1981 Kellogg Cup Super Series Playdowns


Brookings Buffaloes vs Burnsville Bucks
The opening game of the 1981 Super Series was a battle between a couple South Region teams who both won their respective leagues, Brookings the Southwest and Burnsville the South Metro. It was a very even contest right form the get go, and it remained scoreless through the first 40 minutes of play. It wasn't until the third period that the Buffaloes were able to get a one timer past the Bucks goalie to take a 1-0 lead. It was back and forth for the remainder of the game with shots ending tied 29-29, but that one goal would be enough to carry Brookings to the Great Eight as their goaltender completes the shut out. Brookings advances, ending Burnsville's season with a 1-0 win.

Twin Cities Vulcans vs Chisholm Flames
It was a long trek to St. Paul for the Flames, but that didn't seem to slow them down as they came out flying and netted a goal a little over 3 minutes into the game. The Vulcans converted on the man advantage to tie the score at once apiece after 1. The Vulcans began to take over midway through the game as they pinned the Flames in their zone for minutes on end. The Flames were getting gassed by the end of the period and the Vulcans capitalized on this, scoring twice late in the period to take a 3-1 lead into the third. Chisholm caught their breath between periods and were able to beat the Twin Cities goalie with a tip in front to make it a one goal game. Chisholm was forced to pull their goalie late in the game still trailing, and the Vulcans were able to capitalize on the empty net, securing the 4-2 victory to advance to the Great Eight. Chisholm's run has come to an end, but this group of Flames has done something that no other has been able to, carrying the Iron Range town of under 6,000 to the Super Series.

Maplewood Retrievers vs Superior Lakers
They say that the most important piece of a championship team is having a hot goalie... well if that's the case then everyone better watch out for the Superior Lakers. Arthur Nelson has been a man possessed these playoffs, carrying the Lakers past Thunder Bay and Fort Frances to get here, and it didn't stop there. The lights shine brightest in the Super Series and Nelson was thriving in the spotlight. Maplewood was arguably the better team on the night, outshooting the Lakers 31-28, but that doesn't matter if you can't score. The Goldies were snake bit, running into a goalie playing the best hockey of his life. Nothing was getting past Nelson tonight as he stopped all 31 shots to carry Superior to a 2-0 victory and a Great Eight appearance. It is a tough end of the year for Maplewood, but they are a younger group and have a bright future ahead of them, they'll be back.

Brainerd Lumberjacks vs Austin Mavericks
The final game of the night was between a couple familiar faces in Brainerd and Austin. It was slow to start, but before long the Mavericks began to buzz in the offensive zone. The Lumberjack goal was peppered with shots until one finally snuck through to put the Mavs up by one. Austin smelt blood in the water and their momentum allowed them to take complete control of play for the back half of the first. Brainerd was helpless as the Mavericks jumped out to a 3-0 lead after 1. Brainerd scored early in the second which would be the only goal of the period, making it 3-1 Austin with 20 minutes to play. A tripping penalty gave the Mavericks a powerplay chance that they converted on to regain a 3 goal lead and from there the writing was on the wall. The Jacks were able to pull themselves a bit closer on a snipe from the slot, but it would be too little too late as Austin holds on to advance with a 4-2 win.

Great Eight Predictions

Warroad over Brookings
The Buffaloes come up just short in their attempt to be the first South Dakotan team in the semis

West St Paul over Superior
The Waves sink the Lakers

Austin over Roseville
The Mavericks look to make another Cinderella run

Twin Cities over Mankato
The Vulcans continue their non-St Anthony success

sportsfan7 wrote:

Great Eight Predictions

Warroad over Brookings
The Buffaloes come up just short in their attempt to be the first South Dakotan team in the semis

West St Paul over Superior
The Waves sink the Lakers

Austin over Roseville
The Mavericks look to make another Cinderella run

Twin Cities over Mankato
The Vulcans continue their non-St Anthony success

I always love hearing your predictions, I don't think I've ever mentioned it outright but just thought I'd let you know

One little thing though, technically if Brookings wins and advances they will be the second team from SD to make the Semis with Sioux Falls doing it back in 1972 on their way to a Kellogg Cup loss to the St. Paul Victorias.

1981 Kellogg Cup Great Eight


Warroad Lakers vs Brookings Buffaloes
It was all Warroad in the first, but Brookings was somehow able to escape without allowing a goal against despite giving up 14 shots in 20 minutes. The Lakers finally broke through late in the second, ending the period up -0 and leading in shots 27-6. A powerplay goal put the Lakers up by two and it was all over from there as Warroad just played keep away in the offensive zone, winding down the clock until the final horn rang. Warroad advances with a dominant performance over Brookings, shutting them out 2-0.

Mankato Moose vs Twin Cities Vulcans
This was the one everyone was talking about heading into day two of the Super Series, and boy did it live up to the hype. The Moose and Vulcans were flying up and down the ice with scoring chances, slowly but steadily climbing up the scoreboard. By the end of regulation we were tied 5-5 in what may have been one of the fastest 60 minutes of play in Super Series history with nearly no stoppages aside from the occasional goal or covered puck. Fans of both teams cheered for their teams as they returned to the ice for overtime. "Lets Go Moose" chants answered with "Lets Go Vulcans" rang out as the puck was dropped and we were underway. Mankato had a golden opportunity hit the post a few minutes in and it would come back to haunt them as the Vulcans intercepted a breakout pass and turned it into a scoring chance that led to a rebound being put home to send the Twin Cities Vulcans to the Semi Finals.

West St. Paul Waves vs Superior Lakers
The Nelson show continues as Superior shuts down the feared West St. Paul Wave forward core for a full 60 minutes. Arthur Nelson was once again a man possessed, stopping all 34 shots he faced, including a highlight real diving glove save to rob a Wave forward late in the second. With how much the media has talked about Nelson, many seem to be forgetting that the Lakers are a damn good hockey team, finishing in second in the Lake Superior Hockey League. The Lakers were able to convert on two of their 28 shots which would be more than enough. West St. Paul sat in a stunned silence on the bench after the final horn, yet another missed chance at the Cup. Superior on the other hand were exuberant as they mobbed their goaltender in celebration., the Lakers advance with a 2-0 shutout win over West St. Paul.

Roseville Rockets vs Austin Mavericks
You couldn't hope for a better start than what the Rockets got, capitalizing on their very first shot of the game. The Austin goalie seemed to settle in a bit after the early goal, stopping the rest he faced in the first. Roseville had a 5 on 3 chance midway through the second that they converted on to extend their lead to 2. Austin would make the Rockets pay for a bad line change, sending a man in on a breakaway that would give them some life late heading into the third now only down 2-1. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, the momentum from their late goal didn't really translate into the new period as Roseville came out flying and scored 4:22 in to get back their 2 goal lead. A great shot from the top of the circle would make it a 3 goal game and the writing was on the wall. That would prove to be the final goal of the game, sending Roseville to the Semi Finals with a 4-1 win.

I predict a Laker Battle in the final

Last edited by Kingsfan11 (12/02/2020 8:16 pm)