You all know who I'm rootin' for! (Rubber Kings, Sawyers & Brewers)

1980 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; Knockout Round - North


Chisholm Flames vs Little Falls Pilots
For the first time since 1960, the Flames are playing playoff hockey in Chisholm. The CCSA (Chisholm City Sports Arena) was filled with nearly 1,700 fans as the puck was dropped for the second home Flames playoff game in team history. Things got off to a great start for the Flames, getting an early powerplay opportunity that led to a go ahead goal and there was no looking back. Chisholm was up 4 goals to 1 after two periods, but a five minute major gave the Pilots a lifeline, scoring twice in the 5 minute span to make it a one goal game in Chisholm. It was back and forth for the rest of the game with both teams getting shots on net, but both goalies were there to make the save. Little Falls pulled their goalie in the final minute and came close to tying the game on a couple rebound chances that somehow stayed out of the net. The Flames held on until the final horn sounded and the crowd erupted. Despite a push in the third by the Pilots, the Flames hold on to win by a final score of 4-3 for a date with the top seed in the North, Warroad.

Cloquet Broncos vs Moorhead Huskies
The Barn was rocking in Cloquet as the Broncos lit up the young and inexperienced Moorhead Huskies on their way to a blowout win. Moorhead actually scored the games opening goal with about 5 to go in the first, but Cloquet answered back with one at the end of the period and another early in the second to turn the game on its head. From then out it was all Broncos as Moorhead only managed 6 more shots on goal for the final 37 minutes of the game. Granted one of those shots was a breakaway that gave the Huskies their second goal of the game, but at that point it was all but over as Cloquet held a 4-1 lead. The Broncos netted their fifth of the game on their 48th shot of the game late in the third to all but put this one away as they advance with a 5-2 victory.

Crookston Kings vs Grand Marais Explorers
It was a high paced game all 3 periods with goals coming in all three frames. We were tied at 2 after the first, but the Explorers had an explosive back half of the second where they scored 4 goals to take a commanding 6-2 lead. Crookston buried a rebound in the third but that was about the extent of their offensive chances in the third as Grand Marais controlled play, killing the clock and advancing with a 6-3 win on the road.

Roseau Stars vs St. Cloud Bearcats
Roseau Memorial Arena was filled to capacity with over 3,000 on hand to watch the Stars battle the Bearcats. The puck was dropped and we were off as the Green Army began the "Lets Go Stars" chants. It was an evenly matched game with shots, hits, and time of possession all relatively close. Despite the chances both teams got, the net minders were on top of their game, keeping all shots out of the net to keep things scoreless in the North Star City. St. Cloud was called for tripping a couple minutes into the third to give the ever dangerous Roseau pp a chance. The Stars worked it around before setting up a one time blast from the high slot. The shot was an absolute rocket off the stick and through the bodies in front, blowing past the Bearcat goaltender and into the twine to put the Stars up 1-0. The Green Army became an even bigger factor after the go ahead goal as the Stars looked like they were gonna put home a second, but an open net shot rang off the pipe and was picked up by the Bearcats who took it the other way 2 on 1. The defenseman laid out in between the hash marks to block the one time pass. It was one on one between the St. Cloud forward and Roseau goaltender Tim Baumgartner. As he got to the crease he pulled the puck wide to his backhand, tucking it around the Roseau goalie who was diving out, taking out the Bearcat players skates. Despite falling backwards, the Cat was able to tuck the puck around Baumgartner and across the line to knot things at one apiece. The final horn sounded to give us some free hockey in Roseau as we went to overtime tied 1-1. It was a bit slower in the early parts of overtime with neither team wanting to make any big risks, but there were some shots for both sides. St. Cloud gained control in the offensive zone about 8 minutes in and got a shot on net from the dot that was pushed aside by the keeper. The rebound was picked up by his defender, but disaster struck when a cross ice pass was picked off by a Bearcat who was all alone in the slot, ripping a shot just inside the pipe to send St. Cloud to the next round, stunning Roseau on the road with a 2-1 overtime win.

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1980 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; Knockout Round - Twin Cities


Bloomington West Terriers vs Coon Rapids Bandits
The BIG was filled to capacity for the Terriers first playoff game in 7 years. The puck was dropped and we were underway in Bloomington. Things were slow early on with the two getting a feel for one another. Things began to open up later in the period after West killed a penalty and gained some momentum that was converted into offensive possession and eventually a goal. The Bandits tied things back up at one 6:49 into the second, but two goals only 38 seconds apart in the third would turn the game on its head. The Terriers kept their foot on the gas after taking a two goal lead, controlling majority of play for the remainder of the game as they hold on and knock out Coon Rapids 3-1.

