1967 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; Second Round


Minneapolis Millers vs St. Paul Saints
Two of the most successful teams in the MAHL squared off in front of a sold out crowd at Minneapolis Arena. The Millers gave the hometown crowd something to cheer about just past the midway point of the first when a bad pass was intercepted, giving Minneapolis a breakaway which they capitalized on, taking the lead. They built on their lead in the second on a pair of goals, putting the Halos in a three goal deficit. St. Paul finally got one through in the third, but the Mighty Millers were relentless, netting one more goal and claiming a 4-1 victory.

Bloomington Bears vs New Ulm Bavarians
It was a goal scorers game, with two teams known for their speed putting it on full display both ways. Bloomington managed to keep the score tied or down one for the entirety of the game, but the Bavarians would keep retaking the lead. The Diamonds never had a comfortable lead, but they never trailed. The final horn rang and the scoreboard read 5-4 in favor of the guests form New Ulm in what turned out to be a very even, high paced, hockey game.

Brainerd Lumberjacks vs Rochester Robins
The Jacks didn't have the characteristically slow start in this one, instead actually controlling most of the flow of play and time of possession. The goals didn't come in the first, nor the second, but Brainerd persisted. Until finally a shot squeaked through the goalies five hole, giving the Lumberjacks the lead. That goal seemed to open the floodgates so to speak, leading to two more Brainerd goals on their way to a 3-0 shutout win over the Robins.

St. Paul Victorias vs Edina Cake Eaters
The visitors from Edina got the scoring started late in the first, getting the crowd out of the way and carrying momentum into the second. The V's regrouped in the second, carrying play and coming inches away from tying the game, but no dice. The Cake Eaters converted on a powerplay midway through the third to take a 2-0 lead late in the game. That would prove to be the final score as Edina advances to their first Super Series.


Cloquet Broncos vs Warroad Lakers
"The Millen Show" as local papers have begun referring to the superstar, was on full display in this match up against a very good Warroad team. Cloquet took the lead on a two on one chance created off a great pass from Millen, who fired the puck up ice while the Lakers were changing lines. He gave the Broncos the insurance goal they were looking for in the third as well, making it much harder for Warroad. The Lakers were unable to put anything together, playing rather desperately and making poor decisions. The final horn sounded and the top seeded Cloquet Broncos punched their ticket to the Super Series.

East Grand Forks Pointers vs Grand Rapids Moose
It was a grand display of blah in this game which did not live up to expectations. What was expected to be a highly competitive game of hockey turned out to be a sloppy and frustrating game from both sides. Neither team seemed to be making even the simplest of passes, shots were missing the net and perhaps most importantly, frequent whistles and stoppages. Grand Rapids was given a powerplay late in the second which they managed to convert on, taking a 1-0 lead. That score would be the only one of the game, sending the Moose back to the Super Series.

Baudette Walleye vs Duluth Hornets
OH-FI-SHE! The incredible season for the small town of Baudette continues, next in the Capital. The Walleye continue to play at an unprecedented level by their usual standards, knocking off the historic Duluth Hornets in convincing fashion. The final score was 3-1 but the shots were 36-24 in favor of Baudette, the Walleye earned this win.

Winnipeg Monarchs vs Thief River Falls Railers
Thief River Falls came out flying on the road, unphased by the atmosphere of the Winnipeg Arena, and took the lead just over 3 minutes into the game. The Monarchs tightened things up for the remainder of the first, and even managed to knot things at one on a nifty play from Greg Patrick. Thief River took back the lead in the closing moments of the second, getting a rebound on a shot on goal with only a couple of seconds left in the period, and putting it in the twine before the horn sounded, taking a 2-1 lead going into the final period. The Railers kept the pressure on the Monarchs at the beginning of the third, but Winnipeg slowly worked their way to a couple scoring chances. Thief River took a shot that was deflected wide and turned down ice by Winnipeg. The Monarchs broke into the zone 3 on 3 and the center opted to just fire a quick shot through the defenders legs, using him as a screen. It worked, the goalie didn't see the shot coming and was late to react, tying the game and eventually causing overtime. OT began with neither side holding onto the puck for too long. Get the puck, get it to the red line, dump and chase. That seemed to be the game plan of both teams at the beginning of the extra frame, with both sides knowing the other is more than willing to throw their body around. Thief River pumped the puck into the Monarchs zone and went in to apply pressure. The Winnipeg defenseman tried to make a pass up to his winger, but the puck was on edge and the pass whiffed. The puck was picked up by a Railer who waited out the goalie and fired the puck into the back of the net, sending the Railers to the Great Eight.

