1985 Kellogg Cup Super Series - Super 16


#1 St. Paul Victorias vs Mora Dalecarlians
The 1985 Kellogg Cup Super Series was kicked off with the hometown V's taking on the Dalas of Mora. The Super Series newcomers didn't let the bright lights of the St. Paul Civic Center get to their heads though as they came out playing solid hockey and even got on the board first. The V's would get it back plus another though to take a 2-1 lead after one period. Neither side scored in the second, but St. Paul was quick on the board in the third to give themselves a two goal cushion. The Dalas weren't out of it just yet though, sticking with the V's and even pulling to within one with under 5 minutes to play. Mora just didn't have quite enough to tie it up and force overtime, falling to the top ranked Victorias by a score of 3-2.

#16 Burnsville Bucks vs #20 Alexandria Norsemen
This was just one of those games where everything went right for one team, and wrong for the other. Alexandria was actually the better team for the majority of the game, but you wouldn't be able to tell that from the score. Don't get me wrong, the Bucks played a great hockey game, but they were the benefactors of numerous lucky bounces that helped propel them to a lead that the Norsemen failed to overcome. When the final horn sounded it was Burnsville 5, Alexandria 2 to send to Bucks to the Great Eight for the first time in team history.

#7 Fargo Titans vs Anoka Warriors
Anoka made a point to put everything on net, thus explaining how they outshot the Titans 27-26 despite playing on their heels for most of the game. The game plan was working through one period of play, tied at one after twenty minutes, but Fargo slowly but surely poked holes in the Warrior defense to light the lamp. The Titans netted a pair of goals in both the second and third while holding Anoka to only one more in the second. The Fargo Titans move on, making easy work of Anoka with a 5-2 victory.

#9 Rochester Mustangs vs Mankato Moose
This was a game that both towns will remember for years to come, a true classic between two South Region powerhouses. It was an incredibly physical game, with most of the action coming along the sidewalls and in the neutral zone. Rochester was able to get on the board late in the first to take a lead and some momentum into the locker room. The late goal also seemed to light a fire under the Moose who came out for the second and really came to life. Mankato dominated puck control for the period and after keeping some Mustangs on the ice for nearly 3 minutes, were able to beat the goalie with a shot from the high slot to tie the score 1-1. The physical play persisted through the third, but there was a bit of offense late as Rochester got a powerplay chance with just over 5 minutes left in regulation. The Stang powerplay unit was able to get it done, scoring a massive go ahead goal in the waning minutes of play. It appeared that all hope was lost for Mankato, but despite all the odds they had one last trick up their sleeves. With their goalie pulled, the clock ticked to the final ten seconds of play as they entered the Rochester zone. They pass it to the point where they take a shot from far out, just putting it on net. The save it made, but there is a Moose sitting right in front ready for the rebound. The Mustang goalie dove but was too slow as the puck crossed the line with 1.4 seconds left, tying the score at two. After the late game heroics overtime was needed in St. Paul. It didn't take long to decide a winner once play got back underway though. Rochester won the center ice draw and went on the attack right away. The winger with the puck took a step towards the middle after getting to the top of the circle. He ripped a shot that rang off the far post, getting a loud reaction from the crowd. The puck rebounded off the post and into the goalies butt where it bounced off and across the goal line. The red light went off and Rochester players flung themselves over the boards, just seconds into overtime Rochester wins it to advance to the Great Eight!


#2 International Falls Ice vs Brookings Buffaloes
Shooting yourself in the foot. That is the best way to describe this hockey game when talking about Brookings. The Buffaloes just couldn't stop the never ending march to the penalty box in this one, giving the always dangerous Ice powerplay unit an insane 10 opportunities for the night (they were able to score on 3 out of 10). For what it's worth, the Buffs were able to stick with International Falls when at even strength with both teams scoring twice in 5 on 5 play. It was going to be a tough task to top the second ranked Ice from the beginning, it's nearly impossible when you take as many penalties as they did. When the final horn sounded International Falls sat comfortably in front by a score of 5-2.

#11 Maplewood Retrievers vs #25 Minneapolis Millers
This was a great hockey game, both teams were playing at the top of their level and it was anyone's game. It was a chippy one with both teams getting 5 penalties, but the big difference on the night was finishing your chances. Maplewood did a great job of doing just that, making every shot count. The Goldies went 4 for 5 on the powerplay and impressively lit the lamp 6 times on only 20 shots. Minneapolis arguably should have won, getting 12 more shots and a number of other chances that they failed to convert on. In the end it was the Retrievers who came out on top, making every chance count to defeat the Mighty Millers 6-3.

#3 Two Harbors Wolfpack vs Edina Cake Eaters
UPSET ALERT! It was a defensive showdown in this one with the Pack and Eaters both making sure to protect their end at all costs. Edina scored what would go on to be the game winning goal just past the 10 minute mark of the first period. A winger carried the puck along the top of the circle before firing a shot that beat the Two Harbors goalkeeper high glove side. Despite the Wolfpack throwing everything at the Cake Eater goaltender, they just could not find the back of the net. The final horn sounded to bring an end to the Wolfpack's Cup dreams. Edina advances to the Great Eight with a 1-0 shutout win.

#10 Roseau Stars vs New Ulm Bavarians
New Ulm came ready to go in this one, playing a complete hockey game from start to finish. Roseau had a solid game, but they didn't exactly play up to their expectations, only getting 19 shots on goal for the game which is ridiculously low for the explosive offense of the Stars. The Bavarians struck first, but the Stars got it right back to send us to the second tied at one. Neither side would get one in the second, but Roseau scored their second powerplay goal of the game a few minutes into the third period to take a 2-1 lead. New Ulm stayed calm and after drawing a powerplay of their own, tied the score 2-2. The clock ticked to zero to send us to overtime in the final game of the Super 16. Both teams got pucks on net in the early minutes of OT, but the game would finally come to an end off the stick of a Diamond. New Ulm held the puck in the Roseau zone, passing it around looking for an opening. It went down low and quickly was sauced across the crease to a Bavarian on the back door for the one timer. New Ulm is moving on, taking down the 10th ranked Stars in overtime by a score of 3-2.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Great Eight Predictions

St Paul Victorias over Burnsville

International Falls over Maplewood

New Ulm over Edina

Fargo over Rochester

Semi Final predictions

Fargo over Burnsville

New Ulm over International Falls

Nice! Now the Bavs have had their Cake Eaters and beaten them, too!

The Titans? That's big. And the Bavarians? Even bigger. Let's go Diamonds!