Lucky 7?

With the Timberwolves playing in game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals tomorrow, I thought it would be interesting to look back at and see how Minnesota teams have fared in decisive game 7's historically.  Minnesota teams have played in 20 Game 7's since 1952.  Here's how those games have unfolded.   

April 25, 1952

Minneapolis Lakers 82, New York Knicks 65.

The first game 7 ever in Minnesota sports history.  The Lakers were playing the New Your Knicks in their third NBA championship series in their first four years of existence.  The games in Minnesota were played at the St. Paul Auditorium, (Games 1, 2, & 5) and the Minneapolis Auditorium (Game 7).  This was not unusual as the Lakers never really had a permanent arena during their years in Minnesota.  The games in New York however were held at the 69th Regiment armory because a Circus had bumped the Knicks from Madison Square Garden. The Lakers were coached by Johnny Kundla and led on the court by future hall of famers  Jim Pollard, George Mikan, Slater Martin, and Verne Mikkelson.  Mikan averaged 21.7 points in the series and scored 22 in the decisive game 7. It was the Lakers 3rd title. 

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 1 - Opponents 0

April 12, 1954

Minneapolis Lakers 87, Syracuse Nationals 80.

The Series had opened at the Minneapolis Auditorium with both teams splitting games. Game 2 of the series was the first NBA finals game to be televised live nationally.  Here is some footage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiU6GgOr1Q0

Games 3, 4 and 5 were played  at Onondaga War Memorial Arena in Syracuse where the Lakers won two of the three games to take a 3-2 lead in the series.  With game 6 tied late in the 4th quarter, Syracuse’s Jim Neal heaved a 27 ft desperation shot with 3 seconds left to win steal the victory for the Nationals and force a game 7.  George Mikan averaged 18.1 points per game in the series, but game 7’s star was Jim Pollard who scored 21 points to lead the Lakers to their 6th and final title. 

Mikan retired after that season Because of injuries and wanting to spend more time with his family, Mikan retired after that season and did not play during the 1954-55 campaign.  He came out of retirement late in the 55-56 season, but he wasn’t the same player and following that season retired again.  This time for good. 

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 2 - Opponents 0

October 14, 1965

Los Angeles Dodgers 2, Minnesota Twins 0

After the Lakers Left, Minnesota was left without a major pro sports team. But in October 1960, Washington Senators owner Calvin Griffith talked other American League owners into allowing him to move his team to Minnesota.  On April 11, 1961, the Minnesota Twins played their  game at Metropolitan Stadium. 

In 1965, The Twins won the team’s first AL pennant.  Led by players like Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, Earl Battey, Jim ‘Mudcat’ Grant and Jim Kaat the Twins won 102 games in 1965, which is still today the most wins in Minnesota Twins history.  The American League champion Twins would face off against the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. 

Zoilo Versalles powered the Twins in game 1, going 2 for 5 with a 3 run homerun and 4 RBIs.  Jim ‘Mudcat’ Grant threw a complete game and contributed to the 8-2 victory by hitting 1 for 3 with a double, and scored 2 runs.  

In game 2, the Twins broke a scoreless tie in the 6th inning when Tony Oliva hit double to left field, scoring Zoilo Versalles.  Harmon Killebrew would then single to score Oliva, giving the Twins a 2-0 lead.  Twins pitcher Jim Kaat threw a complete game but also hit 1 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and the Twins ended up winning 5-1. 

Games 3, 4, & 5 were all held in Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.  The Twins lost all 3 games, being held to only 2 runs in 27 innings by the Dodger Pitchers, Claude Osteen, Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax who all threw complete game shutouts. 

The Twins bounced back in game 6 with the help of Mudcat Grant who held the Dodgers to 1 run in addition to hitting a homerun in the Twins 5-1 win.  Bob Allison also hit a 2-run homerun.  

Game 7 was dominated by Dodger ace Sandy Koufax, who was “practically unhittable” according to Sid Hartman.  Pitching on only 2 days rest, Koufax threw a complete game, 3 hit shutout, to clinch the Series.  In addition to Koufax’s heroics in Game 7, the series may have hinged on a diving stop by Dodger third baseman Junior Gilliam.  With the Twins down 2-0 in the 5th, runners on first and second and 1 out, Zoilo Versalles hit a hard shot down the third base line.  Had Gilliam not made a miraculous stop it might have scored 2 runs and gotten the Twins back in the game.    

