Aeros win 3-1 over the Stars (at home!!!)

Are we dreaming? Did the Aeros actually just win a home game and, for all intents and purposes, play a good 60 minutes?

Why, I do believe that happened for real! The Aeros beat the Stars 3-1, as Torchetti said, just playing a simple, steady game.

They didn't get rattled by that first goal (which was deflected in, BTW... I thought Hackett played his first strong, focused game in some time) and just kept playing Aeros hockey.

We felt like the goal by CJ Stretch that was waved off was probably a good goal. I think if the AHL had replay (she says through gritted teeth), you'd have seen that ultimately ruled a deflection off Stretch's skate and not a "kick in."

I thought we had a pretty good angle on it, too. Maybe you guys saw something else? The ref obviously did.

That said, boy, was I impressed with Stretch's game tonight. Guy has really nice hands and is a player. Don't see any reason he shouldn't be an AHLer for good after what I've seen. Of course, now I've jinxed him. Sorry, CJ.

Wellman continues to make it look easy, cornering Raycroft in the "no play zone" unable to make a move and basically just gives it up to Wellman who scores on the empty net. Just a brain fart by Raycroft there.

Genoway, with the game winner... I have to tell you this: I had a dream last night that I had a talk with Chay and told him he needed to get scoring. Haha. Gave me chills when he ripped that shot from the high slot and just about put it through the roof of the net. Really nice, Noreau-ish goal. Miss having that kind of scoring from the blue line.

What I liked especially was no back-down when they got the lead. Stuck to the system and got good goaltending and bada-bing bada-boom, you get the win.

We tried to talk to Almond after the game but the poor guy was iced all over and in the doc's room getting stitched up after the game. Weirdest thing I've ever seen, he and Connolly lying on the ice punching each other for way longer than I would have thought the refs should allow. I think maybe they were caught off guard as much as anybody else following the play.

But prying them apart and chucking them in the box for 2 minutes didn't cool them down. They finish it up when they get out of the box and I'm reminded of what a freak (in a good way) Almond is as a fighter. Not a huge guy but few guys have so much POWER behind their punches.

His balance and strength and aggression are just unbelievable when he decides to drop the mitts. It's terrifying in a way that I... don't mind at all. *ahem*

However, seeing how banged up he was, I just hope it was worth it. Whatever the case, dude is a wicked tough son-of-a-gun. Glad he's on our side.

Anyway, all in all, nice to finally get one at home and hear some happy music out of the locker room and talk to a happy coach: "If they play like that all season, we'd be a happy coaching staff."

Back at it Saturday night (though I'll be in Dallas watching the Wild game, so you'll be in John and Andrew's capable hands), and don't forget Sunday's game is a quick-turnaround nooner due to the Big Game in Indianapolis later in the day.

Enjoy them now because they're not back until March 10 (*sadface*).