Oh boy, this one was very busy!

Bemidji Blue Ox - Think the ox logo on the front is an appropriate move for Bemidji, and although I liked the Rangers styled double outline on their old look, I think they are still one of the cleanest teams in the state. My favorite part is their blue knuckled gloves. Must be pretty damn cold in Bemidji to see that many blue knuckles! haha

Roseau Stars - I think the style that matched the stripes on the away really pleased my OCD, but I have to admit the clutter is gone with the change to solid green.

Rochester Mustangs - Rochester's homes are one of my favorite in the series and they get better with the shoulders becoming black. Reminds me of Hyletville, but a little more mean and simple. I guess I can't get enough of two colored jerseys with tons of even stripes.

Grand Rapids Moose - UPGRADE. Love some more character on that away. Still advocating a white outline for the home just to create more consistency between the logos on the jerseys.

Sioux Falls Packers - Hey look at that, my favorite team of the South. Actually was going to do something similar in the future for a team in my series. Great mind, amazing execution. Cute porker gets a thumbs up, but I think they are looking dangerously close to Rochester with those new threads. Think the white shoulders are perfect. 

Cloquet Broncos - I think the color update was a much needed refresh. Logo is an upgrade. Wish they kept their Winnipeg stripes. Any chance we see a cleaner version of their original bronco logo as a shoulder patch at some point?

Fairmont Hawks - Looks like Cloquet and Fairmont might have shared ideas for jersey striping during the off season. I like their softer red, it feels unique for a color scheme that isn't that unfamiliar.

Faribault Flickertails - Another team that excites my for future branding! Flickertails are rambunctious looking things!

Brookings Buffaloes - South Dakota is a state that has knocked identities out of the park so far. Brown and pure red is the move of the offseason! Perfectly classic team. Yes, he looks like he is tipping over, but let's just say he is getting ready for a quick start for now! (Hockey players are taught to get on their toes and lean forward from a stopped position to maximize quick strides out of the gate for those who do not know)

Luverne Flying Dutchmen - This one is fun. The logo is a unique take on the winged foot and I respect a sash in the sport. Their breezers also get some brownie points.

Siuox City Shockers - THIS NEWS WAS SHOCKING!! Almost everything about this team is a win. The logo is top tier for how simple it is and the home works well. I am just not convinced for their away uniforms. Maybe if they had some black on the socks it would round it out. 

 

1969/70 MAHL Regular Season; North


Granite Hockey League
The defending champs kept it going, making it 11 league titles in a row (the Jacks 12th of the last 13 years), beating out their newfound rivals from St. Cloud by only 3 games. Fergus Falls missed the playoffs for the first time in a long time last year, that miss seemed to light a fire under the Cyclones, unleashing much more offensive firepower and claiming the third spot. It was a three team battle for the final playoff spot for most of the season. St. Cloud suffered a major injury to their goalie with about a month and a half left in the season, causing them to drop out of the race, leaving Little Falls and Alexandria to duke it out for the final playoff spot. In the end it was the Pilots who earned the post season birth, winning going 6-2-1 to end the year. Sauk Rapids remained in last as per usual.

Iron Range Hockey League
The Moose are loose once again, winning the Iron Range for the fifth time. Hibbing seems to have found a game plan that works, working their way to second place, winning the Quad City Trophy, just ahead of Virginia. Eveleth and Ely seem to have had a spark lit under them, with games between the two most successful teams in the MAHL getting very physical. It was fitting that the two were also battling in the standings, with the Redbirds ultimately winning the battle by securing the final playoff spot ahead of the Black Bears and Chisholm.

Lake Superior Hockey League
Thunder Bay got back on top after mysteriously dropping off last season. Their feared defense was back to shutting down some of the best teams in the MAHL, propelling the Giants to their 10th Lake Superior Hockey league title. The Hornets held the two spot while the Lakers dropped a few spots to third. Le Bleus had a solid season, managing to steal the four spot from the Wolfpack in the last game of the season, crushing Two Harbors playoff dreams. Cloquet had a poor season by their standards, dropping all the way to sixth despite still being a good hockey team. Grand Marais and Silver Bay remained in the basement in seventh and eighth.

Northland Hockey League
The Stars shine bright in the Northland, winning their 8th title in convincing fashion, only losing 3 games this year, none of them at home, going undefeated in front of the Green Army for two years in a row. Moving into second we have the Steinbach Barbarians who bypass their bigger neighbors and win the Maple Leaf Trophy for the first time. Winnipeg took third, still looking like a serious threat come playoffs. OH-FI-SHE! The Walleye are back in the playoffs, flying under the radar most of the season in the middle of the pack and then turning it on when it mattered, moving past the Blue Ox, Lakers, and Trappers to secure their second playoff birth. Kenora was also floating near the middle of the pack for most of the season, but unlike Baudette, the Muskrats got into a slump and were unable to recover, dropping to eighth. They did still beat out International Falls and Blackduck though.

Red River Hockey League
The back and forth continues between the Jets and Pointers, with Grand Forks claiming their second title. EGF took second, finishing with a bit of a bubble between them and the Railers in third. There was another gap from Thief River to the final playoff team, Fargo. The Titans and Kings both finished below .500, swapping places in the standings all season until the final game was played and it was Fargo in the final playoff spot. Moorhead had a difficult season, only winning 5 games and coming in last.

Last edited by Section30 (2/16/2020 6:30 pm)

Last edited by Section30 (2/16/2020 10:57 pm)

The Shockers are off to a fast start. New Ulm looks like the team to beat in the BEL after Sioux Falls left.

Great to see the Moose having another great year!  The funny question on the Power Rankings is when is the last time the Winona Wildcats WEREN'T the worst team in the league?