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 2 - Opponents 2

April 18, 1968

Minnesota North Stars 9, Los Angeles Kings 4. 

In 1967 Minnesota was granted an expansion franchise in the NHL.  Eventually named the North Stars, the team was one of 6 expansion franchises that would compete in a Western Division, while the “Original 6” teams would compete in the Eastern Division.  In their first season the North Stars finished with a losing record and in 4th place in the division.  But because the top 4 teams qualified for the playoffs, the North Stars would face the Los Angeles Kings in the Quarter Finals.   

The first 2 games were played at the Forum in Los Angeles. The North Stars lost the first game, 2-1 with the only goal being scored by Dave Balon, and were shutout 2-0 in game 2. 

Game 3 would be back in Minnesota.  It had originally been scheduled for Monday April 8th, but on the morning of April 4th 1968, Civil rights leader Martin Luther King was killed at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis Tennessee.  In observance of a national mourning, all games for Monday April 8th were postponed. 

Down two games to none, game 3 would be played on April 9, 1968 at Met Center.  The North Stars won 7-5 in a wild one that saw 6 goals in the first period.   Six different North Stars scored in the game with Billy Collins scoring 2 goals.

Game 4 was a bit tighter.  The Kings scored 2 in the first 5 minutes of the game, but Minnesota Scored 3 unanswered by Ray Cullen, Mike McMahon and Dave Balon to even the series at 2. 

Back in LA for game 5, Minnesota got down early on 2 goals by the Kings’ Gord Labossiere. Wayne Connelly would get Minnesota on the board with 2 goals in the third, but the 3-2 loss put the North Stars on the verge of elimination.

It was back to Met Center for a thriller game 6.  Down 3-1 in the third, Bill Goldsworthy scored 7 minutes into period to make it 3-2.  With just over 3 minutes left, Bob McCord tied the game at 3 sending it to overtime.   Nine minutes into the extra session, the game winning goal was scored by an unlikely hero, Milan Marcetta.  His goal evened the series at 3 and forced a decisive game 7 back in Los Angeles.

An offensive explosion sealed the series Victory for the North Stars in game 7.  After leading 3-1 in the first period, the Kings would score early in the second to make it 3-2, but the North stars scored 5 unanswered goals. Bill Goldsworthy, Parker MacDonald and Milan Marcetta each had 2 goals in this game.  The 9-4 victory clinched the series and vaulted the unlikely North Stars in the  Division Final against the St. Louis Blues. 

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 3 - Opponents 2

May 3, 1968

St. Louis Blues 2, North Stars 1 (Double OT)

This series was unique in that St Louis would host 5 games due to scheduling conflicts at Met Center with the ice follies. 

Game 1 was held at St Louis Arena. The North Stars were leading 2-1 in the second period when referee Bill Friday called a controversial hooking penalty on Bob McCord causing Minnesota to be down 2 players.  St Louis scored two power play goals and took a 3-2 lead and eventually won 5-3.

Game 2 would be the first of 4 games to go to overtime in the series.  Down 1-0 at the beginning of the third period, Milan Marcetta scored his 4th goal in 4 games to tie it up.  After St Louis retook the lead, Bill Goldsworthy tied it back up with 13 minutes left.  Parker MacDonald gave the north stars a 3-2 victory 3:41 into  overtime

The Next 3 games would be in St Louis.  With the home schedule in Blues favor the North stars would need to steal one of these 3 games – Which they did, winning game 3,  5-1.  Milan Marcetta scored again and Bill Goldsworthy had 2 goals.

Game 4 was a heartbreaker and might have taken the wind out of the North Stars sails.  Minnesota blew a 3-0 third period lead the last of which, St Louis scored with an extra attacker and 11s left in the game.  A minute and a half into OT, Dickie Moore scored the game winner to steal the victory for St Louis. 

Cesar Maniago had one of the best performances of his career in Game 5, stopping 46 consecutive shots at one point, but Minnesota lost 3-2, again in overtime, before heading back to Met Center for game 6.   