Let me know what you think,comments are appreciated!

Bold prediction: the Monarchs won't threepeat.

The Diamonds made it to another Super Series! Let's finish it this time.

Rootin' for the Jacks here...because I think it's about time a Granite League team won the Cup.

If not them, then the Walleye, Diamonds and Eaters...

1967 Kellogg Cup Super Series; Great Eight


Minneapolis Millers vs Edina Cake Eaters
The Millers came out and had their way with Edina in the first, outscoring the Cake Eaters 3-0 after one. Minneapolis built on their lead in the second, making it 4-0. But Edina started making plays again later in the second, leading to a pair of goals to bring the score to 4-2 after 2. Both teams would score once more in the third, with the Millers goal coming first, making a comeback nearly impossible. The Cake Eaters got that goal back, but would still be down by two when the final horn sounded, sending Minneapolis back to the semi finals.

Baudette Walleye vs Grand Rapids Moose
The more experienced Iron Range champs took the lead in the first on a great shot from Didi Miller. The Moose would add to their lead in the second, putting a lot of pressure on the Walleye. Baudette came out for the third determined to continue to shock the league. They played as a unit, finding open players in scoring areas, and tying the game at 2-2, forcing overtime. Grand Rapids was holding on for dear life at the end of regulation, with Baudette swarming the Moose zone. To everyone's surprise though, the Walleye didn't seem as dominant at the beginning of overtime. Nobody is quite sure if it was the nerves of overtime on the big stage or what exactly happened, but the Moose began overtime getting a few shots on the Walleye goal. Baudette won the faceoff in their zone, but turned the puck over in the corner. The Moose winger dumped the puck to his center in the slot who one timed a blast past the goalie, winning the game for the Moose and ending Baudette's magical season.

Cloquet Broncos vs New Ulm Bavarians
The Bavarians got outplayed by a superior Cloquet team, led by Brady Millen who may be playing the best hockey of his career, getting 1 goal and 2 assists in the Broncos 4-0 blowout of New Ulm.

Brainerd Lumberjacks vs Thief River Falls Railers
Despite being the 3-6 game, this one was expected to be "The Game" of the Great Eight. The Jacks and Railers exchanged chances early, but neither side could convert. The Smith twins went tick-tac-toe in the Brainerd zone, giving the Railers the first lead of the game. Brainerd would score next, but not until the third. The Jacks then added another at the 11 minute mark to take the lead. Thief River, always fans of the dramatic, pulled the goalie with a minute left and managed to somehow win the race to a dumped in puck, then forced the puck into a mass of bodies in front where it happened to find Jack Smith's stick and promptly was deflected into the back of the net, tying the game and forcing overtime. Thief River was riding high after the game tying goal and won the opening faceoff, entering the Brainerd zone. The winger carrying the puck dropped it for his defenseman who took a snap shot from just within the blue line. The shot was hard and low, out of the goalies line of sight. The goalie didn't even realize the winger no longer had possession as the puck flew past him, sending Thief River Falls to the semi finals.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

JamHeronArk wrote:

Burmy87 wrote:

Rootin' for the Jacks here...because I think it's about time a Granite League team won the Cup.

If not them, then the Walleye, Diamonds and Eaters...

What have you done?

Apparently, my current illness has resulted in my picks turning into reverse psychology.

In that case...Moose and Railers, please.