12/3: Aeros 3, Rampage 6

The Aeros had a lot going for them today: fresh legs, Earl back from Minny, Hilbert back from injury, the momentum of a great road trip, playing at home in front of the biggest crowd they'll see all year against a team that just had their coach fired, their Ducks affiliation ripped away, and losing pretty much every game.

And yet, as is often the case with long layoffs, rivalries, and games with weird start times... logic was irrelevant.

Both teams were good in the first, even though the Aeros had difficulty holding the zone, they did a great job keeping pucks away from Khudobin and he did a great job staying square and tracking the puck regardless of how crazy it got in front of him. No tally but it was a fun period.

Then the second started and the floodgates opened on Justin Pogge, who was playing his first AHL game after being traded away from Toronto to the Ducks. He let in three quick goals and it looked like the Aeros might hang a hundred on them.

And then, as though the boys all took Ambien at the intermission, the whole team just fell asleep where they stood. They watched as San Antonio got turnover after odd-man-rush after breakaway and rang up 3 quick goals on Khudobin.

When they finally potted a fourth, he got the hook and Dubielewicz came in. And almost immediately had to stop another breakaway. Let's put it this way: I get better defense when I play drop-ins. It was a shambles.

Dubie let two more in during the third, but it didn't really seem to matter. The momentum was bought and paid for by the San Antonio Rampage and the Aeros clearly didn't have the money in the bank to get it back.

They had some good chances on Pogge in the third, but he had clearly settled down from the almost manic pace at which he was playing to start the game, and he and his defense did a great job keeping the puck out of the net.

I don't recall Kalus coming back after he got hit up high late in the first period. Looked like a broken nose or teeth out or something, so he may be out for a few games if it's the nose. Andrew might have more information after visiting the locker room. (Update: Possible concussion for Kalus. The hit didn't look that bad and I thought the punishment was over the top, but maybe it was worse down low.)

I've gotta get back to my real job, but wanted to get a brief recap up before I do. The teams square off again tomorrow night in San Antonio, so they will have to shake this off and get fired up. San Antonio has been terrible and are going to need to win a LOT of games to return to relevance. There's Aeros blood in the water after what we witnessed today, so they won't be resting on their laurels.

Enjoy the rest of your Thursday!

P.S. - For those who are interested in keeping tabs on our dear Brusty, I'm watching his games with Florida and reporting them on my blog. Unfortunately, it's kinda mixed in with all my other nonsense so you'll have to wade a bit.

It was a Wicked Game...