1988 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: First Round - Central


#9 St. Cloud Bearcats vs Mounds View Gunners
The MAC was sold out to watch the 9th ranked Bearcats take on the Mounds View Gunners and they were in for a treat. St. Cloud struck first with a pair of goals in the first before Mounds View got one back midway through the game. St. Cloud buried one on the powerplay in the third to regain a two goal lead which would prove to be enough as the Gunners got one back, but failed to knot the score. The St. Cloud Bearcats held on to advance with a 3-2 victory over Mounds View.

RV St. Cloud Storm vs Brooklyn Park Panthers
We had a double header at the MAC with the Storm and Panthers taking the ice just a couple hours after the Bearcat-Gunner game. The 2,000+ in attendance were treated to another classic playoff hockey game as the Storm and Panthers battled up and down the ice as well as on the scoreboard. At the end of regulation we were deadlocked at 3 apiece to send us to overtime. Over 8 minutes passed with both teams getting a couple shots on net before we finally had a winner. Brooklyn Park broke out of their zone with speed and had an odd man rush. The initial shot was stuffed, but the rebound was smacked home by a Panther forward to send BP onward with a 4-3 win over St. Cloud.

#17 Fergus Falls Cyclones vs Morris Mules
It was a Central Hockey Association matchup between the league champs from Fergus Falls and the visitors from Morris. The Cyclones were heavy favorites heading into this game, winning the regular season series quite handily. The Mules came out kicking, scoring on their first shot of the game, a shot that would turn out to be one of just 4 for the entire opening period. After giving up that early goal Fergus Falls clamped down and flat out took over, scoring four unanswered to advance with a 4-1 win over Morris.

#21 Maplewood Retrievers vs White Bear Lake Braves
For just the second time ever, "The Rivalry" is taking place in the post season. Aldrich Arena was sold out before warmups even began with fans of both the Goldies and Braves filling the blue bench bleachers. The atmosphere was absolutely electric as the teams took the ice and you could tell that players from both teams were ready to feed off of it. The puck was dropped and we were off and going in this single elimination playoff game between White Bear Lake and Maplewood. The first period was a physical battle with both sides looking to send a message early. White Bear was able to net one in the final minute of the period to take a 1-0 lead into intermission. The scoring really opened up from there with the Retrievers and Braves scoring 9 combined goals in the second and third to send us to overtime with the game tied 5-5. It wasn't much of a surprise to see that explosive style of play continue into overtime with the Braves lighting the lamp just under 3 minutes into extra time to clinch the upset victory. White Bear Lake ties the all-time playoff meeting record between these teams 1-1 and advances to the second round with a 6-5 win in overtime over Maplewood.


#10 Little Canada Canucks vs Columbia Heights Hussars
The ice was flooded with red as the Canucks welcomed the Winged Hussars to Little Canada. The Canucks got off to a good start thanks to a couple bad penalties by Columbia Heights, taking a 2-0 lead into the second. The Wingers got one back in the second, but Little Canada got it right back to make it 3-1. A fourth all but put the game away for the Nucks. Columbia Heights was able to get a second goal late, but it really didn't mean much as Little Canada held on to advance by a score of 4-2.

RV Alexandria Norsemen vs Sauk Rapids Bulldogs
UPSET ALERT! Sauk Rapids came to town for the first time since Alexandria left for the newly formed Central Hockey Association prior to this year, and the Bulldogs made their return with a bang. Despite having a bit of a down season, but they looked as good as ever as they completely embarrassed their former leaguemates on the road. Sauk Rapids was relentless offensively, burying the Norsemen with 5 goals to their 1 on their way to the second round.

#16 Coon Rapids Bandits vs Osseo Screaming Eagles
Coon Rapids was looking to get back over the hump after losing in the first round each of the past 3 years, and they were able to do that against their North Metro rivals from Osseo. The Bandits were hot out the gates, catching the Eagles with three bang bang goals before they knew what hit them. It was more even in the second and third with Osseo even pulling to within one at one point, but in the end Coon Rapids was able to hold on and advance with a 5-2 win over one of their biggest rivals.

