Round 1, Game #4: Aeros vs. Peoria -- The No Quote Edition

My recorder failed on me after the game -- much like Houston's defense and goal keeping failed during the game -- so this is going to be a kind of recap and impressions post.

Last week, I predicted the Aeros would win this series in six games. And I'm keeping to that prediction, but I wrote that the key to the series, the reason the Aeros would win, was the presence of Krys Kolanos every night. The Aeros lost tonight by the score 4-3, so it appears that the offense didn't miss Kolanos and were more doomed by the poor play of Anton Khudobin and the defense that was backing him. And I agree that there's some validity to that. But to me, from my spot in the press box, the Aeros just seem to be a different team when Kolanos is out of the lineup.

The guys tried to attack Manny Legace and the Peoria defense in the first period, just as they would were Kolanos around, but the guys appeared to be afraid to shoot the puck when they had shots. And often, it appeared that their passes were going to where they thought Kolanos would be on the ice, only it wasn't Kolanos, it was one of the Rivermen.

The sloppiness didn't help Anton Khudobin in the net. Khudobin was solid in the previous two games because the team played tight hockey with a minimum of errors, especially in front of Khudobin. And they kept the ice open in front of Khudobin. Then again, that first Peoria goal should have never happened, but it appeared that Khudobin wasn't paying attention and never saw the puck.

But it was the Aeros who literally had the best scoring chance of the night at about 16:10 of the first when Benoit Pouliot broke free with Jesse Schultz and Matt Beaudoin trailing. Pouliot passed to Schultz and Manny Legace went with Schultz. Schultz passed back to a streaking Beaudoin who had one of the most open nets I've ever seen that didn't include an empty-net, and missed the shot.

The Aeros actually grabbed the lead with some excellent play in the second. Paul Albers fired a shot from the point at 5:32 which Tony Hrkac tipped past Legace to tie the game. And on the power play at 7:58, Tomas Mojzis fired a shot that got past Legace and made the score 2-1.

But then came the type of play that only the Three Stooges could love. Mitch Love went to the box for holding at 11:19. Max Noreau went to the box for cross-checking at 15:53. And while on that power play, Peoria tied up the game. Then at 18:05 Corey Locke went to the box for cross-checking. And at 18:13 Peoria took the 3-2 lead.

Khudobin came out the 5:46 mark of the third after he allowed Peoria's fourth goal. And the Aeros scored at 15:21 when Jesse Schultz tipped in the rebound of a Matt Beaudoin shot to make the score 4-3. But that was it.

Game Five is set for Wednesday night at 7:05.

SOME MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:

Kevin Constantine said that Anton Khudobin just looked as if he never got in rhythm during the game. We didn't press Constantine on this, but I think we'll see Khudobin on Wednesday. The team's proven it can win with Khudobin in the goal, but the team has to play better in front of him. And in my opinion, the team in front of Khudobin just didn't look very good. They looked to be just as out of rhythm, on offense and defense, as Khudobin did in goal.

As to Nolan Schaefer, he's still be evaluated on a daily basis. Barry Brust is a definite no go for this series, but Constantine says Schaefer is rehabbing every day in an attempt to get back.

Krys Kolanos missed tonight's game due to flu-like symptoms. I would think he would be available come Wednesday, but even if he is, I wouldn't expect him to be at full strength as I was told he had been very ill.

That's it from me tonight. Heather and Andrew and Fred should be along soon.