1969 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; First Round Day 1


St. Paul Saints vs Mason City Musicians
It was a rough welcome to St. Paul for the notes as the Saints marched all over Mason City in a 5-0 blowout win to advance to the second round.

La Crosse Brewers vs St. Paul Victorias
For the first time since 1937, the St. Paul Victorias played a game outside of the State of Minnesota. The V's struck first, finding the back of the net 5 minutes in. The Brewers responded with just over 3 minutes left in the first to tie things back up heading into the second. La Crosse kept the momentum going into the second, gaining their first lead of the game early in the period. St. Paul would not stay down though, allying the pressure at the end of the period and creating a rebound goal to tie things 3-3 after 2. The third period wore on and the depth of the Victorias was beginning to become more evident as the V's began to take over the game. La Crosse was on their heels, unable to get the puck into the Victorias side of the ice. A Victoria winger carried the puck into the slot, ripping a shot glove side, beating the goalie and giving St. Paul a 4-3 lead. That would be the final goal of the game as the Victorias will advance to do battle with their arch nemesis in the second round.

Sioux Falls Packers vs Northfield Outlaws
 UPSET ALERT! The Outlaws rode west and came away with a shocking 3-1 upset victory over the Blue Earth Hockey League Champions, Sioux Falls Packers, ending their cup hopes in devastating fashion.

Minneapolis Millers vs Rochester Robins
This one was expected to be a one sided affair with the Mighty Millers walking away with an easy victory, but it turned out to be much closer than expected. The Robins jumped out to a 1-0 lead late in the first, quieting the over 7,500 in attendance. Minneapolis looked like the better team for most of the second, but were unable to capitalize on any chances, still trailing 1-0 after 2. The Millers finally broke through on a shot from the point that was helped by a great screen, blocking the goalies view and tying the game 1-1. Overtime began and it continued to be controlled by the Millers, with Minneapolis getting a couple chances in the opening minutes. Just over a quarter through the period, the Millers won a battle for the puck in the corner, sending the puck up to the point. It was then fired down to the winger on the far side who was open for a one timer. He wound up and fired a blast that blew past the Rochester goalie, sending Minneapolis on for a chance to make it 3 in a row.


Winnipeg Monarchs vs Crookston Kings
Winnipeg jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead after the first, making it nearly impossible for a Crookston comeback. This didn't stop them from trying though, getting a pair of goals. It would be to no avail though as the Monarchs would score twice as well to win easily, 5-2.

Duluth Hornets vs Steinbach Barbarians
This one was largely considered the hardest game to predict by experts prior to the first round, with the Hornets and Barbarians both boasting very good squads with a little extra size to throw around. It was tied 1-1 after two, but things really opened up in the third. It seemed rare when a team didn't enter the zone on an odd man rush or breakaway. Steinbach took the lead, then added to it shortly after, going up 3-1. Duluth was quick to respond with a goal of their own though to bring it back to within one. A few minutes passed before the Barbarians netted another to get their lead back to 2. The clock began to be a concern for Duluth, and they decided to pull the goalie with just under 2 minutes to go. They set up like a powerplay and actually set up a beautiful passing play leading to a goal, sending the crowd wild and giving the Hornets hope yet again. They won the draw and pulled the goalie yet again, working the puck around the Steinbach zone. The clock ticked on as Duluth looked for shooting lanes, but Steinbach played excellent defense, preventing any clean shots on goal. The clock was down to 2 and the Hornets fired a last ditch shot that was blocked as the horn sounded, the Barbarians advance to square off with their biggest rivals.

Roseau Stars vs Warroad Lakers
One of the biggest rivalries in the MAHL was on full display at the Roseau Memorial Arena as over 3,000 fans packed in to watch the Stars and Lakers battle to keep their seasons alive. Roseau wasted no time getting on the board, catching Warroad sleeping and striking 20 seconds in. The Stars added to their lead in the second, heading into the final period feeling very good, up 2 goals. The third began and Warroad was giving it their all, and it payed off. A shot form the point was saved, but the rebound was smacked five hole, bringing the Lakers to within one with 13 minutes to go. Warroad was very aggressive, and this led to a Roseau 2 on 1 that was capped off with a snipe off the crossbar and in, giving Roseau a 3-1 lead late in the third. The Stars were able to hold off the Laker attack for the remainder of the game, knocking off their biggest rivals and advancing.

