Sockers Meet Storm . . . but First, Here’s Kermit : MISL playoffs: Tonight, after the gang from Sesame Street clears out, the defending champions will try to rekindle their post-season magic.

Back in 1968, an NBC technician punched the start button on the children’s movie “Heidi” and chopped off the end of a nationally televised NFL game between the Oakland Raiders and the New York Jets.

Both the nation’s and the stations’ phone lines darn near exploded. It is now remembered simply as “The Heidi Game.”

Twenty-two years later, the MISL is paying a tribute of sorts to that monumental event.

Call it “The Sesame Street Game.”

This is the deal: The two-time defending champion Sockers are playing host to the St. Louis Storm in the first round of the playoffs, a best-of-five series to determine Dallas’ opponent for the Western Division championship. Game 1 is tonight at 8:35. That’s an hour later than usual.

It seems a bunch of the Sesame Street gang, including such favorites of 3-year-olds as Grover and the Cookie Monster, will be putting on a show called “Silly Dancing” this afternoon, and the crew needs extra time to set up the arena.

If it comes as a surprise that a professional playoff game is being put on hold by Sesame Street, keep in mind that this is the MISL, the league in which George Fernandez, an all-star defender, makes $10,000 less a year than the Cleveland Indians paid Bob Feller in 1940.

So what about this late start and all, George?

“Well, it’s just the way it is,” he said. “There are so many things you have to go through during the season. It’s going to be a little late. I’ll just drink more coffee or something.”

There you have it. One other thing before moving on to more pressing issues. Socker owner Ron Fowler has not invited Ernie and Bert to sit with him in the VIP box as had previously been rumored.

Big Bird could not be reached for comment.

About the game:

As usual, the playoffs couldn’t come at a better time for the Sockers (25-27), who have won nine of 15 since trading Zoran Karic to the Cleveland Crunch for Paul Wright. Because of Wright’s ability to cover ground, the team has been able to open up its game and turn Branko Segota loose.

Segota, the leading scorer with 27 goals and 34 assists, hasn’t been consistent lately but has shown flashes of the skills that make him one of the league’s most dangerous players. Segota is usually at his best for the playoffs, which he calls “money time.”

Forward Damir Haramina, virtually a nonentity for much of the season because of a series of nagging injuries, was suddenly magnificent in the last two regular season games and could give the Sockers a tremendous lift offensively. Socker Coach Ron Newman said he is also looking for more offense from defender Kevin Crow, who scored a career-high 21 goals last season but finished this season with just eight.

A little bickering and fighting with each other never hurt these guys, either. That’s exactly what they’ve been doing this week. After practice Wednesday, several players voiced displeasure about a film session called by Newman at the last minute.

And behold the practices. Nobody’s shins have been sacred. So concerned was Newman with the intensity level that he chose not to have five-on-five scrimmages for fear the injury list would swell.

“It does get so intense sometimes that somebody could get hurt,” Newman said. “They’re as competitive among themselves as they are against other teams. Sometimes more so. They can be very sarcastic with each other.”

The return of defender Cacho, who missed the past two games with a left knee strain, should bolster the defense, though Newman found he has a solid understudy in Arturo Velazco.

St. Louis (24-28), which won the regular season series, 5-3, could frustrate the Sockers with patience and ability to keep possession of the ball. Led by forward Thompson Usiyan (27 goals, 25 assists), the Storm will have to overcome losing the home-field advantage when they were defeated by Dallas in their season finale, and the Sockers defeated Tacoma. That was a big deal: The Sockers were 6-20 on the road this season.

Despite his unmatched success, Newman isn’t exactly at ease entering his ninth consecutive playoffs, seven of which have ended with indoor titles.

“I can’t say it’s enjoyable,” he said. “It’s the hardest part of the season. It’s a worrying time.”

That his track record is so good is of little consequence. Newman is still worried, because he has yet to see the Sockers perform with the consistency of past teams. Only the playoffs will tell if this version is capable of lifting its game in the traditional manner.

“I think people think there’s some magic there, that the Sockers are always the Sockers. We’re just a team. Maybe we’ll stink the place out in the playoffs. We’re in a position a lot of other teams are in. We’ve got to hope the refs aren’t going to be too mean to us.”

Series Notes

The Sockers placed midfielder Rene Ortiz (knee surgery) on the disabled list Friday. Veteran forward Steve Zungul (arthritic hips) and rookie defender Don Cogsville (knee surgery) are also on the disabled list, and midfielder Ben Collins (right fore foot sprain) is out. Peter Hattrup, a forward from the American Indoor Soccer Assn., was signed to a 15-day contract for use in emergency situations. . . . In goal, Victor Nogueira (11-13, 3.61 goals-against average) or Zoltan Toth (14-13, 3.48 GAA) will start. . . . Former Socker Fernando Clavijo, a defender, finished third on the Storm in blocks with 74 and tied for fourth in points with 17 goals and 18 assists. . . . In goal, Slobo Ilijevski (17-14, 3.56 GAA) or David Brcic (7-14, 4.11 GAA) will start.