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1978 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; Second Round - Twin Cities
Edina Cake Eaters vs Maplewood Retrievers
It was a battle of East vs West as the Cake Eaters welcomed the Retrievers to Braemar Arena. Edina got on the board first, beating the goalie with a shot from the high slot. Maplewood would bounce back in the second, but Nanne would put Edina back in front with a goal and an assist. Edina extended their lead to 3 with a powerplay goal in the third before the Goldies finally caught a lucky bounce and converted to make it 4-2. The final horn sounded to send Edina to the Super Series yet again, but you wouldn't have known that by the reaction of the Cake Eaters who calmly hopped the boards and headed to the locker room. Clearly they had expected to make it this far, all they care about at this point is the Kellogg Cup.
Minnetonka Muskies vs Richfield Roosters
Edina will not be the only team in the Super Series from the West Metro with either Tonka or Richfield set to join them. There may not be "hatred" between the Muskies and Roosters, but both teams do bring out the best in one another. Games between these two are always low scoring, defensive battles, so it was no surprise that we needed to go to overtime with the score tied 1-1 at the end of 60 minutes. The puck was dropped for overtime at Minnetonka Arena as over 1,000 fans packed in and chanted "Lets Go Muskies!" It didn't take long for Tonka to get a look at goal, ringing a shot off the pipe just over a minute in. The Muskies didn't let up, beginning to wear on Richfield as they were trapped in their own zone. The puck made its way to the point where the Minnetonka defender stepped up and shot the puck hard and low for a rebound. The shot was stopped, but the puck remained in the slot where a Musky forward was there to smack at it until it slid behind the Rooster goalie and into the netting to send Minnetonka to their first Super Series.
West St. Paul Waves vs Highland Park Flying Aces
Neighbors separated by the Mississippi, Highland Park and West St. Paul have had a budding rivalry since the Aces inception 5 years ago. That rivalry can officially be confirmed after this all out war at John V. Hoene Arena. The tight packed arena was deafening as the "Lets Go Waves" chants bounced off the walls. The electricity in the air translated to the game as both teams came out flying. It was tied at 1 after 1, but the game opened up a lot more in the second and third. The physical play also picked up as the game went along. A hit late in the second caused a scrum with some sucker punches involved, but no ejections were made. West St. Paul took a 4-2 lead on the resulting powerplay at the beginning of the third, giving themselves a lead that would hold for the rest of the game. Highland Park was determined to keep their season alive, scoring with the goalie pulled to make it a one goal game, but failing to score a second to tie it up and force overtime. The final horn sounded and the Arena erupted as West St. Paul advances to their first ever Super Series appearance with a 4-3 win over their rivals from Highland.
White Bear Lake Braves vs St. Paul Victorias
It was a rematch of a second round matchup from 2 years ago between the Braves and V's, but this time it was the boys from White Bear who came out on top. The V's were not playing their best hockey, making some dumb plays that led to turnovers and missed chances. The Braves meanwhile were clicking, making beautiful passes to set up highlight real goals to give them a 2-0 lead through 2. White Bear buried one more in the third for good measure, shutting out the V's 3-0 to make it back ot the Super Series for the 3rd time in team history.
Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!
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While the North and South burn, the biggest upset in the Twin Cities this year was an eight over a nine.
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Good try, Aces! You showed 'em all why you're gonna be a force in the years ahead...you'll get to the Series next year.
Congrats to the Brookies, Tonka and WSP on their first Super Series trips...enjoy every bit of the Met Center experience!
(Sorry for my lack of comments thus far...with no Wisconsin teams in the playoffs, I've kinda lain low)
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1978 Kellogg Cup Playoffs; Second Round - South
Northfield Outlaws vs St. Peter Governors
Two teams coming off upsets, Northfield was given home ice despite all the odds to welcome St. Peter. It was a close game through one with Northfield up 1-0 after 20 minutes. Things took a drastic turn in the second though as the Outlaws went on a scoring spree, scoring three goals before the Governors could finally respond. Northfield got that goal right back with a cannon from the point to put them up 5-1 after 2. The Outlaws buried one more for good measure in the third to put this one away, sending Northfield to their first ever Super Series with a 6-1 win over St. Peter.
