TC North Predictions

Sauk Rapids over Fridley

Maplewood over Coon Rapids

White Bear Lake over Blaine

Anoka over Brooklyn Center

Fergus Falls over Mounds View

St Cloud over Roseville

Mora over Stillwater

Brooklyn Park over Lino Lakes

1984 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: First Round - Twin Cities North


#7 Sauk Rapids Bulldogs vs Fridley Foxes
We had a marathon outdoors in Sauk Rapids as the Bulldogs welcomed the Foxes of Fridley in what turned into a triple overtime thriller. It was a goalie duel throughout, with the netminders one upping each other with highlight real save after the next. At the end of regulation we were tied at one, Fridley getting the first goal of the game in the second and Sauk Rapids tying it in the final minute of the second. We went to overtime and the pace remained high, but the goalies remained hot. It wasn't until 13:52 into the third overtime period that a rebound popped loose into the slot and was slapped into the back of the net by a Bulldog forward to send Sauk Rapids to the second round with a 2-1 win over Fridley.

Lino Lakes Herons vs Brooklyn Park Panthers
The Herons were able to duplicate their first round success from a year ago, defending their home ice and holding off the Panthers to advance. Lino Lakes scored first and made it a 2-0 game after 1. BP got on the board in the second, but a powerplay goal early in the third put the Herons back up by two. Great Blue would hold on, knocking out Brooklyn Park by a final score of 3-1.

#17 Anoka Warriors vs Brooklyn Center Catamounts
UPSET ALERT! Brooklyn Center has taken down the North Metro Hockey League Champions on the road, winning their first playoff game in team history. Anoka just couldn't get going on the offensive side of things, BC clearly using their experience against their league foe to know how to shut them down. The Catamounts popped home two goals in the third, propelling them into the lead and sending them to the second round with a 2-0 victory over Anoka.

Fergus Falls Cyclones vs Mounds View Gunners
Fergus Falls was looking to make a point in this one, coming off an embarrassing 6-0 loss in the first round a year ago. The Cyclones were hungry in the corners and it led to offensive zone turnovers that led to goals. The Clones put up 2 in the first and another in the second before the Gunners finally found the back of the net. Fergus Falls scored on two powerplay chances in the third to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Mounds View was able to pop home a rebound late for their second of the game, but it was too little too late as Fergus Falls advances with a 5-2 win.


#8 Maplewood Retrievers vs Coon Rapids Bandits
UPSET ALERT! Down go the Goldies! Coon Rapids managed to pull off an incredible come from behind upset in one of the toughest places to play in all of the MAHL, against the 8th ranked team in the league. Maplewood was the better team in this game, don't get things mistaken. The Bandits were bailed out a handful of times by their goaltender who made some incredible saves to prevent the Retrievers from running away with it. Maplewood was up 2-0 after two, outshooting Coon Rapids 26-19 and dominating control of play. Then came the third and the Bandits comeback. Coon Rapids got a powerplay chance early in the period that they converted on to make it a one goal game. They tied it up on a 2 on 1 chance with 8 minutes left in the game, and you could see the difference between the teams on the benches. The Bandits were buzzing after tying it up, and only 56 seconds later beat the Retriever goalie blocker side. Coon Rapids went into a defensive shell for the rest of the game, dumping the puck every chance they got to kill the clock. It worked as the Goldies were unable to comeback, Coon Rapids advances with a miraculous 3-2 comeback win on the road.

Mora Dalecarlians vs Stillwater Volunteers
Mora Ice Arena was packed like Sardines as the puck was dropped for the first ever playoff game in Dalas history. It was a high paced game with both teams showing their offensive talent and skill. At the end of 60 minutes we were tied at three, sending us to overtime. Early on in overtime, Stillwater drew a powerplay chance on a controversial tripping call. Mora's bench was fuming, claiming the Volunteer took a dive to draw the call. Stillwater set up after winning the faceoff in the offensive end, working it around the zone. A defenseman carried it along the blueline before dishing it to his winger who was breaking towards the middle. He caught the pass and took it to the top of the circle before ripping a shot off the inside of the post and in. Stillwater advances, knocking out Mora in overtime by a score of 4-3.

#15 Blaine Spartans vs White Bear Lake Braves
White Bear Lake put up a much better fight than most expected, even outshooting the 15th ranked team in the MAHL 33-30. Blaine was just able to capitalize on the opportunities given to them, finding the back of the net four times to the Braves two. It was a great hockey game for the 800+ in attendance as they got to watch their Spartans move on to the second round with a 4-2 victory over White Bear Lake.

