1982 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: First Round - Twin Cities

#2 St. Paul Victorias vs Minnetonka Muskies
It was all V's in this one. The boys in blue were able to shut out the visitors from Minnetonka with a resounding 6-0 victory. Parker had a night to remember for St. Paul, netting himself a hat trick and an assist as well as being a +5 on the night.

Eau Claire Rubber Kings vs White Bear Lake Braves
Hobbs Municipal Ice Center was rocking was the teams took the ice for this evenly matched battle. The Kings got on the board first, slipping one past the Brave goalie five-hole late in the first. White Bear answered back midway through the second to tie the game at one. Eau Claire drew a couple powerplays in quick succession and after failing on their first attempt, were able to convert on the second chance late in the period to lead 2-1 heading into the third. A shot through a screen would push the Rubber Kings lead to two a few minutes into the third. White Bear was able to pickpocket a King defenseman in the offensive zone, passing it to a man all alone in the slot to make it a one goal game down 3-2. The Braves poured it on for the next few minutes but Eau Claire was able to hold on until White Bear pulled their goalie which led to the final goal of the game to clinch the win for Eau Claire. The final horn sounded and the 1,500+ in attendance erupted as the Rubber Kings swarmed their goalie, winning their first playoff game in team history by a final score of 4-2.

#10 Twin Cities Vulcans vs Cottage Grove Yellow Jackets
UPSET ALERT! The Twin Cities Vulcans have been stunned in the first round of the playoffs, falling to 13 seed Cottage Grove by a score of 3-1. The Vulcans were the better team in the first period, scoring early, but the Jackets were bailed out by their goalie a handful of times to keep it a one goal game. Cottage Grove caught the Vulcans in a line change and were able to bury a 2 on 1 to tie the game 1-1. The Vulcans were penalized twice in 32 seconds to give the Jackets a long 5 on 3 powerplay chance. Twin Cities won the draw and iced the puck, Cottage Grove went back to retrieve it. The Jackets set up in the offensive zone again and fired a quick one timer that was stopped, but a rebound popped out to the far dot. A Yellow Jacket winger was quick to get the rebound and fire it on net, beating the goalie and giving Cottage Grove a 2-1 lead. The Jackets won the draw and set up on the powerplay once again. It was sent down low and then quickly to the slot for a one timer that beat the goalie over the shoulder. Just like that Cottage Grove jumped out to a two goal lead that they managed to hold onto, completing the upset over the Twin Cities Vulcans.

#15 Brooklyn Park Panthers vs Maplewood Retrievers
Although there was no scoring in the first, the pace and tempo were definitely high. That continued into the second which was again scoreless. Finally the Retrievers were able to get on the board 1:40 into the third, which opened the floodgates. Brooklyn Park answered back with a goal on their next shot and another 5 minutes later. Maplewood tied it at two on a rocket from the point with 6 minutes left and it was looking like we might have overtime on our hands. That was, until the Panthers were able to get a man behind the Retriever defenders for a breakaway that he ripped past the Maplewood goaltender with 1:02 left in regulation. The Northland Community Arena roof nearly blew off with how loud the crowd was after the go ahead goal. Maplewood wasn't able to get anything going in the final minute with Brooklyn Park controlling the puck for most of the span. The final horn sounded to confirm it, BP advances with a thrilling 3-2 win over Maplewood.


#6 Bloomington West Terriers vs Falcon Heights Raptors
West was just the better hockey team in this one, outshooting Falcon Heights 37-22 and controlling play for the vast majority of the game. To be fair to the Raptors, they played a hell of a game. The Terrible Terriers are considered one of the favorites to win it all this year for good reason, and the Raptors stuck right with them for most of the game, falling just short in the end. Bloomington West advances to the section final with a 4-2 win.

#23 Edina Cake Eaters vs West St. Paul Waves
The Hornets Nest was buzzing for a home Cake Eater playoff game after missing out last year. It seemed the players also felt good being back, coming out of the gate flying with two goals in the first five minutes of the game, one from new team captain Cole Nanne. The Waves would get a 3 on 1 break in the third to get on the board, but a Cake Eater deflection would get it right back to give Edina a 3-1 lead heading into the third. A pass from the corner that was intended for the slot took a deflection off a WSP defenseman's skate and bounced on net. The goalie wasn't quick enough to stop the redirect and it wound up in the back of the net, putting Edina in a commanding 4-1 lead. West St. Paul would have no further luck on offense, falling to Edina by a final score of 4-1.

#8 Roseville Rockets vs Coon Rapids Bandits
UPSET ALERT! The Rockets just couldn't get any fuel for their offense in this one, missing open chances, making sloppy passes, and turning the puck over way too much. The Bandits may not be ranked, but they are a good enough hockey team to make you pay for these kinds of errors, and that's exactly what they did. Both of the Bandits goals came off of Roseville turnovers, honestly living up to their name as the Bandits. Roseville just could not find the back of the net to save their lives, ultimately falling by a final score of 2-0.

#17 Richfield Roosters vs Anoka Warriors
There was a lot off buzz about this one heading into it and boy did it match the billing. This was touted as the most even matchup in the Twin Cities by many, and it was only fitting that the Roosters and Warriors would find themselves deadlocked 2-2 at the end of regulation. The puck was dropped and overtime was underway at Richfield Ice Arena with over 1,300 fans on the edge of their seats. Over 10 minutes had passed and still no winner. Richfield picked up the puck in their own end and went down on the attack. The winger with the puck curled back at the hashmark and passed it to his d man who blasted it through a screen and into the back of the net. As the netting puffed out in the back, the arena exploded with cheering and Roosters flocked over the boards to celebrate with their teammate. Anoka players sad on the bench in dejection, falling in overtime 3-2 to Richfield.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Coon Rapids Trash Pandas Lets Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

Second Round Preview - South


#14 Austin Mavericks vs Willmar Posse
The Mavericks are coming off a close win, so I would expect them to come out hard in this one to make a point that they are legitimate contenders. Willmar has turned heads all season long, but the big question is if they have what it takes to reach the Super Series. Will Austin push their Super Series streak to 6 straight years? Or will the Posse keep their season going and ride to Bloomington?

