Aeros 3, Quad City Flames 1

Andrew and John covered the game well with their words. I would only add that the Aeros had many good chances to score, some on open nets, that they failed to capitalize on. If you want to take the "half-full" viewpoint that means they are doing good things and the goals will come.

I'll add a few photos to illustrate some points already made.

Here is the QC goal by Brandon Roach. It appeared that Schaefer may have been screened on the shot and it beat him glove side. I think it might have squirted between his arm and body or gone in off the outside of his arm.. You can see the puck as it is about to cross the goal line.

Here are a few shots of the Benoit Pouliot goal that tied the game at 1. This was a rocket from Pouliot that beat Irving stick side and came right back out of the net on the glove side. Great pass from Schultz. What you don't see is the Aeros had great spacing on this one. Schultz was coming up the middle with Pouliot on his left and Locke was coming hard on the right. Irving had to respect all 3 and I think the spacing on this play really helped to open the spot for Benoit who nailed it.

Add a little head rub from Jesse Schultz and you have a pretty nice goal to tie the game.

Kolanos had another goal that was in and out in a hurry. Here you see a dejected Irving with the puck already out of the net and Kolanos doing his fist pump.

Matt Beaudoin celebrates with Kolanos

Nolan Schaefer had some big saves on the night.

Here are a few shots of one example of the kind of "near misses" the Aeros had. In this one Kris Kolanos had a fantastic wrap around chance in the third period. Corey Locke is tied up out front and Leland Irving has no chance on the play. Unfortunately Kolanos was not able to get it to go in and is sailed through the crease.

Here is your first star - Krys Kolanos

And your second star - Benoit Pouliot

I'll throw in a Paul Albers celebration too. Lost in the 6-1 debacle vs Rockford was an awesome goal from Paul Albers. Here is the celebration of the goal with Matt Kassian and Mitch Love swooping in for a group hug.


All photos : Fred Trask