RV Blaine Spartans vs Fridley Foxes
It was a NEHA rivalry game in Blaine as the league champion Spartans took on their runners up from Fridley. This was an absolute slugfest with penalties a plenty and even a couple ejections for fighting. The play on the ice was physically demanding with both teams making sure to finish every check, but the workload was pretty light for the netminders who didn't see as much rubber as usual. We didn't see any scoring until the third when Blaine took a 1-0 lead on a blast from the top of the circles. Fridley answered back in just under 5 minutes on a breakaway to level the score at 1-1 with under 10 minutes left to play. The physical play continued as the clock ticked down and it was looking like we were gonna need overtime, but with just over a minute to go there was a turnover at center ice. A Fox defensemen telegraphed a pass through the middle that was picked up by a Spartan who took it with speed, splitting the defensemen to get all alone with the goaltender. He faked a shot before pulling it to his backhand and back to his forehand, tucking it around the goalie's pad and into the back of the net. The Blaine Civic Center erupted with cheers as the home team took a 2-1 lead with just 1:06 left in regulation. The clock trickled down to zero and the horn blasted to send Blaine to the second round with a thrilling 2-1 win over their rivals from Fridley.

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1988 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: First Round - South


#13 Rochester Mustangs vs Eau Claire Rubber Kings
The top ranked team in the South Region was able to feed off the energy in a sold out Rochester Rec Center to fuel their already dangerous offensive presence. The Mustangs got on the board first, but Eau Claire bounced back with a couple late goals to send us to the second with the Rubber Kings up 2-1. Rochester wasted no time leveling the score at two, scoring just 22 seconds into the period. The Stangs poured on the pressure for the next 10 minutes or so, lighting the lamp twice more to make it a 4-2 game. Eau Claire refused to go down easy, striking back in the third to make it a one goal game once more. The Kings and Mustangs went back and forth with chances until Eau Claire was forced to pull their goalie in a last ditch effort. Almost the instant the goaltender stepped foot on the bench, the puck was scooped up by Rochester. The Mustangs dumped it down the ice into the empty cage to clinch a 5-3 victory over the Rubber Kings.

Mankato Moose vs Sioux Falls Packers
It was a down year for both of these perennial powerhouses in the South Region, but it gave them the chance to finally meet each other after all these years. It turned out to be a defensive showdown with the goaltenders taking center stage. The game winner was actually the only goal of the game and it came early in the second period when Mankato got caught in a poorly timed line change, sending the Packers in on an odd man rush capped off by a one timer beating the goalie blocker side. Mankato had no response, getting shut out in front of their own fans. Sioux Falls moves on with a 1-0 win over the Moose.

RV Hastings Rivermen vs Lake Elmo Bluejays
A couple of St. Croix Hockey League foes faced off in Hastings with their seasons on the line. It was a hard fought battle with both teams getting some licks in, but in the end the better team walked away victorious. The Rivermen outshot the Jays 34-26 and never trailed after scoring the opening goal of the game. An empty netter put the game on ice, sending Hastings to the second round with a 4-2 win over Lake Elmo.

RV Marshall Pheasants vs Austin Mavericks
Coming into this game the Pheasants and Mavericks have split their all-time series one apiece with Marshall winning in 76 and Austin winning in 79. Marshall had the upper hand coming in receiving votes and getting home ice, but Austin is hot and ready to get back into playoff hockey after a 4 year hiatus. It was an offensive explosion for 60 minutes with both teams lighting the lamp seemingly at will. It quickly became clear that this game would become an arms race, and the hometown team was able to use their home ice to their advantage. Marshall just managed to outpace the Mavs, beating Austin by one when the final horn sounded. The Fightin' Pheasants move on, ending Austin's return to the playoffs with a 5-4 win.


#15 New Ulm Bavarians vs Hutchinson Crows
The Bavarians got off to a great start in their quest for their 12th Super Series, slowly beating down on Hutchinson with relentless offense. New Ulm scored twice in the first, twice in the second, and once more in the third while keeping the Crows to one in the first and third. The New Ulm Bavarians cruise quite comfortably to the second round with a 5-2 win over Hutchinson.

Red Wing Chiefs vs Cottage Grove Yellow Jackets
Cottage Grove made the short drive down the St. Croix to Red Wing to take on the Chiefs at a sold out George A. Bergwall Arena. Things were looking good early for the home team with Red Wing getting on the board first. Cottage Grove popped off in the second, using the long change to their advantage, pouring on the offensive pressure and pinning Red Wing in their zone for minutes at a time. With their legs slow, the Chiefs left Yellow Jackets open and turned the puck over numerous times, resulting in a whopping 4 goal period for Cottage Grove. Red Wing picked up the pieces a bit in the third, getting one back, but the damage had been done and they were still gassed. The final horn sounded to send the Cottage Grove Yellow Jackets to the second round, upsetting Red Wing 4-2.

