See, it can happen

I was really sold when Tom Lynn told me there is a strong belief from the "Top of the organization" down to the stick boys that this Aeros team could make a good run in the postseason. But then they crapped their pants when they were not able to deal with schedule issues and goaltending injuries.

I believe the Aeros use those perfectly legitimate excuses to counter adversity, but I don't say that I blame them. If I had to play 11 games in 12 days, or whatever the hell they did, I'd do a crappy job too ... especially if they were all on the road. I also note a difference in the team's defensive play when Anton is in goal. They are more tentative; faceoffs percentage goes down, the number of odd-man rushes go up, for example. Statistically, Barry Brust has been the Aeros best goalie this year, and he won't get a start in the 2009 playoffs tournament.

Stranger things have happened, but the odds are against them as far as getting out of the first or second round. Since the Aeros came back from the dead in 1994, only TWO AHL teams have won the Calder Cup as a seed as low as the Aeros.

The 1996 Rochester Americans went 37-33-5-4 and finished 3rd in the Central Division (top four qualified that year). They won the Cup.

In 2002, the pesky Wolves were 37-31-7-5, good for just a seven seed. They too won the cup and started a string of former IHL teams that would go on to raise the Calder Cup.

If information is King, consider yourselves honorary jesters.