Owatonna Owls vs Red Wing Chiefs
The most highly anticipated section final in the south was this game by far. A very good Owatonna team vs VHL Champion Red Wing. The game definitely lived up to the hype as the Owls and Chiefs went back and forth in a fast paced, high action game. We found ourselves tied 2-2 at the end of regulation to send us to overtime at a sold out Four Seasons Centre. A few minutes went by before Owatonna was called for tripping to give Red Wing a man advantage. The Chiefs won the draw and set up in the zone, working the puck along the boards. A Chief winger made a pass off the boards to his teammate in the corner and took off for the front of the net. The teammate gave a one touch pass back into the slot for the attacking winger who one timed a shot past the Owl goalie to send Red Wing to their first Super Series with a 3-2 overtime win.
Luverne Flying Dutchmen vs Burnsville Bucks
Burnsville is coming off their biggest win in franchise history, knocking out the Sioux Falls Packers. The Bucks seemed to have an extra jump in their step from the get go as they won races to loose pucks and overall were the better team in the first, leading 2-1 as a result. Luverne would tie it up and actually take a 3-2 lead in the second, but the Bucks tied it up on the powerplay at the end of the second to tie the game at 3. It was back an forth in the third with both teams getting some looks at goal, but it was the hot hand who ultimately came out on top as Burnsville tipped a shot past the Flying Dutchmen goalie to put the Bucks back in front. That would be the final score of the game as Burnsville held on to knock out Luverne 4-3 to make their first ever Super Series appearance despite coming in as the 15 seed in the south.
Apple Valley Cardinals vs Austin Mavericks
It was a sold out house at the Apple Valley Sports Arena as over 1,300 packed in to watch the Cardinals take on the Mavericks. Unfortunately for those fans on hand, the team did not get the message to show up. Austin had their way in nearly every aspect of the game, controlling the pace of the game and preventing Apple Valley from getting any rhythm going. When all was said and done the Mavericks came out on top, shutting out the Cardinals 3-0 on the road, outshooting them 37-18 in the process. Austin is heading back to the Super Series where they'll look to take home Kellogg Cup number 2.
Let me know what you think, comments are appreciated!
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1978 Kellogg Cup Super Series Preview - Playdowns
Red Wing Chiefs vs Northfield Outlaws
We have a pair of VHL teams in the 8-9 game as the Champs from Red Wing take on the Outlaws. Will red hot Red Wing keep it going in Bloomington? Or will the Outlaws steal a victory and advance?
Virginia Royals vs Burnsville Bucks
Champions of the Iron Range, Virginia, take on this years Cinderella Seed from Burnsville. The Bucks have taken down the top two teams from the Southwest, but many are wondering if they will be able to handle the drastic jump to IRHL champions. Is it hunting season for the Royals? Or will the Bucks keep defying the odds?
Coleraine Trout vs Duluth Voyageurs
Two northern teams taking on one another for the second time, the Voyageurs came out on top in their first round meeting 2 years ago, but Coleraine is looking much stronger than they were a couple seasons ago. Will the Trout keep their dream season alive? Or will Duluth paint the town blue?
Minnetonka Muskies vs Austin Mavericks
Tonka finally broke through and has made the Super Series, but all eyes will be on how the big stage effects them. Austin has been putting together another solid playoff run flying under the radar a bit. They return to the Super Series for the second year in a row and are in the same seed as they were a year ago when they reached the Semi Finals. Will the Muskies make it 4 twin city teams in the Great Eight? Or will the Mavericks sprinkle some more of their playoff magic and move on?
Let me hear your thoughts and predictions, comments are appreciated!
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I hope Burnsville pulls the Cinderella run off, the ideal matchup would be them against Austin. But a more realistic pick I'd like to see is Grand Forks vs Edina
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I know one of these years Edina is gonna win it all, (might be this year honestly), but I am feeling a Virginia Royals run this time. I see them over the Jets in the final!
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It is making me physically ill to type this, but I think the Cake Eaters are going to win. I don't see another team good enough to have a chance. Edina over Coleraine in the Final.
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I'm ready for total chaos with a Bucks-Voyageurs final.
#PAINTTHETOWNBLUE
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I'm rooting for the Jets and Waves here...and I think either one of them will end up beating the Eaters in the Final (in overtime)