Ms.C's prediction and the feeling from the BSens' room

Sorry, in my haste this morning, I failed to actually POST my morning skate post after I previewed it. Oops.

Anyway, hope you get a chance to look at that below.

There's a fairly unified message coming from the BSens room: The heat doesn't bother us, the ice doesn't bother us, we'll deal with their physicality, and if we stick to our systems, we're fine.

They are one seriously confident team and that's good for Houston, because I think when they hit the wall that is the Aeros, they're going to have to find a championship gear to shift into. The Aeros are already in that gear.

But the reason I picked Binghamton in 5 is because I think they do have that gear. Especially if the Aeros continue to turn the puck over and stink on the PK. They WILL capitalize.

Hate to be so negative. Consider it reverse jinxing or whatever if you need to. But Bingo's offense really does concern me and it concerns the Aeros, too. Which is good. Gotta respect scoring like that.

My apologies, as I meant to get some quotes up for you from Locke and Brust, but I can't find a quiet moment to do so. Will get something together one way or another before long.

My Fearless Prediction

Even on the road and away from the team, I can see that I'm the only one around here willing to go on the record with a Calder Cup final prediction. And since all I know about the Senators consists of their barely making the playoffs, and of Corey Locke and Barry Brust being on the team, I'm going to go with the one thing I do know, and that's the Aeros.

So the Aeros win it all. But since it's the Aeros, there will be a lot of heartbreak and grinding of teeth. And since they don't do simple, I say they win in seven. And since I'm out of town for the next several games, I'll see all of you for game 4 from Binghamton.

Prediction Time

Just a brief programming note...If Blogger should once again screw up and go down, our friends at Hockey Wilderness have graciously offered to let us post Aeros items there. So, if it looks like we haven't done anything in too long awhile -- say there's nothing here by Saturday morning on tonight's game, click on the link and check out Hockey Wilderness. Hopefully Blogger's got it's act together, but who knows.

Okay, it's time for me to go on the record. And I'm picking the Aeros in seven. Andrew and Heather have laid out a pretty good analysis in their respective posts here and elsewhere, so I won't go into that. Let's just say I think the Aeros can pull it out in what will be a very, very tough series.

As for the other side, I know that Charlotte is that feel-good story and all that, but I hate being told I'm supposed to cheer for a team because they're a feel-good story. Instead, I want Binghamton to win, and I want it for solely my own, selfish wishes. Playing the Senators will give me the chance to see some former Aeros play. It'll give me a chance to watch how Heather reacts to Brusty playing for the bad guys. And finally, Binghamton is only about an hour-and-a-half drive from Cooperstown, the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and I have always wanted to go to the Baseball HOF, so this would be a great chance.

For those reasons, I'm picking the Aeros and Senators to match-up for the Calder Cup.

P.S.: I will not be making a trip to Hamilton for this series as I just can't justify the costs. Flights to Toronto are going for about $950. It's about $550 to Buffalo the last time I checked, and then I have to deal with layovers in various airports, and I don't want that. Detroit's cost is just under $500, but there's a four hour drive. Cleveland's a closer drive, but the cost is more expensive. And I can fly to Chicago for about $225, but then there's an 8.5 hour drive that I just do not want to take.

Maybe Heather or Andrew will find a way to make it their for one of the games. But since the Press doesn't reimburse me for these little ventures, I'm not doing it this time. I will however, make at least one of the Calder Cup games because prices to New York City are usually semi-reasonable and because I'm not missing a chance to make a side trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

As for the rest of us on predictions, Andrew says Aeros in seven and Heather says Aeros in six.

Ms.C's Series Prediction

I finally wrote my series preview for PHN this morning, but it's not out yet and it's not all that good because I didn't have much time to work on it. I'll link it when it's up, but for now, if you're the type of person who likes predictions, I'll go ahead and give you mine:

Aeros in 6.

Though if I'm being totally honest with you, I'm still so blown away by the sweep of Peoria, my heart says nobody's ever going to beat the Aeros again. So, clearly I've lost my Objectivity Hat and have the tin foil hat on instead.

