1991 Playoffs

Almost a year after their surprising trip to the finals in the spring of 1990, the Minnesota Lumberjacks were determined to make up for a mediocre regular season with another deep run in the playoffs. Facing Edmonton in the first round was a daunting challenge and the Northern Lights wasted no time taking a 3-1 series lead. Game four got nasty when Dwight Ingram violently threw Pavel Vana into the glass. A line brawl ensued with Clint Allen and Jason Crowley both trying to reach Ingram. Vana had a concussion and would miss game five, as would Ingram, who was suspended for two games. The hit seemed to spark the Lumberjacks, who won game five in overtime on a goal from Jacob Lundholm. Despite missing Vana once again for game six, the ‘Jacks managed a 2-0 win to force game seven. Both Vana and Ingram returned for game seven in Edmonton, which also went to overtime. Eight minutes into the extra period, Gary Clayton scored for Edmonton, putting an end to Minnesota’s comeback bid.

In other Western Conference action, the LA Wizards gave the St. Louis Spirits quite a scare, taking a 3-2 series lead before the Spirits stormed back to win in seven with David Appleby and Adam Lawless leading the way. Milwaukee dispatched the Chicago Shamrocks in six games, while Vancouver upset their Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle in a four-game sweep.

In the Eastern Conference, Boston played from behind early in their series against the Detroit Mustangs, losing game one at home then falling behind 2-1. Desperately needing a win in game four, Jason Luna provided the overtime winner as the Bulldogs tied the series. The would not look back, winning game five 4-0 and taking game six 4-1 to take the series. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Redshirts faced a tough series of their own against the Toronto Racers. The teams were tied 2-2 heading into game five with the home team winning every game. Game five would be tight, with the teams tied 3-3 heading towards what appeared to be a sure overtime when suddenly, Magnus Swedberg beat Tom Branson to give Philly a stunning 4-3 lead with 21 seconds left. The lead would hold as the Redshirts won game five to take a 3-2 series lead. Game six did go to overtime, where Gary Johnson’s point shot found the back of the net to send the Redshirts to the second round. In other action New York’s return to the post-season proved to be short-lived, as Vincent Ducharme and the Montreal Royale ousted the Civics in five games, while the defending champion Concordes swept the Nova Scotia Claymores in four straight.

For the fifth time in six season the Long Island Concordes would face the Boston Bulldogs in a playoff series. Boston had won three of the four matchups with Long Island winning the latest series a year earlier. The Concordes’ chances of beating their increasingly bitter rivals again looked very good when they found themselves ahead three games to two in what turned out to be an extremely physical series. Game six would be no different, as Long Island had an opportunity to close out the series at home. After the Concordes opened the scoring in game six, Boston went on to score four unanswered goals to send the series to a seventh and deciding game. As game six wound down, several fights broke out as tension between the two rivals finally boiled over. “We just wanted to play the right way and they insisted on mugging our guys every chance they got. It’s disappointing a team is allowed to play that way” said Long Island coach Cam Norton. Boston coach Gary Shantz was quick to respond; “If they were playing the ‘right’ way you’d think they would’ve won.” Game seven was close, tied 3-3 through two periods. Early in the third, Craig Bush gave Boston the lead with a scrappy goal in front of the net. Pascal Renaud protested, along with Norton and the rest of the Concordes, claiming he was interfered with. Nevertheless, the goal stood and minutes later, Kyle Boone added another one to give Boston a 5-3 win, sending them to the Eastern Conference finals. “I’m very disappointed” said Norton after game seven. “I guess this league just really didn’t want another repeat. It amazes me that we get officiating like this at this level.” Shantz once again responded; “I can’t believe that idiot’s name is on the friggin’ cup.”

Montreal continued to roll, sweeping Philadelphia in four straight. Vincent Durcharme once again led the way, scoring six goals in the series including a hat-trick in game four. St. Louis defeated Vancouver in five games with Adam Lawless continuing his strong play, playing on a line with Appleby and Grant Millen.

Edmonton faced another uphill climb facing Milwaukee in round two. After Edmonton won game one, the Choppers won the next three straight to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Facing elimination in game five, Edmonton needed a big game from their best players. Glen Childs, Dwight Ingram, and Gary Clayton each scored in a 3-2 win, extending the series. The Choppers were on their heels in game six, not wanting to return to Edmonton for a seventh game. Despite a two-goal effort from Travis Curry, the game went into overtime, tied 4-4. After Northern Lights’ goaltender Wes Simmons made several big saves to maintain the tie before rookie winger Joey Hamilton scored the winner to force the series to game seven. Edmonton won game seven 4-2 to complete the comeback and advance to the Western Conference Finals to face St. Louis.

The Northern Lights’ magic seemed to have finally run out in the Western Conference Finals, where they quickly found themselves down 3-1 to the St. Louis Spirits. In a must-win game five, former Washington General Tommy McGuire scored twice while Neil Nichols added another as Edmonton jumped to a 3-0 lead. In the third period, however, David Appleby showed yet another glimpse of his greatness, scoring a hat-trick to single-handedly bring the Spirits back and tie the game. Victory seemed certain for the Spirits heading into overtime, until Joey Hamilton struck again just two minutes into the extra frame to salvage the win for Edmonton. The thrilling win would prove to be too little too late, as a four-point effort from Adam Lawless in game six would help the Spirits to a decisive 5-2 win, and a trip to the Lewis Cup Finals for the fifth time in ten seasons.

The Spirits would have to wait until the following day to find out who they would face in their quest for number five, as the Montreal Royale led the Boston Bulldogs three games to two. Boston was in a similar position to Edmonton, coming off a big win in game five to prolong the series after facing a 3-1 deficit. Game six would be a wild one. Jari Pukki opened the scoring for Boston, rushing from end-to-end and beating almost everyone on the ice before flipping the puck over Victor Malmsten’s glove. Toward the end of the first period, Montreal responded with two quick goals from Ducharme and Trevor Ramsey to take the lead. That lead would only last until halfway through the second, when Jason Luna tied it with a beautiful backhand shot that went top shelf. Just over a minute into the third period, young enforcer Kyle Boone tipped a Dale Knight point shot to give Boston their second lead of the game. The Bulldogs valiantly held on to the lead entering the final moments of the game, with Ron Buckner making several spectacular stops, mostly with his glove. With just 23 seconds left, JC Girard finally beat Buckner with a hard wrist shot to tie the game and send it to overtime, where Ducharme quickly ended the contest with a wrister of his own. It was a coming-of-age moment for Ducharme and the Royale, as they jumped off the bench and mobbed their veteran goalie Malmsten in celebration. Five years after drafting Ducharme and six years after hiring Don Shelburne, the Royale would finally play for their first Lewis Cup in 23 years.