Oh, how the Tower has fallen.

PREDICTIONS

Thunder Bay edges Two Harbors in a nail-biter

Ely continues their Cinderella story, take down Superior

Come playoff time, they have ice in their veins. International Falls wins in Bemidji

It is duck hunting season, and the Roseau Stars are ready for it. Detroit Lakes upset bid falls way short as the blue-blood Stars wipe them off the floor.

1986 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: First Round - Twin Cities North


#10 Sauk Rapids Bulldogs vs North St. Paul Ramparts
The Bulldogs wore down the Ramparts slowly but surely, scoring once in the second and two more in the third while keeping NSP off the scoreboard. When the final horn sounded Sauk Rapids sat firmly ahead, advancing with a 3-0 shutout victory over North St. Paul.

St. Cloud Bearcats vs Lino Lakes Herons
The MAC was jumping as the Bearcats welcomed the Herons of Lino Lakes for a first round matchup. It would prove to be a classic as it went the distance and then some. Great Blue scored first, but St. Cloud would only be held off the board for so long. The Cats tied it up late in the second at 1-1, a score that would hold until the final horn sounded to end the third period. We went to overtime to see who would advance and who's season would come to an end. The 2,000+ in the crowd did their part, belting out "Go Cats Go" chants. 13:20 into overtime, a winner was finally decided. St. Cloud was on the rush and the winger took a shot from out wide. The rebound popped out to the high slot on the opposite side of the ice, and the opposite Bearcat winger was the first man to it. He wasted no time, one timing the rebound into the back of the net and sending St. Cloud to the second round with a 2-1 win.

#20 Coon Rapids Bandits vs East Bethel Cranes
UPSET ALERT! In only their second season, East Bethel has already clinched their first notable win, knocking out the North Metro Hockey League champions in the first round of the playoffs. The Cranes offense was on fire, lighting up the Bandit goaltender for 6 goals. Coon Rapids was able to net three goals in the game, but the six against were just too much to overcome. East Bethel moves on, taking out #20 Coon Rapids by a score of 6-3.

#24 Alexandria Norsemen vs Little Falls Pilots
It was a GHL showdown in Alexandria as the Norsemen took on the Little Falls Pilots. Alec opened the scoring with a pair of goals in the first. Little Falls got one back in the second to make it 2-1 heading into the third and final period. Little Falls made things very interesting as they tied the game at two with a powerplay goal. The Norsemen would respond just a few minutes later though to regain the lead. It was back and forth for the rest of the game, Little Falls missing by inches on a couple occasions. With a minute left, the Pilots pulled their netminder to get the extra attacker. Alexandria were able to get control of the puck and dumped it down into the opening to secure the win. Alexandria moves on, knocking out Little Falls 4-2.


#12 Maplewood Retrievers vs Blaine Spartans
Aldrich Arena was sold out to watch the Goldies battle the Spartans. Maplewood came in as heavy favorites and they lived up to the hype. The Retrievers scored once in the first to take a 1-0 lead, then two in the second and one more in the third. Blaine only managed to net one in the third and by then it was too late. The Goldies move on, knocking out Blaine by a score of 4-1.

Anoka Warriors vs Roseville Rockets
It was a goal scorers battle in Anoka as the Warriors and Rockets went back and forth on the scoreboard for a combined total of 9 goals for the game. No team had a lead of more than 1 at any point in the game, just showing how truly close this game was. When the dust settled and the game was over, the hometown Warriors were ahead by one, up 5-4. Anoka moves on, surviving a hard fought battle with Roseville.

#17 Mounds View Gunners vs Osseo Screaming Eagles
The Gunners offense was firing at will on the Osseo netminder, getting 41 shots on goal by the end of regulation, 3 of them finding the back of the net. The Eagles were left empty handed on the other side of the ice, getting shut out. Mounds View moves on with a commanding 3-0 victory over Osseo.

White Bear Lake Braves vs Plymouth Militia
We had an incredible hockey game on our hands in White Bear Lake as the Braves and Militia battled for 60 minutes only to need overtime. At the end of three periods we were tied 2-2 at a sold out White Bear Lake Hippodrome. When the teams returned to the ice, the pace didn't slow down a bit. Both teams were flying up and down the ice with scoring chances, so it wasn't a surprise that we had a winner only 4:47 into OT. Plymouth entered the White Bear Lake zone 2 on 1. The puck carrier took it wide while the other went to the net. The puck carrier cut back to the middle and ripped a shot. The goalie was screened by the other Militia forward and didn't see the shot coming. It whizzed past the White Bear Lake defenseman who tried to block it, before it beat the goalie blocker side. The goal light lit up and the Plymouth bench cleared in celebration. The Militia move on, knocking out the Braves in overtime 3-2 on the road.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

1986 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: First Round - Twin Cities South


#2 Minneapolis Millers vs Lakeville Admirals
Parade was rocking well before puck drop as the second ranked Mighty Millers took on playoff newcomers Lakeville. The game went about as expected with the Minneapolis offense lighting up the Admiral goaltender for 6 goals in the game. Lakeville was able to net one in both the second and third, but it would only be a drop in the bucket as the Millers cruise to a 6-2 victory and advance to the second round.