Anoka Warriors vs Lake Elmo Bluejays
It was not the start that Anoka had wanted in their first playoff game of the year as the visiting Bluejays jumped out to a 2 goal lead less than 10 minutes into the game. The Warriors were able to pull within one on the powerplay, but Lake Elmo would get it back before the end of the first to lead 3-1 after 1. We got underway in the second and Anoka was much more precise, creating some scoring chances and eventually tying the game at 3 late in the second. The Warriors weren't done there though, scoring three unanswered goals in the third period to bury Lake Elmo 6-3 and advance.

White Bear Lake Braves vs Menomonie Sawyers
This was just a textbook case of a playoff proven team facing off with newcomers making their first playoff appearance. The end result was predictable to most with White Bear Lake putting on a clinic for 60 minutes, shutting out the Sawyers 4-0 and outshooting them 41-15 in the game.

St. Louis Park Louies vs Golden Valley Chargers
St. Louis Park vs Golden Valley, next door neighbors battling for the first time ever. Many in SLP have been saying that this was going to be the year that the Louies were going to finally win a playoff game, and things were looking great for the "Lou's in Blue" up 3-1 with under 3 minutes left in regulation. Golden Valley called a timeout after the St. Louis Park goalie covered the puck with 2:43 left in the game. The Chargers left their goalie on the bench in favor of the extra attacker, winning the draw and setting up like they were on the powerplay. The puck was worked form the point to a winger at the bottom of the circle who turned and fired at goal. The shot was stopped but the rebound was put home by a Golden Valley player in front to make it 3-2. The Charger bench was buzzing after the goal, sensing that a comeback was possible. Golden Valley picked up the puck in their zone and took off up ice with their goalie rushing to the bench for the extra attacker. The Changers set up once again, looking for an open lane of any kind. A winger took the puck up along the top of the circle then sauced a pass through the slot to a Charger forward on the corner of the slot who redirected it under the Louies goalie's arm and into the netting, tying the game at 3 with only 57 seconds to play. The Golden Valley players swarmed to their bench to celebrate with their team. We were off to overtime at the St. Louis Park Rec Center with all of the momentum in favor of the visitors from Golden Valley. It didn't take long for the Chargers to get some chances, getting a couple shots in the opening minutes of overtime. The Louies were unable to do much more than chip it out of their zone or ice it. The Chargers won a faceoff in the offensive zone and went d to d at the point capped off with a slapshot on goal that caused a loos puck in the slot that was poked at by a number of players before trickling behind the Louies goalie and accidentally getting kicked in by the SLP goaltender. The ref signaled goal and Golden Valley's bench exploded while the 2,000+ on hand were in stunned silence. Golden Valley completes the comeback to knock off their neighbors in heartbreaking fashion to advance by a final score of 4-3.

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1980 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; First Round - North


Warroad Lakers
The Lakers had a bit of a scare thanks to a great performance from the dark horse of the Iron Range in Chisholm. The Lakers were the better team for the majority of play, outshooting the Flames 34-25 when it was all done. Despite being less skilled, Chisholm was able to keep Laker chances to the outside, and with Flames players plastered in front of the net the Flames were able to bury 3 rebound goals in the game. It would not be enough though as Warroad survives the upset scare by edging out Chisholm by a final score of 4-3.

Fort Frances Trappers vs Fargo Titans
It was a slow start in Fort Frances as the Trappers took on the Titans at Fort Frances Gardens with both teams feeling out one another through a scoreless first. Fargo opened the scoring with a bad angle shot that caused a rebound to pop right out into the slot for a rebound goal. Fort Frances would respond in the final minute of the second on a 3 on 1 break, ripping a shot under the goalies arm to tie the game at 1 after 2. Fargo regained the lead with a point blast through a screen, but the Trappers converted on a powerplay midway through the period to once again tie the score. We went to overtime to decide a winner and after a few shots back and forth the Titans chipped a pass off the boards and out of their zone to a finger who was taking off through the middle of the ice, picking up the chip and turning up ice. Just as the far defender was within a sticks reach, the Titan pulled up and dumped a pass for his trailing teammate for a one timer that rippled the twine to send Fargo to the second round with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win on the road in Fort Frances, ending the Trappers Cup dreams.

