1981 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: Knockout Round - Twin Cities


Edina Cake Eaters vs Plymouth Militia
Braemar Arena was packed to capacity, but something seemed different this year. The arrogant confidence of knowing that you were almost guaranteed a Super Series birth was absent as the Cake Eaters took the ice for their first ever Knockout Round matchup against Plymouth. The Hornets Nest is never an easy place for opponents so it wasn't much of a surprise that the Militia had a slow start to the game, getting only 2 shots on goal in the first 10 minutes of play. Edina got the first goal of the game with about 5 to play in the first, but Plymouth converted on one of their few chances of the period to tie things at 1-1 after 1. The second was much more evenly matched, but it was very sloppy. Passes were going wild for both teams and there were a number of stoppages for icing or offsides, slowing the pace to a crawl. The Militia popped home a rebound to take their first lead of the game, up 2-1 with 20 minutes to play. Plymouth gave themselves an insurance goal just over a minute into the game, extending their lead to 2. Nanne was able to create some space for himself, ripping a shot into the top corner of the net to get the Cake Eaters back to within one. Despite their best efforts, Edina just wasn't able to get it done, falling to Plymouth by a final score of 3-1.

Cottage Grove Yellow Jackets vs Menomonie Sawyers
A couple of St. Croix Hockey League foes going at it to keep their seasons alive. As most had expected, the second place finishers from Cottage Grove were just the better hockey team, controlling play and finding the back of the net 4 times in the first period to all but bury the Sawyers before they had a chance. To Menomonie's credit, they didn't go quietly, chipping away at the Jackets lead slowly. Unfortunately for the boys in green, the Yellow Jackets were also able to keep their offense cooking, scoring one more in both the second and third for a total of 6 to Menomonie's 3. 

Mounds View Gunners vs Eau Claire Rubber Kings
The Gunners and Kings have a bit of history between them, having played one another in the East Metro Hockey League from 1974-78. Both teams have shown in recent years that they are capable of being competitive, but once playoffs begin it is a tale of two very different teams. Mounds View has only made the playoffs twice, but they have a total record of 5-2 compared to Eau Claire who was 0-4 all time in the playoffs coming in. It was clear early on that this was going to be a physical contest as neither team had any real skill players to lean on. With the similar play styles, this one was close for all 60 minutes, so close that we had to go to overtime with the score tied 1-1. Six minutes had passed as a Rubber King defenseman mishandled the puck at the point, getting it poked free by a Gunner who was all alone on a breakaway. He faked a shot, dropping the goalkeeper, and pulled it out to his forehand, tucking it around the flailing keeper and into the net to send Mounds View to the next round with a 2-1 win.

Bloomington West Terriers vs Coon Rapids Bandits
It's a rematch of last years Knockout Round which saw the Terriers take down the Bandits 3-1 at home. West has home ice yet again, but the sting of defeat is still fresh in the minds of the Coon Rapids players so this one should be interesting. It got off to a slow start with only 6 combined shots in the first 10 minutes, but once the visiting Bandits got on the scoreboard, the floodgates opened up. Both teams were just competing in a game of back and forth of who can score the most. The Terriers were not able to ever take the lead during the game, but they tied it up a couple of times with Coon Rapids just managing to find a way to slide back into the lead. When the final horn sounded it was 5-4 in favor of the visitors. Bandits swarmed their goalie in celebration, Coon Rapids has avenged their Knockout Round loss from a year ago, knocking out Bloomington West and advancing.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

I echo the YOWIE WOWIE! Unbelievable times we live in, huh?

1981 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: First Round - North


Warroad Lakers vs Silver Bay Beavers
The top ranked team in the MAHL made their presence felt early, scoring 3 goals in the opening period to put themselves comfortably in the drivers seat. Silver Bay was able to get one goal in both the second and third, but the Lakers also converted twice more to keep their lead. The final horn sounded to send Warroad to the second round with a 5-2 win over Silver Bay.

Roseau Stars vs Grand Forks Jets
The hype for this ranked matchup between #15 Roseau and #18 Grand Forks was off the charts and it was no surprise to see the Green Army show up in support of their Stars, filling Roseau Memorial Arena before the teams even took the ice for warmups. Roseau seemed as though they were on a powerplay the entire game, fueled by the crazy atmosphere in the arena, and before long they found themselves in the lead. The Stars scored two in the second and one more in the third while keeping the Jets at bay and out of scoring areas. The game finally came to an end with Roseau up 3-0, advancing to the second round with a convincing win over a ranked opponent in Grand Forks.