Eagan Oaks vs Richfield Roosters
This game had a lot of eyes on it with local media hyping it as one of the games to watch in the first round as both the Oaks and Roosters come in receiving votes to be ranked. The visitors scored first, but Eagan answered right back to send us to the second tied 1-1. Richfield feasted on the powerplay in the second, scoring 2 goals with the man advantage plus one at even strength to take a 4-2 lead heading into the final 20 minutes. Eagan buried a powerplay goal of their own early in the third to make it a one goal game, but the Cocks were able to withstand the Oak onslaught in the final minutes to hold the lead. Eagan would eventually pull their goalie in a last ditch effort, leading to the game clinching goal for Richfield after they took control and dumped it the length of the ice into the empty cage. The Richfield Roosters advance, taking out Eagan 5-3 on the road.

#13 Edina Cake Eaters vs Minnetonka Muskies
For the 3rd time in the past 4 years, non-league rivals Edina and Minnetonka are pitted against one another in the post season. The Cake Eaters led the all-time playoff series 2-1 heading into this game, and perhaps that gave the Muskies that little extra bit of motivation because they came out in this one and outplayed the #13 ranked team in the MAHL on the road. It was a high scoring game at Braemar Arena with both offenses creating scoring chances that would find the back of the net. At the end of 60 minutes we were tied at 4 apiece, Minnetonka was actually outshooting Edina 34-26 at the end of 3 periods and had arguably outplayed the Eaters despite being tied. In the end though, the Muskies would be able to get it done, beating the Edina goaltender five hole on a shot while driving to the net. The couple hundred Tonka fans in the crowd went nuts while the rest of the Hornets Nest sat in a stunned silence. The Minnetonka Muskies have pulled off the upset, evening the all-time playoff series in the process. Tonka moves on, beating Edina 5-4 in overtime.

#15 Apple Valley Cardinals vs Burnsville Bucks
The Apple Valley Sports Arena was filled to capacity before warmups had even begun as nearly 2,000 packed into the building to watch arch rivals Apple Valley and Burnsville face off in the playoffs. The Bucks got the better of the Cardinals in their first two post season meetings, but this year Apple Valley was determined to finally take down their rivals. It started out good for the Bucks who jumped out to a 1-0 lead midway through the first period and remained in front until the Cards finally tied it up with seconds left in the second. With all the momentum and a reenergized crowd on their side, Apple Valley came out flying in the third. The Cardinals worked it around the Burnsville zone for minutes on end, wearing down the Bucks and their goaltender who was forced to make more and more saves. Eventually, the wall would collapse just enough for a juicy rebound to pop loose and be put home by a Cardinal down low to give his team a 2-1 lead. The crowd was absolutely electric after the go ahead goal, and Burnsville would have no answer. Apple Valley avenges their past defeats, getting their first playoff victory against their arch rivals by a score of 2-1.


#4 St. Louis Park Louies vs Chanhassen Badgers
Two teams only 20 minutes apart facing off for the first time ever. St. Louis Park came into this one as heavy favorites and they didn't disappoint, outskating and outscoring the Chanhassen Badgers on their way to a 5-2 victory in front of over 2,000 Louies faithful.

#22 Mound Marauders vs Eden Prairie Pumas
UPSET ALERT! We had a defensive battle going on in Mound as the Marauders and Pumas were still scoreless after two full periods of play. It wouldn't be until an Eden Prairie shot took a deflection off of a Buc defenseman's shin pad and redirected past the downed goaltender that the game would see its first (and only) goal. EP, knowing their competition well after years in the same league, were able to shut down any offensive chances Mound tried to create. The Pumas were able to hold on to the final horn, completing the upset victory, and a shut out at that! Eden Prairie gets their first ever post season victory, knocking out Hennepin Hockey League champions Mound 1-0 on the road.

#7 St. Paul Victorias vs New Hope Raiders
New Hope had high hopes for their first playoff run, but sadly for them it wasn't meant to be this year. The V's played like a well oiled machine, working together to open up scoring chances and slowly build up a four goal lead. The Raiders would avoid the shutout with a late goal, but it was too little too late as St. Paul easily cruises to a 4-1 victory to advance as they look to make their 5th consecutive Super Series appearance.

#21 St. Paul Saints vs West St. Paul Waves
It was a classic TCHL hockey game between two long time foes at the historic St. Paul Coliseum. The 8,000 or so fans in attendance were able to watch a great hockey game between two very skilled hockey teams. The pace of the game was very fast and there was no shortage of scoring chances for either team. One team would score and the other would answer, this happened a couple of times in the game before West St. Paul finally went ahead by one and held on. When the final horn sounded, the scoreboard read 4-3 in favor of the visitors, sending the Waves on to the second round.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

New Ulm going down early has to be the biggest surprise so far, considering they were the defending champs.