In Game: Aeros at San Antonio

Middle 3
Aeros 2, Rampage 2

Aeros a slight edge in shots and chances here in the third because of two power plays, but not it feels like it is only a matter of time before the Rampage score the game-winner and finish with an empty netter.

The Aeros seem to be fading as each period wears on.

Who knows ...
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End 2
Aeros 2, Rampage 2

The Aeros had a good chance to take the lead at the end of the second on a power play, but Noreau missed just wide and Marco Rosa (again) could not control a rebound at the bottom of the near circle and whiffed on a "shot" ...

You have to give the team credit for playing hard tonight with many regulars out. Lundbohm has been good, for example, but Dane Crowley, should he ever get a replay of that shot he threw "toward" the net at the end of the second period tonight, will want to burn the video. Update on that shot ... it did land somewhere in San Antonio.

When tied after two, the Aeros are 9-6-1-2, so a decent chance of them getting a point. San Antonio is an even 5-5-0-2 when tied after two, and they won 3-1 the last time these two teams played here back in March. The Aeros and Rampage were tied 1-1 in that one, and Garth Murray beat Khudobin high into the net for the game-winner.

This does not matter now, but this is how big Sullivan's tying goal was. The Rampage are 2-30-1-2 when trailing after two, and the Aeros are 21-4-0-2.

Ouch, boys.


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last Promo Timeout, 2nd
Aeros 2, Rampage 2

Aeros are starting to fade, as the Rampage have scored two including Sean Sullivan's tying goal just four second into a power play. Four secnods. Anton was screened, but the Aeros were lazy on the faceoff and did not challenge the puck. Watch the video boys, that is one you will want back.

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First Promo T/O, Second
Aeros 2, Rampage 1

The Aeros took a 2-0 lead with Lammers 12th of the season on Houston's third power play of the night, but the Rampage made it 2-1 just over three minutes later when Simon Ferguson picked a perfect spot against Khudobin.

Actually, it was a sweet goal by Ferguson who was unmarked for some reason in the slot.

Aeros being severly outplayed since about a minute after the Lammers goal.

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Start of second
Aeros 1, Rampage 0

Rampage will start the period with a 16-second power play.
Classiest move of the intermission: Aeros fan pushed into swimming pool while rolling a tire in his backyard. I am not sure what part of that video was more disturbing, but I got a quick (horrible) shot of the Aeros fans' reaction to it.

TRUST me, they were livid.
OK, so most of them were in the beer line.


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End 1,
Aeros 1, Rampage 0

Aeros stars of the first period are Noreau for his 14th goal of the season on the Aeros' first shot of the game and Bryan Lundbohm, who has been a monster on the penalty kill. The Aeros are taking too many penalties, and they will have to stay out of the box to have a shot for the rest of the game.

Aeros with 8 shots, San Antonio with four, so Aeros carrying the pace right now.
Expect San Antonio to realize they need to play better. If the Aeros do the same, and keep things simple, they will have a shot with many regulars out of the lineup.

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Third media timeout --
Aeros 1, San Antonio 0

Aeros 0 for 2 on PP, but second one was much better with two good scoring chances.
Beaudoin just missed giving the Aeros a 2-0 lead but his shot went wide right.

Madsen now in the box for slashing. SAT PP No. 2
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Second Media Timeout --
Aeros 1, Rampage 0

Both teams scoreless on the power play; San Antonio with two scoring chances, Aeros with one.
I must say that I am impressed with the two bus loads of Aeros fans that are VERY loud and into the game ...

Aeros on the PP now.

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First media Timeout --

The Aeros got on the board on their first shot (at 2:06) when Max Noreau took control of a turnover and waited for Bryan Lundbohm to move right in front of Tordjman. Before that goal, Tordjman had not allowed a goal at home since Christmas. No, just kidding, but it was a long time.

Love and Frank attempt to fight, but Love never got positioning and was wrestled to the ice.
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Starters and Scratches --
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Aeros really mailing this one in to prevent injury.
Out tonight are Mojzis, Stoner, Schultz, Adams, Pouliot (No!), Rogers and Kolanos (?)
Starting for the Aeros in the Hrkac, Earl, Irmen line.
Defensemen are Falk and Noreau.
Khudobin starting in goal, backed up by Centuomo (of the Laredo Centuomos)

Regular lineup in for the Rampage tonight. Only notable not playing is #22 (and former Aero) Jeff Hoggan.

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The drive over was uneventful, save for the customary stop at Buccees in Luling.
Definitely not as busy as per the usual, but then again, it's Easter weekend and severe storms are on the way.

Heather, Fred and I rode over in the Poo Train (e-mail the blog for details) and it took us 2:30 including the stop, so not too bad.

Last night Constantine, who is coaching what I now think is his last regular season road game for the Aeros, said he is going to rest some guys tonight meaning the new kids (Marco Scandella and JP Testwuild) are going to get some minutes tonight. I think Dane Crowley is going to get some time too.

Either way, this is the first time the Aeros are playing what is realistically a meaningless game in a long time, and the urgency clearly will not be there. Sure, the team can still clinch the No. 3 seed, but that gives them one day less before the playoffs start against a team that is playing as well as any in the AHL right now. I think, deep down, the Aeros and their coaches would probably rather take their chances with a Milwaukee team that will soon get a few disappointed players back from Nashville ... but in this case, it's pick your poison.

The general consensus tonight is a blowout win for the home team. The Rampage are gunning for wins in the last two games because they want to finish with a .500 record. San Antonio has won a franchise-tying record six straight games and are one of the best teams in the league since Dec. 1.

Just for shites and giggles, the three of us threw out some *cough* predictions of what we think the final score could be tonight.

Aeroscribe -- I think the Aeros allow two in the first and it just gets worse from there. My call is 7-2 (in regulation, ha!)

Mr. Fred -- Calls this a crap game, and that the team will be disjointed, clumsy and tentative due to all the new guys and non-regulars in the lineup.

Ms. Conducts -- simply said something ridiculous will happen tonight. Information on this team is useless, she added. "Who knows which Aeros team is going to show up tonight?" Heather refuses to predict the score.