Fort Frances Trappers vs Fergus Falls Cyclones
The Trappers are the team to beat in their section this year and they showed why in game one, outshooting Fergus Falls 42-13 and beating them 4-1. The Cyclones were bailed out by their goaltender on numerous occasions, preventing what could have very easily been a blowout for Fort Frances.

Thunder Bay Giants vs Superior Lakers
It's a Lake Superior Hockey League rivalry in the playoffs as Thunder Bay welcomes their long time foes from Superior for their 10th all-time playoff meeting, their first since 1972. The puck was dropped and we were underway in what turned out to be a classic. Things were rough early on, but the Giants found the back of the net just past the halfway point of the first to take the lead. Superior would tie the game in the second, but Thunder Bay converted on a powerplay chance in the final minute of the period to regain their 1 goal lead up 2-1 after 2. Superior would not go away, getting shots on net until a rebound finally popped into the slot and was smacked home to tie the game at two apiece. Neither side could break the stalemate in regulation so overtime was needed. A little past the 3 minute mark of OT Superior intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and were in 3 on 1. The puck carrier went wide and saucered a pass over the stick of the defenseman to his teammate on the far hash who one timed it into the back of the net to send the Superior Lakers to the second round with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win over their rivals from Thunder Bay. With this win the Lakers tie the Giants 5-5 in their all-time playoff meetings.


East Grand Forks Pointers vs Chisholm Flames
UPSET ALERT! The number three ranked team in all of the MAHL, East Grand Forks, has fallen in the first round of the playoffs to the Chisholm Flames by a final score of 3-2. Nobody expected the unranked Flames to stand a chance against the feared offense of the Pointers, led by defending Tschida Trophy winner Henry Mack. Yet Chisholm was not only able to stick with EGF, they were pushing the pace. East Grand Forks was able to score twice, but Chisholm did an incredible job of helping their goaltender see shots and keeping the shots from outside the slot. The Flames definitely owe a lot of thanks for this win to their goalie who stopped a whopping 39 shots, keeping his team in the game. The rest was up to the offense who also came ready to play. The Flames stuck with the Pointers on the board all game until they finally took a 3-2 lead with 7:52 left to play. That would prove to be the deciding goal as Chisholm holds on to complete the incredible upset, knocking off #3 East Grand Forks 3-2.

Mountain Iron Cougars vs Winnipeg Monarchs
This was just a case of one team showing up to play, and one team not. Winnipeg looked solid all around, whereas the #12 Mountain Iron Cougars looked slow and sloppy. The Monarchs were more than willing to expose the mistakes the Cougars made, converting on a couple of turnovers on their way to a 3-0 shutout win on the road.

Coleraine Trout vs St. Cloud Bearcats
UPSET ALERT! Absolute chaos in the North Region as the #5 Coleraine Trout are also upset in the first round of the 1981 Kellogg Cup Playoffs. The Trout were stunned when the Bearcats jumped out to a 2 goal lead after the first, outshooting the Brookies 12-5 in the first 20 minutes of play. Coleraine popped one home on the powerplay to give themselves a bit of life, but a shot through a screen gave the Bearcats back their two goal lead near the end of the second. The Trout were in unfamiliar territory with all of the pressure on their shoulders, but they were able to come out and score early to make it a one goal game once again. St. Cloud tightened up defensively after the goal and it seemed to work as the Trout totaled only 6 more shots for the rest of the game, all being denied by the Bearcat goalie. The Cats put one in the empty net in the final minute of the game to make it official, St. Cloud advances with a 4-2 upset win over #5 Coleraine.

Brainerd Lumberjacks vs Grand Rapids Moose
This was a high paced, back and forth game that was very entertaining for the 2,000+ on hand at Brainerd Civic Arena. Even better for those fans was the result which saw the hometown Lumberjacks take down the Moose 5-3. It was a very even match that could have honestly gone either way, but it was the Jacks who were victorious on the night, advancing to the second round.

Any time Superior can knock off Thunder Bay, it's a good time. One more upset before we can play a playoff game in the United States.

More Predictions

West St. Paul over Plymouth
The Waves overtake the Militia

Mounds View over Roseville
Upset Alert! The Gunners outgun the Rockets

Richfield over Coon Rapids
The Roosters dominate the Bandits

Twin Cities over Cottage Grove
The Vulcans continue to exorcise the demons of St Anthony

Anoka over Brooklyn Park
The Warriors continue to exert their domination over the North Metro

Minneapolis over Maplewood
The Millers have a flashback performance to last year

White Bear Lake over Falcon Heights
The Braves edge out the Falcons

Hastings over St. Louis Park
The Rivermen remain the only St Croix team to win a first Round game