East Grand Forks Pointers vs Cloquet Broncos
The most dynamic offense in Pointer history was on full display in front of a sold out crowd at the EGF Civic Center, lighting the lamp six times on their 32 shots to bury Cloquet by a final score of 6-1.

Duluth Voyageurs vs Sauk Rapids Bulldogs
Duluth. Is. Back. The Voyageurs put any doubters to rest with this one as they completely shut down Sauk Rapids offensively, holding the Bulldogs to only 11 shots on goal in the game. The only thing preventing a complete blowout was the strong play of Sauk rapids goalie Erik Prow who denied 35 of the 37 shots he faced in the game.


Mountain Iron Cougars vs Grand Marais Explorers
The Iron Range champs had a strong showing on offense in their opening game of the 1980 playoffs as they found the back of the Grand Marais net four times on their way to victory. The Explorers were in this game for all 60 minutes, battling in the offensive zone and creating opportunities. The Garnet and Gold managed to put two past the Cougar net minder but it would not be enough as Mountain Iron advances with a 4-2 victory.

Brainerd Lumberjacks vs Grand Rapids Moose
In what could best be described as a war, the Lumberjacks and Moose battled along the boards, in open ice, and even from the benches with the teams yapping at one another with only the scorers table separating them. It all started after a Grand Rapids forward poked at the Jacks goalie who had the puck covered. The Brainerd goaltender did not take kindly to the jab in the hand and a scuffle unfolded. No penalties were called but tensions were beginning to rise at Brainerd Civic Arena. The hitting picked up for both sides after the scrum, but a huge open ice hit from Brainerd caused a Moose forward to see stars. This of course caused another scrum this time with some punches being thrown in the middle of the mass of bodies. It just escalated from there with a scrum or fight breaking out seemingly every whistle. Brainerd finally put home a rebound late in the second to open the scoring and send the BCA into a frenzy. A Moose high sticked a Lumberjack causing another scuffle ending with Brainerd getting a 4 on 3 powerplay opportunity. With the open ice the Jacks were able to create space for some one time chances until one rang off the pipe and in to give Brainerd a 2-0 lead. Grand Rapids did not give in though, they kept battling and converted on an odd man rush to get on the board to make it a one goal game. Despite their best efforts, Grand Rapids was not able to net the game tying goal, falling by a final score of 2-1 to send Brainerd to the second round and it seems like a new non-league rivalry has been formed.

Virginia Royals vs St. Cloud Bearcats
St. Cloud got the scoring started midway through the first on their 3rd shot of the game, beating the Royals goalie with a redirect in front. Virginia woke up in the second, scoring 4 unanswered goals to turn the game on its head. The Royals netted one more in the third for good measure to knock out St. Cloud by a final score of 5-1.

Bemidji Blue Ox vs Silver Bay Beavers
Bemidji welcomed the Beavers to the John S. Glas Fieldhouse, home of the Bemidji State Beavers and the Bemidji Blue Ox. This was very much a Blue Ox hockey game with the Babes clogging up Silver Bay's skating lanes and throwing the body around. The Ox defense has been their backbone in recent years and their goaltender was on top of his game on the night, turning away all 29 shots he faced for the shutout. Silver Bay had a good defensive game as well, keeping the Blue Ox off the board for nearly 50 minutes. Bemidji finally broke through on a rip from the dot from up and coming star winger Derry Ness who rifled a shot into the top corner of the net, nearly causing the roof of the Glas to blow right off. Ness's goal would prove to be the game winner as Bemidji held on to advance with a 1-0 win.

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Twin Cities Region First Round Predictions

Minneapolis over Bloomington West
The Millers prove their dominance with a thrashing of the Terriers

Richfield over White Bear Lake
The Roosters sneak past the Braves

Golden Valley over Twin Cities
The Chargers continue their run and prove that names aren't everything

Roseville over Anoka
The Rockets put the hurt on the Warriors

Edina over Eau Claire
The Cake Eaters look to make one last run

Como over West St Paul
The Sea Lions catch a spark and upset the Waves

Stillwater over Hastings
The Volunteers look to replicate last years magical run

Brooklyn Park over Mounds View
The North Metro champs out-gun the Gunners