Aeros 3, Quad City Flames 1

Tuesday night the Aeros allowed the first goal of the game (like the so often do) and then powered their way to a big 3-1 win over the Quad City Flames.

What made this game especially nice to watch was the grace they used to score three five on five goals, something the team has not done since last February. While that last stat was made up, the three five-on-five goals were not. Yeah, and the grace part was pure fiction. Basically, save for the first Aeros goal,it looked like two teams trying to play racquetball on ice.

On an night were both teams were huffing and puffing off the ice due to the unusually warm temperature at ice level, the Aeros took advantage of their tired opponents and put the game away with three unanswered goals.

Benoit Pouliot's goal was a beaut, and the assists from Jesse Schultz and Corey Locke were equally impressive. Kolanos did his thing in the second period for the game-winner and Paul Albers beat a screened Leland Irving in the closing minutes to ice the game.

I did not have a good feeling about the Aeros tonight due to the Aeros history this season in games against the Flames. But then I forgot about Quad City having to play their fourth game in five days. Post game, Kevin Constantine acknowledged the team's shortcomings against the Flames, but said it might have something to do with the number of times the Aeros had to play in Quad City on a travel day.

For those that don't know, to get to Quad City, you have to get on a bus to get to an airport. Then you fly from that airport to the Great Airport of the Northern Hemisphere (otherwise known as O'Hare) and then you have to wait for another bus. When you get on that bus, you have to ride on it for three hours or so into Moline. Then you get to play a hockey game.

Tonight, not surprisingly, the Aeros had no sympathy. They took advantage of their tired foes and got a much needed win.

First Star - Krys Kolanos. His game winning goal took the proverbial wind out of the Flames' sails.

Second Star - Benoit Pouliot. What a great, great goal. Lots of hitting. This guy is playing really good hockey right now.

Third Star - David Van der Gulik. Not sure I agree with this selection, but he did give the Flames a chance to win tonight. Personally, I would have gone with Paul Albers who was a team-high tying plus two and scored on his only shot of the game.

-- Aeroscribe