The last time I thought, even jokingly, that the Aeros would never lose again was after game 2 of the season. And then the Aeros went on to lose 5 in a row. So let's hope I'm not THAT wrong again. :)

I think, like most of you, I can see them getting down early as they get their playoff legs back. But the potential snowballing doom-like effect of that, which I'd normally anticipate in my glass-half-empty kinda way, doesn't really seem like an issue with this team. They'll rebound. Just how quickly?

As far as positional predictions, I wrote that the Aeros had the edge at offense, defense is a draw, and goaltending is a draw unless Dekanich is healthy, and then it's a clear edge to Milwaukee.

Since PHN doesn't have a writer in Milwaukee, I have to cover the away games, too. Which means I HAVE to watch and can't chicken out like I did on Game 4. As such, I'm going to try and tweet the game tonight, at least what I can by watching online, so look for that if you're a Twit. Chris should have pictures for us at some point, too, so that's very cool.

I dunno about y'all, but it's been so long since I've seen these guys, I was getting pretty entrenched in baseball season (GO JAYS!). Getting back on the hockey wagon, though, and it's gonna be a fun week!

Fearless Prediction: Aeros In Six

So it appears that while Andrew was sending out an email asking for our predictions earlier this week, he's yet to post his. So, with the series between the Aeros and Admirals due to start tomorrow, I guess I'll get things started.

I'm worried about this series. I was also worried about Peoria for what it matters. Here's my big problem. The Aeros have will have gone 10 days between games when the puck drops tomorrow. And they've only played seven games the entire month. So I'm worried about the team being at the top of it's game. I'm worried about rust. I'm worried about the lost momementum that came from sweeping the Rivermen.

I went up to practice on Tuesday, and I saw the hardest practice I've seen this season -- admittedly, I haven't seen many, so that could have been the normal. But Mike Yeo had the squad going full out. And Matt Kassian thinks the way the squad practices, he said they've gone full-out in practice like this all season, will help them out. But who knows?

One other thing that bothers me is possible lineup tinkering. I can understand trying to find a way to get Marco Scandella out on the ice, but I'm not sure on how I feel about breaking up the forward lines to bring in somebody else. I think those four lines have incredible chemistry and all seem to work well. But Yeo said on Tuesday that the lineup we saw against Peoria won't necessarily be who goes out agains the Admirals, and that things might change from game to game. I'm not the coach, and I think Yeo's earned our trust this year, but still, I have to admit, I'm troubled.

That said, prediction time. I see the Aeros winning this thing in six. I think they lose the first game because of the rust, but win games two, three, and four before losing game five to send it back to Milwaukee.

I know the Aeros record against the Ads isn't that great this season. But their record against the Rivermen wasn't that great either. The thing I'm looking at is that Milwaukee, this season, didn't really face the Aeros roster as we know it. That last game, on April 1, was especially not representative of the team as, if I remember, there were only five d-men available with Max Noreau and Justin Falk being called up to the Wild. Matt Kassian also didn't skate, and the team was beat up and tired. And I'm sorry, but with Jared Spurgeon back, the possible addition of Marco Scandella, and with Max Noreau, Drew Bagnall, Nate Prosser, Justin Falk, and Jeff Penner, I just don't think you can say that Milwaukee should have the advantage on the defensive side.

Another thing that works in the Aeros favor is the incredible depth of this team. The Ads just can't concentrate on shutting down the first and second lines because, as this season has shown, the third and fourth lines have shown the ability to score goals. And as Warren Peters said, all of the lines, but especially the third and fourth lines, are more than willing to go in and do those things that get the trash goals.

And as with Peoria, Milwaukee's dealing with an uncertain goalie situation in that their number one goalie has been injured, and the last I heard they're still not sure what his status is for this upcoming series, though I'm sure that like Peoria with Ben Bishop, if it gets down to elimination time, Mark Dekanich will find some way to get out there between the pipes.

So those are my thoughts. The Aeros winning in six, which would work for me since I will be there should that happen.

My Fearless Prediction: Aeros in Six

So I should probably do one of those preview, prediction things for the playoff series starting tomorrow. I hate writing those things, but what the hell, right?

For those interested, I think the lines will look like this.

