The last time the Minnehaha Maulers were in the finals playing for a Rink Bandy championship the majority of their roster was in middle school. The 2002 Minnehaha Maulers lifted the Cannon Cup in a thrilling 11-10 victory over the Uptown Comets, Steve Nelson's powerhouse franchise of the late 90's and early 2000's. This latest batch of Maulers are hungrier than ever to hoist a Cup of their own, with Chris Halden as the only Mauler still on the roster from that championship 2002 team.. A decade later Haldo has his Maulers back into the final and looking like the favorite no matter who they face.

An exciting 6-3 victory in their semifinal match against Spanky’s United squad punched the Maulers ticket to the Final. Spanky’s, playing with a short bench, were led offensively by Jamie McBain and Michael Carman. However, the Maulers hit Spanky’s with waves of a high flying attack, simply too much to hold off. A snipe goal by Mike Morin in the last minute gave the Maulers a 4-1 cushion at halftime. Spanky’s goaltender Charlie Lindgrin, playing against some of his St. Cloud State University teammates, put on a dazzling show over the first fifteen minutes of the second half. Several highlight reel saves kept things interesting, and a tally by McBain brought Spanky’s within two, but that was as close as things came with the full-benched Maulers pulling away and gaining the decision.

The Maulers await the winner of the second semifinal between the Mississippi Mojo and Washburn Dynamo, which will be played Monday night, 8:00 PM at the Plymouth Ice Center. One thing is certain; no matter the results from here on out, we will have a first time Cannon Cup Champion.

Mike Hosfield and his MoJo have seen the finals two out of the previous three years, but the green franchise is still looking for its first championship. Hosfield and teammate Scott Arundel do have quite a bit of experience raising the Cannon Cup however, as they were part of the Gusty Bandyt/Brite Air Aviatior’s historic five straight championships from 05 – 09.

Dynamo Washburn stand very tall in the MoJo’s path to the final. The young core group of this team has been playing together for several years now, both rink bandy and outdoors on the big ice. Andrew and Peter Knutson, Ian Middlebrook, and Wyatt Wenzel are all current U.S. National players, with repeat Goalie of the Year Anders Jecha tending the nets behind them. This talent-laced squad is going to break through for a Cannon Cup sooner or later, and today they have the 2014 title fixed squarely in their sights.

The Cannon Cup Final is set for Tuesday, August 19th at 9:30PM at the Plymouth Ice Center, where a first time champion will be crowned. The official United States Rink Bandy League victory banquet will be held at Jake’s Grille in Plymouth, immediately following the final.