#19 Brookings Buffaloes vs Le Sueur Green Giants
UPSET ALERT! Unranked Le Sueur made the trek to South Dakota to take on the SWHA champs and walked away with a stunning upset win. It was an incredible hockey game with both teams holding the lead at one point and neither side leading by more than one at any point. Both goalies played really well, but the offenses were too good to get completely denied. It was the definition of a back and forth game but in the end it was the Jolly Green Giants who led when the final horn sounded. Le Sueur moves on with a 3-2 win over the Buffaloes.

RV Faribault Flickertails vs Rochester Robins
We had a classic at Shattuck Arena with the Faribault Flickertails and Rochester Robins fighting tooth and nail for 60 minutes only to be tied 1-1, giving the standing room only crowd some free hockey with the season on the line. Overtime was electric, with the two flying back and forth with scoring chances. Finally, over 16 minutes into overtime, we had a winner. The Tails carried the puck across the blue line, entering the Rochester zone. They chipped it down low, picked up by a winger below the goal line who quickly turned towards the middle, saucing a pass into the slot. It was a one on one battle in front between the Faribault center and Robin defenseman. The Flickertail was able to win position and get his stick to it, redirecting it on goal. The goalie got a piece of it, but not quite enough as it slowly crawled across the goal line. The goalie scooped it out just after, but the referee saw it and signaled goal, nearly blowing the roof off the building from the noise of the crowd. Faribault moves on, knocking out the Robins 2-1 in overtime.

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Superior wins AND Thunder Bay loses? That's a good round in my book!

1988 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: Second Round - Twin Cities


#3 Highland Park Flying Aces vs Burnsville Bucks
Snoopy's Doghouse was electric for this Second Round matchup between the Highland Park Flying Aces and Burnsville Bucks. It was a high flying game with the Flying Aces lighting the lamp twice in all three periods. Burnsville was also hot on offense, scoring once in the first and third, and twice in the third. When the dust settled and the final horn sounded the better team wound up on top. The Highland Park Flying Aces are heading to the Super Series for the first time since 1979, defeating Burnsville by a score of 6-4.

#18 Apple Valley Cardinals vs South St. Paul Mavericks
The Apple Valley Sports Arena was filled to the gills, with quite a few Mavs fans making the short drive from SSP for the first ever meeting between these historic franchises. The first period was a feeling out process, but the Mavericks snuck one in to lead 1-0 after one. Apple Valley tied it in the second, and both the Cards and Mavs would light the lamp in the third. Tied 2-2 after regulation, we had free hockey in Apple Valley. When the teams came out for overtime you could just tell that one team wanted it more. Apple Valley came out flying, dominating possession in the SSP zone and putting pucks on net. Just 2:47 into overtime, the Cardinals punched their ticket to Bloomington. The Cards found a man open by the dot who took a stride and ripped a shot past the South St. Paul goalie, lighting the lamp and sending his team to their 3rd Super Series, Apple Valley wins it 3-2 in overtime.

#5 Edina Cake Eaters vs RV Minneapolis Millers
Despite being one of the most successful teams in the history of the MAHL, Edina has had a rough go of things when they play the Minneapolis Millers in the playoffs. The Mighty Millers led the all-time playoff series 3-0 coming into this game, with the most recent meeting coming in 1977. Edina was able to exercise their demons in front of a sold out house at Braemar Arena. The Cake Eaters put up two in the opening period, setting themselves up in a terrific spot with two periods to go. Edina made it 3-0 on the powerplay before Minneapolis finally got one back. The Millers made it a game in the third when they pulled it to within one, giving us a 3-2 game with over 12 minutes to play. The Gold Domes put an end to any dreams of a comeback when they converted on a 2 on 1 late to make it a two goal game. Edina killed the clock to clinch the 4-2 win and send the Cake Eaters to their 17th Super Series.