Brookings Buffaloes vs Inver Grove Heights Lions
The Buffs are a solid team, but they're getting up there in age, this might be one of their last shots at a Cup with this group so a lot rides on this game. Inver Grove is still young and will be riding a wave of momentum after a big win against Burnsville. Will Brookings trample the Lions? Or will IGH pull off the upset and make their second trip to the Show?

#16 New Ulm Bavarians vs Mason City Musicians
It's a Blue Earth showdown here between the league champion New Ulm Bavarians and the Mason City Musicians. New Ulm looked rock solid in the first round, especially on the defensive side of things, they'll need to keep that going if they want to end their 7 year Super Series drought. Mason City is coming off a big upset against the Mustangs, so they'll have a bit of momentum heading into the game. Will the Diamonds get another chance to shine in the Super Series with a win? Or will Mason City be making their first trip to Bloomington?

Mankato Moose vs Winona Wildcats
For the third time in the last four years, Mankato and Winona will face off in the second round. Mankato has won the first two battles 4-1 and 6-3, but Winona is hoping to finally get past them and to the Super Series for the first time. Will Mankato continue to be Winona's boogeyman and reach their 4th Super Series in the last 6 years? Or will Winona finally exercise their playoff demons and reach the promised land for the first time in the teams 32 year history?

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Ah, my poor Oaks. Maybe next year.

Superior Telegram Sports Report
After some incredible games, the Twin Cities and South Playoffs are ready to see who can punch their tickets to the Super Series. We'll start in the Twin Cities.

St. Paul Victorias vs Eau Claire Rubber Kings
How they got here:
St. Paul: second round over Minnetonka
Eau Claire: second round over White Bear Lake
St. Paul is a really good team, and they proved it against the Muskies. Meanwhile, the Rubber Kings took down a solid Braves team at home. Unfortunately, the last Wisconsin team left gets a date with the #2 ranked team in the MAHL, St. Paul, on the road. I'm pulling for the Rubber Kings in Wisconsin solidarity, but I don't see them getting the win.
Prediction: St. Paul 4-1

Brooklyn Park Panthers vs Cottage Grove Yellow Jackets
How they got here:
Brooklyn Park: second round over Maplewood
Cottage Grove: second round over Twin Cities, first round over River Falls
The Yellow Jackets are coming off a big upset win over the Vulcans, but it doesn't get any easier. The Panthers wait for the Jackets to come into their arena, and it feels like the Panthers year. However, the Yellow Jackets offense is clicking right now, putting up 9 goals in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Look for a high scoring, close game in this one.
Prediction: Brooklyn Park 5-4

Bloomington West Terriers vs Edina Cake Eaters
How they got here:
Bloomington West: second round over Falcon Heights
Edina: second round over West St. Paul
Here's the game to watch. The Cake Eaters and the Terriers know each other well, with the Terriers looking for their first trip to the Super Series in a decade, and the Cake Eaters looking for another run at a championship.
Prediction: Edina 2-1

Richfield Roosters vs Coon Rapids Bandits
How they got here:
Richfield: second round over Anoka
Coon Rapids: second round over Roseville, first round over Stillwater
The Bandits are flying high, cruising to two big wins and playing great hockey. The Roosters are likely a bit underrated, and looking to get back to the Super Series. This one doesn't seem as close though, as the Roosters are a good, complete team. As long as the puck doesn't take any funny bounces, the Roosters come away with the win.
Prediction: Richfield 3-1

And now, let's look at the South. With three BIG upsets, it seems like the higher seeded teams will have the advantage in all four. Let's look closer.

Austin Mavericks vs Willmar Posse
How they got here:
Austin: over Le Seuer
Willmar: over Eagan
Together, they eliminated the teams wearing green, and now face off in Austin. With only two Top 25 MAHL ranked teams left, the Mavericks are going to be on high alert to avoid the upset, and they're going to have to stave off the Posse. Willmar has come into the league and surprised a lot of people. I think the Posse keep this one close, and continue to surprise a lot of people, but they won't have enough in Austin.
Prediction: Austin 4-3

Brookings Buffaloes vs Inver Grove Heights Lions
How they got here:
Brookings: over Red Wing
Inver Grove Heights: over Burnsville
The Lions are coming off a big upset, as their young team took down the Bucks on the road. They follow that up with a trip to Brookings, and face a very solid, but aging, Buffaloes team. I like the young guys in this one, and see them just winning on the stamina in their younger legs.
Prediction: Inver Grove Heights 2-0

New Ulm Bavarians vs Mason City Musicians
How they got here:
New Ulm: over Apple Valley
Mason City: over Rochester (Mustangs)
New Ulm is riding high, ranked 16th in the MAHL, and are riding some of the best defense in the South to a throttling of the Cardinals. Mason City plays really well, nothing too great, but, most importantly, avoids mistakes. This should be a low-scoring, well-played affair.
Prediction: New Ulm 1-0

Mankato Moose vs Winona Wildcats
How they got here:
Mankato: over Hutchinson
Winona: over Sioux Falls
Winona is the trendy pick following their demolition of the Packers, but the Moose are going to come out ready to play. Expect both teams to come out scoring, as both teams are putting the puck into the net. This one is going to be a high-scoring game, and I'm predicting overtime.
Prediction: Mankato 5-4