Superior Lakers vs Ely Black Bears
It was a scoreless first period, but it was all Lakers, with Superior outshooting Ely 12-6. Things opened up in the second, with Superior finding the back of the net twice. Ely seemed to flick a switch between the second and third as they came out looking like a different team, applying constant pressure in the Lakers zone and managing to come back and tie things up at 2 to force overtime. Overtime began and Superior seemed to be able to control the Black Bear attack better than in the third, and they began turning the momentum back in their favor. The nearly 1,000 on hand at the Superior Municipal Rink cheered on their team with "Lets Go Lakers" chants as they set up in the Ely zone. A pass was sent into the slot where a Black Bear intercepted it, but he had his pocket picked, giving the Laker center a wide open shot from the slot where he wasted no time picking the top left corner and winning the game for Superior.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

The Moose vs Railers game was one I love to see, but never wanted because that mean one of my teams are going to be out. At least they put on a show!

Also, think it be funny watching that Edina vs Osseo game. I know the teams are so different from each other, but those two jerseys look like they could be the home and away for one team!

Last edited by Thehealthiestscratch (2/09/2020 4:21 pm)

Let's see if the Outlaws can sneak past the Cinderella killers, the mighty Millers. Also an interesting St. Paul-St. Paul matchup.

At what point has the MAHL moved from outdoor ponds to arenas if they haven't already?

1969 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; Second Round


St. Paul Saints vs St. Paul Victorias
The St. Paul Coliseum was sold out for the first playoff meeting between the Saints and Victorias in 17 years. The Halos got on the board first, outplaying the V's in the opening period. The boys in blue would bounce back in the second though, tying the game at one apiece. Both teams had chances in the third, but neither converted, and overtime was needed. One overtime came and went with little action, so we headed to our fifth period of the game. The V's were assessed a two minute minor for high sticking, giving he Saints a powerplay. The Saints set up, passing the puck around the zone, but a pass from d to d was intercepted by a Victoria who had speed and was in on a breakaway. He faked backhand and ripped a shot forehand that beat the goalie, sending the Victorias to the Super Series with a double overtime victory over their arch rivals.

Minneapolis Millers vs Northfield Outlaws
The red hot Outlaws rode into Minneapolis with high hopes, but were promptly shut down by the Mighty Millers. Minneapolis only allowed 18 shots against, one resulting in a goal, while managing to get an impressive 41 shots on goal for themselves with 3 finding the back of the net to send them back to the Super Series for a chance to defend their crown yet again.

Brainerd Lumberjacks vs St. Cloud Bearcats
Despite years of dominating the Granite Hockey League, it is surprising the Lumberjacks don't have a major rival... or at least didn't. This battle between the Jacks and Cats was about as rough as they get, with multiple ejections for fighting on both sides. Goals weren't uncommon as both teams had ample opportunities on offense. The Lumberjacks ultimately came out on top in this bloodbath by a score of 4-3.

Edina Cake Eaters vs Mankato Moose
It was a scorers game in Edina as the Cake Eaters and Moose were firing on all cylinders, forcing overtime with the score tied 4-4. It was Edina that would strike first in OT though, basting a one timer from the dot past the goalie, sending Edina to the Super Series.


Winnipeg Monarchs vs Steinbach Barbarians
It was the first playoff meeting between these two bitter rivals from north of the border. This was a very close and hard fought game that saw the Monarchs ultimately came out on top over their smaller neighbors by a score of 2-1.

Roseau Stars vs Superior Lakers
The Lake Superior Hockey League champs went into the Roseau Memorial Arena to battle the Stars. The Green Army let their presence be known early on, creating a hostile environment for the Lakers from the moment they stepped on the ice. Roseau jumped on the board early, getting a 3 on 1 in the opening minutes and taking the lead. They added to their lead late in the second, notching a pair of goals in the last 2:49 of the period to take a 3-0 lead heading into the third. Superior had no answers for the Stars attack, allowing another odd man rush resulting in Roseau jumping out to a commanding 4 goal lead. That would prove to be the final goal of the game as the Stars keep the Lakers off the board. Roseau will go to their fourth Super Series, having conquered the Lakers of the MAHL.

Thunder Bay Giants vs Hibbing Greyhounds
Things started off looking good for the Giants, with Thunder Bay leading 1-0 after the first, but Hibbing turned things around after the first. The Greyhounds pinned the Giants in their zone for much of the second, but only managed to tie things at 1-1, missing a number of grade A chances. They continued to buzz in the third, this time finishing on their chances and taking a 3-1 lead midway through the third. Thunder Bay would try to come back, but to no avail as the horn sounded sending Hibbing to their first Super Series.

East Grand Forks Pointers vs Grand Rapids Moose
The Moose were loose in East Grand Forks, but the Pointers are just as skilled, resulting in a very close game. So close in fact that we were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation, resulting in the game going to overtime. OT didn't last too long though, with Grand Rapids beating the Pointers goalie with a cross-crease, one time, tap in goal to send the Moose back to Bloomington.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!