#11 St. Paul Saints vs #24 Minnetonka Muskies
UPSET ALERT! We had an instant classic at the historic St. Paul Coliseum as two ranked foes fought for over 60 minutes in a defensive showdown with everything on the line. The Saints and Muskies were deadlocked at one apiece for most of this game, with both goals coming in the first 10 minutes of play and nothing else for the rest of regulation. St. Paul and Minnetonka went back and forth in overtime and it was looking like it could go either way. Late in the overtime period, the Muskies were able to get possession in the Saints zone. Tonka worked it down low before tossing it into the slot hoping to find a teammate. The Musky in front won the battle with the Saint defender, getting his stick blade on the puck to redirect it towards goal. The deflection beat the goalie blocker side, pinging off the inside of the post and in, bringing an end to the Saints have had in two decades. The Minnetonka Muskies walk away victorious from the Coliseum, beating the St. Paul Saints 2-1 in overtime to head back to the Super Series for the second year in a row and fourth time in team history.

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1988 Kellogg Cup Playoffs: Second Round - South


#13 Rochester Mustangs vs Sioux Falls Packers
There's another blossoming non-league rivalry forming between the Rochester Mustangs and Sioux Falls Packers, having faced each other in the second round now for the third time in the past 6 years. The only problem with this rivalry is that it's only gone one way. Rochester had won both of their previous meetings and were able to keep that going as they fed off the energy of a sold out Rochester Rec Center. Sioux Falls were coming in as big underdogs but they gave the Mustangs everything they could muster. The Packers led the Mustangs 2-1 after two periods of hockey, but Rochester dominated the final 20 and were able to complete the comeback. Rochester rattled off two goals in the third to leap in front 3-2, holding off the Packer attack until the final horn blared. The Rochester Mustangs are heading back to the Super Series for the 8th time in team history, eliminating Sioux Falls one game away from the SS for the third time in the past six years.

RV Hastings Rivermen vs RV Marshall Pheasants
For the third year in a row, the Hastings Rivermen and Marshall Pheasants find themselves pitted against each other in the playoffs. Marshall leads the all-time series 3-0, including eliminating Hastings each of the past two years. This was Hastings chance for payback, and the locals packed the stands to give their support to their boys in teal. The Rivermen wasted no time getting on the board and were up 2-1 after one. Marshall buried two early in the second to make it 3-2 Pheasants, but a Hastings powerplay goal tied the game at three. Hastings regained the lead in the third and put it away with a late goal to extend their lead to a pair. Hastings finally gets the better of the Fightin' Pheasants to return to the Super Series for the first time since '84. The Rivermen move on, eliminating Marshall by a score of 5-3.

#15 New Ulm Bavarians vs Cottage Grove Yellow Jackets
UPSET ALERT! Cottage Grove was able to get some payback for 1973 which saw the Bavarians blow out the Jackets 6-0. This time, a completely different set of Yellow Jackets made the trip to New Ulm and were determined to get the job done. New Ulm struck first and held that 1-0 lead until late in the second when Cottage Grove converted on a loose puck in the slot to tie the game heading into the third. New Ulm got their lead back a few minutes into the third but the Jackets responded on their next shot on goal to tie it 2-2. The Bavarians carried play for most of the rest of regulation, but couldn't get anything past the Yellow Jacket goalkeeper, sending us to overtime at New Ulm Ice Arena. Overtime was much like the third with New Ulm controlling possession and looking like the better team. Shots were 8-2 Diamonds in OT when Cottage Grove intercepted a pass in their defensive zone. They headmanned a pass up the wing and broke out with numbers. They entered the offensive zone and dropped a pass to the trailing winger who drove to the slot and ripped a shot on net. The puck blew past the Bavarian keeper and rippled the twine, lighting the red light and sending Yellow Jackets flying over the boards to celebrate. Cottage Grove returns to the Super Series for the first time since 1974, upsetting #15 New Ulm 3-2 in overtime.

RV Faribault Flickertails vs Le Sueur Green Giants
It was a fight to see who would get to represent the Blue Earth Hockey League in this years Super Series as Le Sueur made the short drive east to take on Faribault. The puck was dropped and things were underway from historic Shattuck Arena. It took a bit for the offenses to get going, but the Flickertails lit the lamp once before the first came to a close, leading 1-0 after one. Faribault made the Giants pay for a couple penalties in the second to take a commanding 3-0 lead before Le Sueur finally got on the board with under a minute left in the second. It was gonna be a tough task for the Jolly Green Giants if they wanted to comeback and force overtime, and that task became nearly impossible after Faribault found the back of the net 6 minutes into the third. Le Sueur had no answer as the clock ticked down to zero. For the first time in team history, the Faribault Flickertails are heading to the Kellogg Cup Super Series, knocking out Le Sueur by a score of 4-1.

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