Storylines to make you giddy - Mr. Sunshine edition

I kind of talked about the "heavier" side of tonight's game in the post below. There are only 11 games left, and this is a HUGE hockey game. The Aeros have Milwaukee two more times this year, and they need to beat them twice if they want a shot at the No. 1 seed entering the playoffs.

But if you aren't excited about tonight's game, you're just not paying attention. Here are some nuggets that ought to make you smile about paying your good hard-earned money to see a minor league hockey game:

• The Aeros are just coming off their latest must-win game, a 6-3 win over Manitoba. They scored six goals in the third, a 17-year old franchise record for goals in a period.
• Houston is 28-17-1-1 vs. West Division teams, and guess what, the Admirals play in the West.
• The Aeros are 20-8-0-3 since Jan. 1. Few teams in the AHL can match those numbers.
• Matt Hackett is going to start tonight; here's to hoping he finishes and allows two goals or less. All 38 of the Aeros' wins have come when the team allows three or fewer goals.
• Hackett (16-13-4) is second among AHL rookies and sixth overall with a 2.25 (overall) goals-against average. At home, Hackett is 8-4-2 with a 2.33 GAA and a .916 saves percentage.
• Patrick O’Sullivan is the main reason why the Aeros are 20-8-0-3 since Jan. 1; He has points in 11 of his last 12 games (6-13-19) and points in 20 of 26 as an Aero this season (14-19-33).
• Look at those numbers up there. That is effing crazy.
• Speaking of crazy numbers, look at what the arrival of O'Sullivan has done to Jon DiSalvatore.
• Jon DiSalvatore (22-29-51) has matched his career high in goals thanks to a 14-15-29 (29! points!) spurt since O’Sullivan joined the club.
• More on O'Sullivan - He is now fourth on the team in scoring with 14 goals, 19 assists for 33 points. Sick.
• And remember, even if the Aeros lose their last 11 games, they still finish above .500!
• (That last one was a positive nugget for Forecheck)