1. Almond, DiSalvatore, O'Sullivan.
2. Wellman, Earl, Rau.
3. Gillies, Ortmeyer, Peters.
4. Palmer, McMillan, Kassian.

Defense.

1. Noreau, Bagnall.
2. Spurgeon, Falk.
3. Prosser, Scandella.

But I reserve the right to be very wrong about all of that.

I'm sensing this gloom and doom from the fandom, and I can't quite understand why. I understand the Aeros had their difficulties with the Rivermen this season, but the worst of it came during the first two months of the season when the team was still figuring out itself and Jed Ortmeyer and Patrick O'Sullivan had yet to arrive.

This team has some incredible depth with two lines of legit goal scorers. The third line with Peters/Ortmeyer/Gillies can work the spaces and put the puck in the net, and with Kassian healthy and teamed with McMillan -- I'm guessing they'll be teamed up -- the team will have some physical guys who can make sure Patrick O'Sullivan and Robbie Earl won't have to fear for their heads.

The defense has been troublesome lately, but there have been injures and there have been a lot of guys up in the NHL. So with the addition of Spurgeon and Scandella, I think things will be much better.

Everybody seems to be worried about the match ups with Peoria. And Mike Yeo and the guys will be worrying about that as well, and how to manage them. But here's the thing, the important thing for the Aeros is their game. They need to concentrate on their game, on doing their thing. It's along the lines of what Jon DiSalvatore talked about last week. The team has to concentrate on those things that it can control. And what it can control is the way they play on the ice.

It's also like Yeo said on Sunday. Just do things the right way and things will work out.

"We’ve got guys that are going to go out and do things the right way, but I think we’ve got a great understanding of what our game is," Yeo said. "I think that we should have confidence going into game one that if we go out and play our game, then the right things are going to happen."

And the thinking has to be in line with what Jed Ortmeyer told us. It's about how the team handles itself after the game that's most important. How they recover, and how they focus. And it's that message he's preaching to the kids.

"It’s the first one to win four," he said. "You need to understand that you’re not going to win every game, and you can’t get too down on it. It’s about recovery – mentally, physically. And being ready to go for the next night. You never want to lose two in a row, so for us to instill that on these young guys and the rest of the group will help us to go a long way."

And yes, I know you're all worried about Matt Hackett. Just remember, you were all worried about Anton Khudobin two years ago, too. The guys believe in him, and he one of those guys who, if he gets in a zone and gets his confidence then he could be very very good out on the ice for a nice long run.

So my prediction? The Aeros win it in six, on home ice. But I could be wrong.

Meanwhile...Over At the Houston Press and a Prediction

Okay, sorry for the delay, but the Friday game story is finally up at the Houston Press -- it's a holiday, remember. And sorry for the formatting as that's beyond my control.

As for what happens tonight, I'm saying the same thing that I said Friday. Whoever scores first win this game. Especially since, from what I heard of the Manitoba coach's partial meltdown after Game Five, I think the Moose might be gripping the stick a bit a hard. So if the Aeros score first, that just puts the Moose even more on the defense. But if Manitoba is able to score first, then watch out, this could be a slaughter.

Can The Aeros Make It Three Series In A Row?

So as I'm waiting to talk to Kevin Constantine after the game last night, Barry Brust comes up to me and says that he's not going to be impressed with me unless I make it up to Winnipeg for a game with the Moose. I respond that if the team will cover my travel, I'll be glad to come. And everybody laughs, end of story.

I tell you this because I won't be in town this weekend. Not because I'm Winnipeg covering the team, but because I'm in Europe on a previously scheduled quick weekend jaunt to clear my head as I work on planning my future. And the money that this trip is costing will probably keep me from making any kind of trip to Winnipeg, even for a Game Seven, though, if it comes to that, I'll probably see what I can do in terms of cashing in some more of my frequent flyer miles.

But once again, that said, I'm hoping it doesn't come to a Game Seven.

Which brings me to the true reason for this post. I've got to go on the record and make my prediction for which team will win this series. The North Division champs, Manitoba Moose, or the West Division champs, the Houston Aeros. And frankly, everything points to the Moose winning this series.

