Special teams a killer in 2-1 loss to Texas Friday night

The Aeros kicked off their three-in-three weekend with a 2-1 loss against the Texas Stars on Friday night at Toyota Center.

Chay Genoway had the Aeros only goal in the game, and Matt Hackett made enough stops to give the Aeros a chance to win a big division game. But, in the end, the old cliche about the other team wanting it more played out, and the Stars head back to Cedar Park with two points.

The power play scored a goal, but the Aeros drew two penalties in the third with a chance to draw even. No dice. Texas milked the clock, and the Aeros couldn't draw even with Hackett on (and then off) and then back on the bench.

"We didn't have a lot of energy, and I don't think we competed enough," said Aeros head coach John Torchetti. "We took a bad penalty, and it cost us the game. We have got to do a better job on the penalty kill. We've got to hold ourselves more accountable and we have to play better.

"Some guys are going to have to step up and take some pride in that job."

The Aeros were THIS close to tying the game late in the second period.
Photo by Morris Molina, Houston Aeros

Torchetti didn't name names, but there was clearly a lack of urgency in clearing the zone on the game winning goal. The unit seemed satisfied with the missed shot on the previous play. Texas wanted a goal there, and they got an easy one by Alex Chiasson for the winner. That marker was the eighth power play goal the Aeros have coughed up in the last nine games.

"It's really simple stuff," added Torchetti. "We have got to take pride in that job, and we are not taking pride in that job. It starts with me; I have to be harder on them and take some guys off (the PK)."

The first period was typical Aeros. Get a few good looks in the first three minutes and then get completely outplayed until the end of the period. The Jordie Benn goal found its way through traffic, and Hackett was screened. But the third-year goalie made three really good saves late in the first period to keep it a one-goal game.

Hackett did the same thing Tuesday against OKC, and that was good enough to rally the troops for the second period en route to a 4-2 win over the Barons.

"We have to come out and work harder," added Torchetti. "I thought we came out and had a really good practice yesterday, and then tonight we didn't even have the speed that we had in yesterday's practice. I think we thought we were just going to put our sticks out there and get two points."

"(The Stars) have not been winning the last few games, and they were hungrier for pucks, and they were getting points shots right off the bat. Our defensive zone faceoffs were maybe at 25 percent, and that is why they were getting better puck possession in the first period."

Chay Genoway scored a pretty power play goal to tie the game early in the second period. He hit the post and the crossbar before the puck beat Nilstorp. But, the Aeros did not show much life until late, late, late in the period when they had another power play chance.

The Aeros have to find a way to start better, and they have to find a way to get better on the PK.  Right now there are still a lot of injuries and - even though I hate to make excuses - that has to play into it a little bit. I really do think with everyone back, this Aeros team could be really, really good even without Granlund and Scandella.

Part of starting well, and part of killing penalties is having good chemistry both at practice and during the games. I just don't think the whole team has been healthy enough to really form a good bond. We'll see, and hopefully things will settle down when players start to get healthy and the NHL labor situation resolves itself one way or the other.

I know there are a few of you who blame Torchetti for the lack of energy to start the games. And that may be true, but don't think he isn't aware of this pattern. He shouldered much of the blame for Friday's game. He's moving guys around, trying to find the best fit, but until that happens, there are going to be a few more games like this

"We didn't come out a play a good, sound hockey game," added Torchetti. "And I will take the blame for that one. I have to find a way to get us better prepared for tomorrow."

Some Thoughts From Mike Yeo...

I promised yesterday to provide you with some of the quotes and info we got from Mike Yeo on Saturday night. So...

One of the things we asked him about was the recent play of Cody Almond. I thought Almond showed some promise last year, but the level of his play has really been upped recently. So here's what Yeo had to say.

"We need him to be [everywhere]. He plays every situation for us. He’s a young player who I think has made great strides this year. I think he has a pretty good idea of what his game needs to be.

"For a young player, it’s not easy to bring that every night. Especially the role that he’s going to play. He’s got to play a hard game. He’s got to play physical. He’s got to be an in-your-face guy. While that’s going on, he’s also playing against top lines. So he’s got to make sure he’s playing within the system and playing with details.

"I’m happy with the development that he’s had this year, and I think the things that he’s doing without the puck have contributed to the success that he’s having now on the offensive side."

The past month was a tough one for the Aeros, mentally and physically as they played virtually every other night while traveling about the continent. And while it's true that the team is still towards the bottom of the standings, the fact is that things could still be much, much worse for the team. Still, with all of that, Yeo has mixed feelings.

"Through that tough stretch, I would have liked to finish better than we did. I’m not going to pretend to that I don’t wish we were a little bit better right now. At the same time, I do see some light at the end of that tunnel. I believe that we do get an easier part of our schedule…but at least we have practice time, at least the travel’s not as bad. And I think we are at least in a position now to make the push that we have to make.

