 win over Shakopee.

Marshall Pheasants vs Faribault Flickertails
After a slow start and a scoreless first period, the Pheasants opened up the scoring on the powerplay in the second. Marshall built on their lead with a rebound goal before Faribault got on the board to make it 2-1. The third was high paced, back and forth hockey, with the Pheasants and Flickertails going up and down the ice on odd man chances. This type of play suited the more skilled Pheasants who buried 3 before the Tails answered with their second. Marshall scored one more for good measure, advancing with a 6-2 win on home ice.

Red Wing Chiefs vs Sioux Falls Packers
Many MAHL fans had this matchup circled on their calendars knowing that these two teams stack up incredibly well against each other on paper. Both are teams that in the last few years have been good but not top tier, both teams have won their respective leagues, and both are known for their team style of play. The game was as advertised with both teams playing their brand of hockey in what was a very even contest. It was so even in fact that the Chiefs and Hogs were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation to force overtime at Pottery Pond Park. Sioux Falls drew a tripping penalty to set up their powerplay and as they set up the attack a Red Wing defender cross checked a Packer in front of the goal, drawing another penalty to give Sioux Falls a golden 5 on 3 powerplay opportunity in overtime. The Chiefs won the faceoff and cleared the puck, but the Packers went back and gathered, setting up in the offensive zone yet again. With only 3 men on the ice, there was a lot of open ice for the Packers to work with, dishing a cross ice pass to the far winger for a one timer that was saved by the Chief goalie, but the rebound was picked up by Sioux Falls. The Packer forward dashed behind the net, wrapping the puck around the net and putting it in the open net to send Sioux Falls to the second round with a 3-2 overtime win on the road.

Brookings Buffaloes vs Sioux City Shockers
It was a Southwest Hockey Association battle in Brookings as the SWHA Champion Buffaloes host their first ever playoff game as they take on the Sioux City Shockers. City got on the board in the back half of the first period to hold a 1-0 lead into the second. The hometown Buffs would bounce back in the second with a rocket from the point that blew past the Shocker goalie to tie the game at 1. We began the third all tied at 1 with Brookings holding a slight edge in shots 22-18. There was a bit of miscommunication on behalf of the Buffaloes near the midway point in the period as a forward passed the puck back to the point without realizing his d man had gone for a change. This gave the Shockers a 2 on 0 break where they passed it back and forth before finally beating the goalie with a quick shot to put City up 2-1. Brookings pulled their goalie for the final minute of the game but the Shockers gained control and scored on the empty cage to secure the upset win, knocking out Brookings 3-1 on the road.


Mankato Moose vs Le Sueur Green Giants
Its always a treat to see two rivals facing off in the playoffs, that is what we had in Mankato as the Moose took on their neighbors up the Minnesota River. It was a low scoring game with way more physical play dictating the play. We were scoreless after two with the shots 17-13 Mankato. It was beginning to look like nobody was going to score as we passed the midway point of the third with still no score. Finally Mankato was able to intercept a Giants breakout pass, getting the puck to a wide open Moose player in the slot who faked a shot, dropping the goalie, then pulled it back and fired into the back of the net. That would be the only goal of the game as Mankato holds on to advance with a 1-0 win over their rivals from Le Sueur.

Winona Wildcats vs Rochester Mustangs
We are in unprecedented territory here as we head to Winona for some playoff hockey. It is only fitting that in their first playoff game the Cats are taking on the most successful team in Valley Hockey League history, a team that has not missed the playoffs in 32 years, the Rochester Mustangs. History means nothing when it comes to actually playing the game though, with Winona striking twice in the opening frame to get off to a great start. The Mustangs got one back in the second, but the Cats responded right back with a powerplay goal near the end of the second to take back their 2 goal lead. Rochester was the aggressor in the third, trailing two goals, but Winona did a very good job of keeping all of the shots to the outside, making it pretty easy for their goaltender to make the saves. The final horn sounded and Wildcat Arena exploded with cheering, Winona has taken down Rochester, advancing to the second round by a final score of 3-1.

Apple Valley Cardinals vs Burnsville Bucks
The two most successful teams in South Metro history and arguably the biggest rivals in the SMHL currently Apple Valley and Burnsville are facing off in the first season for the first time ever. There is no love lost between these bordering towns so it was no surprise to see the Apple Valley Sports Arena filled with nearly 1,500 as the puck was dropped. Things were looking good for the hometown Cardinals as they opened the scoring with a pair of goals in the first. Burnsville would pull it back to make it 2-1 after one, but Apple Valley was not done, beating the Bucks goalie five hole to take a 3-1 lead. Burnsville had a bit of puck luck early in the third, getting a lucky bounce off a skate in front of the Cardinal goal that squeaked in to pull the Bucks back to within one. The fluke goal clearly caused a swing in momentum as Apple Valley looked a bit deflated while Burnsville seemed to have found new life. It was all Bucks for the next few minutes until a battle in the slot for a loose puck was smacked towards the goal and the rebound was popped home to tie the game 3-3. Regulation wasn't enough to decide a winner so we went to overtime, and then a second overtime. After over 35 minutes of overtime hockey, a Bucks shot was tipped in front, beating the goalie and completing the comeback. Burnsville takes down their arch rivals with a thrilling double overtime win on the road by a final score of 4-3.

Inver Grove Heights Lions vs Owatonna Owls
There were a lot of questions about the legitimacy of IGH this season, but all of those doubts were put to rest in their first playoff game as they outwork and outplay a very good Owatonna team. A 3 goal second put the Lions in a very comfortable spot and despite a goal by the Owls in the third, the Lions managed to hold on, getting that goal back and advancing with a 4-1 win over Owatonna.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Second Round Preview - South


Austin Mavericks vs Marshall Pheasants
Two of the best teams from the South Region in recent years, the Mavericks will get home ice as they look to get back at the Pheasants for their second round loss 3 years ago. Will Austin come out on top and make their 3rd straight Super Series birth? Or will the Fightin' Pheasants build on their big win over Faribault and make their return to St. Paul?

Sioux City Shockers vs Sioux Falls Packers
For the first time 7 years, the Sioux Rivalry is back in the playoffs. City and Falls have a long history of disdain for one another, both being among the top teams in the Association since its founding. Will City get their revenge for '72? Or will the Hogs make it 2-0 against their arch rivals in the post season?

Mankato Moose vs Winona Wildcats
The 12th ranked Mankato Moose look to return to St. Paul, but first they have to get past Winona. Normally that would be a laughable sentence, but the Wildcats seem to have put their days as lovable losers behind them, showing that they are a legitimate contender after knocking out the always dangerous Rochester Mustangs. Will Mankato put an end to the Wildcats playoff dreams? Or will the underdogs make history and punch their ticket to the show?

Inver Grove Heights Lions vs Burnsville Bucks
Two South Metro Hockey League teams, Burnsville is looking to make it back to the Super Series while Inver Grove is a team who has really just come into their own this season. Will the playoff experience and momentum of their big win over the Cardinals be enough to put Burnsville through? Or will IGH send the Pride to St. Paul with a win?

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

WINONAAAA

Stunned silence after an OT winner is one of my favourite things in sports. I can hear the post ringing in the silence. Awesome write up.

FANTASTIC showing by the Dogs against the defending champs...they'll get it next year!