Facing elimination, the North Stars won game 6, 5-1 and put the North Stars one more win away from advancing to the Stanley cup Final. 

he decisive game 7 was held at the St Louis Arena.  With the game scoreless late in the third period,

Minnesota’s Walt McKechnie broke the tie with 3:11s left in the game. Thirty seconds later, St Louis’ Dickie Moore the equalizer, and the game headed to overtime.   Three minutes into the second overtime,. St Louis’ Ron Shock got a breakaway and took a shot that beat Maniago on his lower right, ending the North Stars unexpected playoff run and Inaugural season. 

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 3 - Opponents 3

April 16, 1972

St. Louis Blues 2, North Stars 1 (OT)

Gump Worsely shut out the Blues in game 1 with the North Stars winning 3-0 at Met Center. 

In Game 2, Bill Goldsworthy scored the game winning goal in overtime to win 6-5 and take a 2-0 series lead.

The north Stars struggled on the road that season and Game 3 in St Louis held to form.  Jude Drouin scored the only goal in a 2-1 loss. 

Game 4 hinged on a controversial call that may have changed momentum in the series. 

With the north stars leading 2-0 in the second period, a second effort by JP Parise forced blues goalie Jacques Caron to carry the puck into the net.  But referee John Ashley said he had blown the whistle before the puck had crossed the line.  The Blues scored 3 straight goals after that and evened up the series. 

Game 5 saw another exciting finish.  Down 3-2 in the third, JP Parise tied the game 3 minutes into the period and Jude Drouin scored what would be the game winner a few minutes later. 

In game 6, Bill Goldsworthy played through the flu and scored to even the game at 1 in the first period.  

Gump Worsely was knocked out when the Blues Bob Plager slammed into him and hit his head on the goal post.  Cesare Maniago replaced Worsely but the North Stars played from behind the whole game and ended up losing 4-2.  

Reminiscent of 1968, Game 7 went to overtime and this time it was Kevin O'Shea who scored on Cesare Maniago for the 2-1 victory, ending the North Stars season. 

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 3 - Opponents 5

April 27, 1980

North Stars 3, Montreal Canadiens 2

This series is unique in that is the ONLY 7 game series in Minnesota sports history where the Home team lost the first 4 games.  It’s also the reason I started writing this blog, because the Timberwolves (as of 6 games) have followed this same pattern with game 7 looming tomorrow.

The Montreal Canadiens were the defending Stanley Cup Champions in 1980.  In fact they had won the previous 4 seasons and 10 of the last 15.  So going into the Montreal forum and beating the Canadien juggernaut was no easy task. 

Working in the North Stars favor was that their backup goalie, Gilles Meloche had grown up a few miles from the Montreal forum.  After Goalie Gary Edwards had gotten injured in the previous series, Meloche made his first ever NHL playoff start, shutting out his hometown team in a 3-0 North Stars Victory.  The North Stars also won game 2, with Meloche only giving up one goal. 

The Canadiens returned the favor to Minnesota in Games 4 and 5, outscoring the North Stars 10-1.  They also outscored the north Stars 6-2 in game 5 back in Montreal. 

Series over right?  Not so fast.

Down 1-0 early in game 6, the North Stars went on a 5 goal spree in the 2nd period, winning 5-2, and forcing a game 7 back in Montreal. 

After 2 periods of game 7, the North Stars led 2-1 on goals from Tim Younghans and Craig Hartsburg.  But early in the third Rod Langway scored the equalizer.  With a minute and a half left in regulation, Steve Payne tipped  a Bobby Smith pass into Montral Goaltender Denis Herron and Al Macadam put back the rebound giving the North Stars a 3-2 lead. That goal would prove to be the series winner, and the North Stars advanced to the Conference Semifinals. 

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 4 - Opponents 5

April 22, 1984

North Stars 4, St. Louis Blues  3 (OT)

After finally beating the Blackhawks and exorcising their playoff demons in the previous series, the North Stars were set to face St. Louis in the Division Finals. 