Roseville Rockets vs St. Cloud Bearcats
If you're a fan of defensive hockey, this is the game for you. Both teams were playing ultra cautious, not wanting to give the other anything to work with in their own zone. St. Cloud broke the deadlock on a shot through a screen late in the first. The Bearcats would hold that lead for the remainder of the game, adding to it in the third with a two man advantage. Add this to the growing list of playoff disappointments for the Roseville Rockets who got shut out at home to bring their season to an end. St. Cloud moves on, shutting out Roseville 2-0.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

1984 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: First Round - Twin Cities South


#2 Minneapolis Millers vs Eden Prairie Pumas
The Mighty Millers flexed their offensive muscles in this one, lighting the lamp a whopping seven times to bury the playoff newbies from EP. The Pumas were able to get a pair of goals, but it was a moot point as Minneapolis ran away with it, advancing with a 7-2 victory.

Apple Valley Cardinals vs Shakopee Six
This one started off looking like anyone's game, tied 2-2 after an explosive first period. The second was more defensive, but just as close. Then the Cards took the lead on a snipe from the dot with 1:29 left in the period, sending them to the third with all the momentum and a reinvigorated hometown crowd. Apple Valley pushed their lead to two 4 minutes in, beating the goalie to the post on a wrap around. The Cardinals weren't done there, scoring again with just over seven minutes left to play to make it a 5-2 game. That would prove to be the final score as Apple Valley moves on, knocking out their former South Metro foes from Shakopee.

#14 Eagan Oaks vs Richfield Roosters
Eagan Civic Arena was filled to capacity as the hometown Oaks took on the Richfield Roosters. Eagan struck first, but Richfield would tie it before the end of the first. The Oaks jumped out in front again, but the Roosters tied it back up at 2-2 only 37 second later. Eagan would not back down though, capitalizing on a powerplay chance to take their third lead of the game, up 3-2 after 2. The third period was back and forth, but both goalies stood their ground, keeping the score as it was. Richfield was forced to pull their goalie in the final minute which allowed the Oaks to convert after taking control of the puck, clinching the win by a score of 4-2.

#18 Mound Marauders vs St. Anthony Trojans
The first period was a bit of a feeling out process with little of note to talk about. St. Anthony opened the scoring on a one timer in the second, but the Marauders came marching back to tie it up before the end of the frame. Mound came out swinging in the third, firing everything on net and creating rebounds. The Bucs buried two such rebounds to put them up 3-1, a lead that they would hold onto to advance to the second round.


#6 St. Louis Park Louies vs Inver Grove Heights Lions
The St. Louis Park Rec Center was filled with over 2,000 fans as the Louies took the ice to take on the Lions. The Blues found the back of the net early, sending the crowd into mayhem. St. Louis Park was able to feed off the energy and dominated play for the next several minutes. A shot from the point took a bounce off an Inver Grove defender and ricocheted into the back of the net to put the Louies up 2-0. St. Louis Park held that two goal lead until 11:50 of the third period when IGH finally put one past the Louies netminder. It would not be enough though as St. Louis Park holds on to advance with a 2-1 win.

South St. Paul Mavericks vs Burnsville Bucks
South St. Paul was a team looking to make a point, frustrated by not getting ranked. The Mavericks put on a show for those in attendance at Wakota Arena, lighting the lamp 6 times while holding Burnsville to only 19 shots on goal for the game. SSP advances to the second round, ending the Bucks season by a score of 6-1.

#13 St. Paul Victorias vs Bloomington West Terriers
The St. Paul Auditorium was sold out as the V's took on the Terriers for the first time in the playoffs since 1972. St. Paul buried two in the first to put themselves in the drivers seat, but the Terriers pulled to within one on a breakaway in the second. West was really pushing the third with their backs to the wall. They took some risks that worked, but were denied by the V's goaltender. The Terriers pulled their goalie which came back to bite them with St. Paul taking control and dumping it into the empty cage to secure the 3-1 victory.

#21 Edina Cake Eaters vs Minnetonka Muskies
Although they may not be in the same league anymore, you wouldn't know it from how much both teams, and fanbases, hate each other. Definitely one of, if not the, fiercest non-league rivalries in the MAHL facing each other in the post season for the second year in a row. The game was everything you could have hoped for as a fan with the teams going at each other all game long. It was a fast paced game despite the amount of physicality, with both teams getting some good looks on offense. We were tied at two as the final horn sounded for regulation, sending us to overtime at Braemar Arena. The Hornets Nest was buzzing as the puck was dropped for overtime, and the play on the ice remained high tempo and high hitting despite the upped stakes. Minnetonka broke out of their zone and went in 3 on 2. A winger slipped below the defensemen and caught a pass off the boards, going in all alone on goal. Rather than shoot though, he pulled up and slid the puck through the top of the crease to his teammate on the far side who one time tapped it into the net, past the floundering Cake Eater netminder. The Muskies move on, avenging their Super 16 loss from a year ago with a 3-2 win in overtime.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Tonka was the Robespierre to the Edina Marie Antoinettes. Always good to see the Cake Eaters fall.

Now that my Diamonds are out, the question must be asked: are the (Mankato) Moose loose? This and more as the playoffs progress.