1977 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; Second Round - South


Mankato Moose vs Luverne Flying Dutchmen
The top seed in the south was pushed to the edge by the Dutchmen, but Mankato managed to hold them off to return to the Super Series. Mankato was up 2-0 in the second, but Luverne crawled their way back into it, tying the game at 2. The Moose converted on a powerplay in the third to regain the lead, this time holding on to knock off Luverne 3-2.

Austin Mavericks vs Apple Valley Cardinals
The Mavericks took full advantage of the home ice advantage, coming out flying in the first and taking a 2-0 lead. "Go Mavs Go" chants rang out at Riverside Arena as over 2,500 fans yelled in unison. This only made things more difficult on the Cardinals who quickly began to fall out of the game as they allowed two more goals in the second before finally getting on the board themselves with a nice shot from the dot. Austin continued to outplay Apple Valley, outshooting them 11-6 in the period and scoring once more to advance with a 5-1 win to send the Mavericks to their first Super Series.

Marshall Pheasants vs Rochester Mustangs
It was a goaltender duel in Marshall between the Pheasants and Mustangs. Both teams were getting scoring chances, flying up and down the ice, but both teams were bailed out on more than one occasion by their goaltenders. Marshall's Aaron Plante had the game of his career, playing out of his mind, stopping all 33 Rochester shots on goal to propel Marshall to their second straight Super Series, knocking off the Mustangs 2-0.

Faribault Flickertails vs Sioux City Shockers
Goals were the name of the game at Shattuck Arena as the Flickertails and Shockers lit up one another on the scoreboard, going back and forth for the lead 4 times in the game with the visitors from City taking a 5-4 lead in the third. The Shockers converted on the empty net in the final minute of the game to solidify the upset win, knocking off Faribault 6-4 and punching their ticket to St. Paul.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Austin is the only team with cool colors in this Super Series. Also interesting is that the Shockers have a chance to bring Iowa their first cup!

Dan O'Mac's thoughts on the first round of the Super Series.

Mankato and Plymouth will be a close one, and I'm going to take the Moose to advance.

The Shockers are coming into this on a string of upsets, but I don't think they'll get by the Beavers from Silver Bay.

My upset of the round is going to be the Pheasants over the Giants. Marshall is getting stronger, and the Giants aren't going to be able to hold them off.

Finally, the Lumberjacks and Mavericks are going to play in a game of beautiful jerseys, and although I'd love to see the Mavs pull off the upset, but I'm going with the 'Jacks.

1977 Kellogg Cup Super Series Playdowns


Mankato Moose vs Plymouth Militia
Mankato came out flying at home as 1,200 fans packed All Seasons Arena chanting "Lets Go Kato" at the top of their lungs. The Moose gave their fans plenty to cheer about in the first, jumping out to a commanding 3-0 lead after 1. Plymouth got on the board with a pair of goals in the second, but Mankato got another for themselves to make it 4-2. The Moose were given a golden opportunity with the Militia taking two penalties in quick succession to give Mankato a 5 on 3. The Moose didn't let the chance go to waste, smacking at the puck in the crease, rebound after rebound, until the puck found its way to the back of the net extending Mankato's lead to 5-2. Plymouth got their third goal of the game with 26 seconds left in the game, all but meaningless as the Militia fall by a final score of 5-3, sending Mankato to the Great Eight.

Silver Bay Beavers vs Sioux City Shockers
This was a back and forth game that saw the Silver Bay Beavers get pushed to the brink by Sioux City. The Shockers got on the board first, but the Beavs managed to tie it up before the second. Sioux City then scored two unanswered goals in the second to put themselves in the drivers seat up 3-1 with 20 minutes to go. Silver Bay came out for the third looking determined and focused. It didn't take long for a shot to find its way to the back of the net to get the Beavers to within one. From then on it was all Silver Bay as the crowd began to support the Minnesotans from the Lake Superior League. "Lets Go Beavers" chants began to ring out at the St. Paul Civic Center and Silver Bay continued to press the pace, getting a couple good looks on net until one of them caused a rebound that was promptly buried to tie the game at 3. It only took 2:10 for the Beavers to strike again, their third of the period, to take a 4-3 lead. Sioux City would have no answer as the Beavers complete the comeback win to advance.

Thunder Bay Giants vs Marshall Pheasants
This was a very even game for about 55 of the 60 minutes, with 5 minutes of absolute domination by the Thunder Bay Giants at the end of the first period. Thunder Bay scored the games first goal 14:53 into the first, and proceeded to get another 11 shots on goal in the remaining 5 minutes, scoring on two. Luckily for the Pheasants, the horn saved them and they were able to regroup. The next two periods were back to even with shots and scoring chances being about the same for both sides. Marshall got on the board early in the third, but were unable to complete the comeback. Thunder Bay advances to the Great Eight with a 3-1 win over Marshall.

Brainerd Lumberjacks vs Austin Mavericks
It was a defensive battle in the final game of the night between the Jacks and Mavs. Shots were low for both sides and the score reflected that, being tied at 1 when the final horn sounded. We went to overtime to decide a winner and both teams came out playing even more defensive than they had in regulation. This led to every shot on goal feeling like a scoring chance as the Civic Center watched on with anticipation. Brainerd had a shot blocked and Austin gained control, breaking out and getting into the Lumberjack zone. A winger carried the puck to the dot and turned in towards the slot. He held off a defenseman and dished a pass over to his teammate on the corner of the crease who redirected it past the Brainerd goalie and into the net. The Austin bench erupted and threw themselves over the boards as they went to mob the goal scorer who had thrown himself into the glass in the corner in celebration. Austin moves on, upsetting Brainerd 2-1 in overtime.

Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!

Oh wow...this is just getting more and more interesting by the moment!  There is still a possibility that we could get our first intraleague Kellogg Cup Final since 1958 (if Silver Bay and Thunder Bay or Edina and Richfield make it all the way)...this will be something to see!

S/N Anybody else noticed that Austin had gone through a bit of a drought when they'd ditched the "Flying A," and now that it's back (even as a shoulder patch) they're back to their glory days?  That should say something...I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes the primary again within five years.