Game 1 was a Low scoring affair. Mark Napier, scored for Minnesota in the second period. St Louis’ Pat Hickey tied it in the third, and 2 minutes later Dino Ciccarelli scored what would end up being the game winner. 

Game was on Friday the 13th. The North Stars led 3-1 in the 2nd period on goals from Dennis Maruk, Craig Levie and Willi Plett.  But St Louis scored 2 third period goals to tie it up and Doug Gilmore scored in overtime to complete the come from behind victory.

The Blues led Game 3 the whole way. The north Stars only goal was scored by Dennis Maruk in the 3-1 loss. 

The North Stars struck back in game 4, winning 3-2 on goals By Keith Acton, Brian Bellows and Tom McCarthy. 

Game 5 was Back at Met Center and it was all North Stars with Don Beaupre earning the 6-0 shutout stopping 29 shots. 

Game 6 in St Louis was just the opposite.  Facing elimination, Blues goaltender Mike Liut shut out the north stars 4-0.

In the first period of game 7 Willi Plett and Brian Sutter put each team on the board. 

In the third period Gordie Roberts scored for Minnesota but Jorgen Pettersson and Mark Reeds answered to put St Louis up by 1.  With just over 5 minutes left, Willi Plett scored the equalizer and the game went to overtime.  Minnesota’s had a history of bad luck in game 7 overtimes vs St. Louis, but this time the stars aligned and Steve Payne scored series winner 6 minutes into the extra session.

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 5 - Opponents 5

May 26, 1986

San Diego Soccers 5, Minnesota Strikers 3

The Minnesota Strikers had moved here from Florida in 1983 and originally played in the NASL outdoor soccer league.  When that league folded the Strikers joined the Major Indoor Soccer League, (MISL) playing their home games at Met Center.  With notable names like Tino Letteiri, and Alan Willey, the Strikers made the playoffs every season they played in the MISL, before folding in June of 1988. 

This 1986 series was notable for a few reasons.  It was the only championship the Strikers ever played in.  Also, the Strikers had a 3-1 series lead and still lost.  AND, as the Star Tribune put it, the Strikers had "joined the club” of Minnesota teams in losing a championship. 

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 5 - Opponents 6

April 4, 1990.

Chicago Blackhawks 5, North Stars 2

Game 1 was at Chicago stadium.  North Stars won 2-1 on two goals from Brian bellows. 

The North Stars jumped out to a 3 -0  lead in game 2 with power play goals in a 3 minute span by Bellows, Shawn Chambers And Neal Broten. Chicago pulled Greg Millen in favor of Ed Belfour and the second period was all Chicago. The Blackhawks scored 4 goals, 2 on the power play and one shorthanded.  Leading to the 5-3 Chicago victory.  The two teams racked up 183 penalty minutes in that game 114 in the second period alone. The 106 minutes against Minnesota was a team record. 

Game 3 was back at Met Center and a controversial disallowed goal was the story of the game.  Down 1-0 the North Stars struck back with a Dave Gagner goal, or so they thought.  The goal light went off, but the judge said he wasn’t sure if it went over the line.  The replay showed that the puck appeared to go over the line but the goal was not counted.  Chicago won 2-1 and also took a 2-1 lead in the series. 

Game 4 was all Minnesota.  Don Barber scored 2 first period goals, and Chicago pulled Millen in favor of Belfour.  Basil McRae added a 2nd period goal and Dave Gagner scored in the third. John Casey stopped 29 shots in the 4-0 victory that evened up the series at 2 games each.

The Black hawks jumped out to the 3 -0 lead in game 5 .  There was another disallowed goal that again on replay looked like it may have been over the line.  Chicago won 5-1 and Brian Bellows was credited with Minnesota’s only goal.

Facing elimination, the north stars returned home to Met Center for game 6 and knocked Chicago goalie Greg Millen out of the game in the first period after he gave up 3 goals.   Minnesota scored 2 more on Belfour in the second period, putting the game out of reach, winning 5-3 and forcing a game 7 back in Chicago. 

With the series on the line, Game 7 was played at Chicago Stadium on April 16th.  The North Stars scored first on a Don Barber Power play goal.  Keith Brown and Denis Savard were both given game misconducts for high sticking but the north Stars failed to take advantage of the 5 on 3. 

