Having covered the Aeros for eight years, I get that question a lot.
"How are the Aeros doin'?"
Hmmmm.
How ARE the Aeros doin'?
If back in September you would have told me the Aeros had 12 wins after 26 games, I would have said great. I think considering how this offense continues to sputter, and considering how Anton Khudobin goes trough stretches of average play and greatness, I would have taken 12 wins in 26 games.
The good news is only one team is running away with a playoff spot, and the Texas Stars are the best team in the division. Right now, both they and Rochester have the talent to go to the finals.
The West is just an average division.
Some of that good news is also bad. There are no really bad teams in the West, meaning that the other six teams will be fighting for the last three playoffs spots. Because Syracuse moved over to the East, there is no crossover this year. Four teams are going to make the playoffs from this division, and that is it.
Predictions are useless at this point, and considering the Aeros have not even played Rockford, I can't even really rank the other six teams behind the Stars. I can tell you, that in talking to other reporters and broadcasters that work within the division, there is some general consensus as to what the other teams have and don't have.
Most have the Wolves, Admirals and Rivermen making the playoffs behind the Stars. San Anontio gives up too many goals, the Aeros don't score enough. And the consensus doesn't see Rockford staying hot too far past the new year.
RFD - Talent down from the last two years, questionable goaltending, on a hot streak right now.
MKE - See above regarding talent and goaltending. Lane Lambert gets everthing out of these guys.
CHI - Defense has been suspect. Even scoring is up and down. Very inconsistent so far
HOU - Worst offense in the division, best PK and above average goaltending. Just do not score enough goals.
PEO - Very talented offense and have wins in seven of their 10 OT games.
SAT - Not really a cohesive unit for the talent they have. Below average goaltending. Give up way too many goals.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
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5 comments:
Who really knows. My crystal ball has the week off LOL.
However, will find out soon how Stars and Rampage are doing in SA.
Pretty much agree, Andrew.
KC is getting about all he can out of a group with limited talent - and I'm suspecting after Thursday and some other things I've seen - a possible maturity and leadership deficit.
Forecheck --
I have not really seen a lack of maturity either on or off the ice, and the players all go out of their way to talk about how they are proud to follow the example of guys like Irmen, DiSalvatore and Stoner.
The last name, Stoner, though, is a guy that I would like to see more out of. He is taking way too many ill-timed penalties. He does stand up for his teammates and he can be great at times.
If he and Milroy would just take their game up a notch or two, and if Colton Gilles could just play with a higher sense of urgency, the Aeros might start creating a little more luck.
Considering the talent level and the number of injuries both here and in St. Paul, Aeros fans should be very proud of this hard-working team.
Yes, they do work HARD. They are older on average, and claim more experience. Some need more showing i.e. Milroy, agree with Andrew on him.
They seem to have the talent just cannot translate it into something real good.
It seems to me that there are more injuries hockey wide than before, or just more openly discussed than before?
And one other thing, I know most fans LOVE fights, but .... other teams play without that heavy physical contact and play well and successfully, vide the Stars Rampage (must be the the new coach-no fights, no roughing, no instigator penalties at all) game we witnessed last evening..if you care to read about it, feel free to go to my blog artandhockey. The Stars, too, seem to NOT need all that physical aggression to perform well.
Not necessarily disagreeing with you, Andrew – but then how does one explain going from scoring three goals in two minutes to giving up three goals in two minutes and then three more unanswered at the drop of a hat if not for a lack of leadership and/or maturity, which is somewhat different from work ethic? One can work very hard (though one can suggest in this case the Aeros quit playing), but not in the right direction. Maturity is knowing the right direction and deciding to take it, and leadership is showing the way to others. By that I mean knowing that when you have your boot on your opponent’s throat you never take it off. Call it “killer instinct” or realizing it’s not over until the obese alto sings. San Antonio sure realized the later.
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