[SNIP]

"I’m actually pretty happy with our team. I think our team has improved a lot. We still have areas where we have to improve. We still have to find ways to score more goals. But the guys have bought in real well, and I think for the most part every night we give ourselves a chance to win, which is what really what you want."

And as mentioned, the Aeros are kind of wiped. They've had a lot of injuries. They've had guys up and down from Minnesota. And they've played a lot of hockey. For the first time in a while, they're getting some time off to rest and recuperate between games. Yeo's hoping to get some practice time in, but he wants to treat the thing like it's camp and having them going over the special teams and offense, etc.

"This break is huge….It’s going to be carefully planned this week because, how do you get rest and conditioning in the same week? How do you get practice time and on-ice conditioning but at the same time make sure we’re recovering from our injuries?

[SNIP]

"With the lack of practice time that we’ve had, I think it’s going to be treated almost like a mini-training camp this week. We have to go everything from special teams to every aspect of our system because we’re just not as sharp as we were earlier. We have to make sure that we cover everything."

And as to the guys needing a bit of a mental break along with a physical break...

"We need, mentally, it’s important to make sure your motivation factor is high and you’re hungry to come to the rink."

The Aeros return to action on Friday night for the first of, guess what, a three-in-three. They host Lake Erie on Friday, travel to San Antonio on Saturday, then host the Rampage on Sunday afternoon.

A quick explanation: Aeros 2, Rampage 3

I didn't watch much of the game, so I'm not going to write it up properly (like I would anyway). I'd get on Khudobin for allowing that tying goal as he mishandled the puck as he was covering it with his glove... but he stopped a whopping 53 (!!!) shots in this game. He's allowed two goals against, I guess. ;)

And the game winner was an empty netter with :20 left in the tied game.

Folks freaked out in the chat on AHLLive at Constantine pulling Khudobin with less than a minute left in the game. Why would a coach pull the goalie in a tied game?

The reason is because the Aeros had 80 points, the Rampage had 82, which means the Aeros HAD to win in regulation to jump ahead of San Antonio in the standings. (Aeros get the tie breaker due to winning the season series between the two teams.)

So, don't flip out. He did the right thing. Alas, the boys couldn't hold 'em in and the Rampage nabbed the empty netter for the win, but the Aeros do finish at .500 for the season. Hey, that's better than all the other teams at the bottom of their divisions have done! Haha... Well, it's something.

The offseason has officially begun.

Aeros lose 2-1 in OT to Milwaukee

Oh, I'm sad. I asked my new Brusty bobblehead before the game if the Aeros would win and he was definitive in his affirmation. "Yes yes yes yes yes," he said.

Alas, I think the results were skewed by his inability to shake his head. But the boys held out pretty good and got a point out of the game. Shame they can't donate these points to a charity that could use them. Like the Binghamton Senators.

Not a lot to say about this game except that a) Dubie didn't get pulled and actually played... well, he kept the puck out of the net, stopping 26 of 28 shots b) the boys still played hard and showed a lot of gusto even when, really, there's only pride to play for at this point.

I loved the Earl, Kassian, McMillan line. And starting them? Haha. Cool.

Anyway, I think John will be on later with less nonsense and more real stuff.

But I do have pictures!

Ladies? You feelin' it? Oh yeah. Hot.

Earl's goal and Kassian's ass. Not sure which I like more....

Game winning goal from Dietrich and Max's ass. I KNOW which of those I like better...

Reports from the weekend w/ photos

It's always interesting to me, after a long season, to get a fresh perspective on the team. I think we're pretty fair, but we do see these guys an awful lot and it's easy to get into a rut.

So, it's cool when a Wild fan goes on a bit of a road trip and checks the guys out and gives a thorough report with fresh eyes (but still some knowledge about the players).

If you're interested in a first hand account of Saturday and Sunday's games, check out Bozak's Random Hockey Thoughts. I think you'll find his takes as an "outsider" worthwhile.

-----------------------
He's promising pictures later, but I'll give you pictures right the heck now, thanks to Chris "Leavin' on a Jetplane" Jerina.

Our Man in the Midwest is gonna be here this weekend for the Milwaukee games, so if you see him running around with his camera Saturday and Sunday, be sure and yell obscenities at him. Kidding. Kidding. Be nice.

Kassian, with a rather nice beard going, gets his fists of fury on.

Falker Scores!

 

Go-ahead goal for Rockford

Post game chat with Kevin Constantine

Benny discusses Game 4 win over Milwaukee

I have no idea how these are going to turn out, so please take them for what they are worth: an experiment. The lighting was poor for the interviews with Benoit and Anton and I might need to take down the quality a notch so they don't take so long to load.

Thanks in advance to Benoit, Anton and Kevin for being gracious guinea pigs.

Anton Talks to the Press