It just wasn’t Jon Casey’s night.   Wayne Presley scored 2 goals within a minute of each other to give Chicago the lead in the 2nd period.  Jeremy Roenick added two more.

Ulf Dahlen scored for Minnesota midway through the third but it wasn’t enough.  Chicago won 5-2 , ending the North Stars season. 

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 6 - Opponents 7

October 27, 1991

Minnesota Twins 1, Atlanta Braves 0

Much like the 1987 World Series, the home team was victorious in every game.  Games 1 and 2 were at the Metrodome.  Jack Morris pitched 7 innings giving up 2 runs, and Greg Gagne hit a 3 run home run in the 5-2 Twins victory. 

Game 2 brought controversy when Ron Gant did not slide trying to get back to first base. Some argue he overran the base, some argue he was pulled off by Kent Hrbek.  Either way, he was out.  In the 8th inning, Scott Leius hit a lead off home run off Tom Glavine to give the Twins a 3-2 victory.  Kevin Tapani pitched 8 inning giving up 2 runs. 

Games 3 and 4 in Atlanta, were both one run games with the Twins on the losing end of that margin, but game 6 was a blowout in favor of Atlanta.

And then there was game 6.  With the game tied at 3 in the bottom of the 11th inning, Kirby Puckett hit a lead off home run, forcing a game 7, and Jack Buck to exclaim “And we’ll see you tomorrow night!”

In Game 7 Jack Morris pitched 10 scoreless innings and with the game tied and 0-0 in the bottom of the 10th, Dan gladden led off with a double.  Chuck Knoblauch bunted him to third.  Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek were intentionally walked to load the bases.  With the outfield playing in, Gene Larkin singled over the head of the left fielder scoring Dan Gladden from third, winning the world series for the second time in 5 years.

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 7 - Opponents 7

April 30, 1992

Detroit Red Wings 5, Minnesota North Stars 2

This series was notable in that the playoffs were delayed due to a player strike that threatened to cancel the rest of the season.  Also, it was only the 9th time in NHL History that a team had lost a series after being up 3-1. 

Losses weren’t the only thing the North Stars were avoiding in games 1 and 2 in Detroit, which octopus and squid being thrown on the ice by Detroit fans. 

The North Stars jumped out 2-0 in game 3 forcing Detroit to change goalies.  The North Stars took their foot off the gas a bit and pulled back into defensive mode. Detroit took advantage and scored the tying goal with 3 minutes left and then scored again a minute into overtime.  Also, a Minnesota fan threw a walleye on the ice. 

In game 4 Detroit, jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first, but Minnesota would come back and score 3 goals in the 2nd period and one in the 3rd to win 5-4.   

Game 5 and 6 The north stars were shut out 3-0, 1-0 respectively, forcing a game 7. 

In Game 7 Detroit was up 3-0 before Minnesota would get on the board on a Brian Bellows 3rd period goal.  It was 188 minutes since their last goal in the series.  Detroit went on to win 5-2

Game 7 Totals: Minnesota 7 - Opponents 8

May 28, 2021

Las Vegas Golden Knights 6, Minnesota Wild 2. 

The Golden Knights are and expansion franchise who began playing in the NHL in 2017 and had immediate success, going to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and several playoff appearances since, including a Stanley Cup victory in 2023.  In 2021, They finished 1st in the West Division and were matched up against the Minnesota Wild in the first round quarter finals.  The favored Golden Knights got up 3-1 in the series but the Wild fought back winning game 5 in Vegas.  They also won game 6 at home with Wild goalie Cam Talbot earning the shutout. 

Game 7 was back in Vegas.  The score was tied 2-2 early in the 2nd period when Vegas scored 4 unanswered goals and put the game and the series away. 

Final Score: Minnesota 11 - Opponents 9

So what does all this tell us?  Does it give us any insight into Wolves/Nuggets Game 7? 

No. Of course not.  But what it does tell us is that Minnesota sports are very unpredictable and ANYTHING can happen, good or bad.  

As always, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.  But also, and most importantly, it reminds us to enjoy the ride, because this doesn't happen for Minnesota sports fans that often.  

#WolvesBack.