After all, they finished in first in the North Division with 107 points. They beat the Aeros four times this season (once in shoot out). The Moose swept the Grand Rapids Griffins in the last round, and they've been resting for a week, preparing for either the Aeros or the Admirals.

And the Aeros are beat up. Anton Khudobin has played a lot of hockey in the net. Nolan Schaefer is available to play, but he's rusty after having not played for nearly five weeks before Monday night's debacle. Barry Brust is skating with the team, but it's been even longer since he played. Krys Kolanos is battling injuries. Tomas Mojzis didn't travel with the team to Milwaukee because of injuries. Jesse Schultz is with the team, but he's still not available to play. And the Aeros have played 14 games of physical, pounding, violent hockey.

This would be an easier prediction for me to make if I'd seen the Moose play recently. But the Aeros haven't faced them since December. And not having seen the Moose in the playoffs against Toronto or Grand Rapids, I'm just not sure of how they've really been tested.

I know this. One of the hottest goalies in the playoffs has been Manitoba's Corey Schneider. Schneider's 8-2 with only 17 goals allowed, having stopped 250 of 267 shots in 603 minutes of play for a 1.69 goals allowed average and a .936 save percentage. That's good. And Manitoba's got Jason Krog who is in the top 10 in AHL playoff scoring with 11 points (4-7=11). They've got the number one penalty kill in the playoffs, allowing only three goals on 33 power play attempts. Their power play is only so-so, ranking just sixth while scoring on 10 of 53 power plays.

Then there are the Aeros. Anton Khudobin has had a rough week. He shut the Admirals out last Thursday for his birthday. He barely made it midway through the second period on Saturday, and he was pulled in the first period on Monday before rebounding with a very good effort last night. And the Aeros have some of the AHL's leading playoff scorers, led by Corey Locke with 15 points (9-6=15), Krys Kolanos (6-5=11), Matt Beaudoin (3-7=10), and Tony Hrkac (1-9=10). The Aeros penalty kill is ranked right behind Manitoba's, as the team's stopped 62 of 69 opposition power plays, and they've scored on 17 of 69 power plays.

So who's going to win?

That's what I'm struggling with. The Aeros should lose this series. They should lose it easily. They're tired. They're banged up. They're facing a rested team. They're facing a hot goalie. But then again, what's new. To get to this spot, the Aeros had to get past Manny Legace and Drew MacIntyre, two of the best and hottest goalies going in the AHL. And the Aeros bested them. Milwaukee was rested. And the Aeros just fought on.

I felt sure the Aeros would defeat Milwaukee because I was in the locker room after Game Seven in Peoria and I just saw this thing about Krys Kolanos that said he wasn't finished yet. That he had a point to make.

I didn't see that Wednesday night, mainly because Kolanos went straight from the ice to an exercise bike. But there was something about the guys in the locker room. They were happy. They were celebrating. But it wasn't like with Peoria, where they were shocked that they could do this. This time, they expected it.

Corey Locke told me after the game that these guys are fast learners, and that they'd taken the lessons from Peoria and applied them to Milwaukee. About how to try and grab some rest when tired. About how to prepare for the same opponent time and time again. About how to handle a hot goalie. About how to handle a Game Seven. Against Milwaukee, the Aeros had to deal with injuries, a hot goalie, blowing a 3-1 series lead. They've learned their lessons Locke said. They're quick studies.

What they are, I think, what they've learned, if possible, is confidence. They learned that they weren't lucky in beating Peoria. They were good. They weren't lucky in getting that lead against Milwaukee, they were good. They learned that if they play Kevin Constantine's system, good things will happen. They've learned if things get tight, that they can handle the pressure.

The Aeros shouldn't win this series against Manitoba. They probably won't, but...

That's what people said about the Houston Astros in 2005. That they were a worn down Wild Card who wouldn't get past the Atlanta Braves. That's what people said about the Arizona Cardinals this past football season. It's something we see every year, in every sport, in every playoffs. An underdog team gets hot. The team starts playing with confidence. The team starts beating those teams they're not supposed to beat.

Corey Locke says they've learned their lessons. I think they have. But most importantly, I think that the Aeros are THAT team in this year's Calder Cup chase. That team that gets hot at just the right time, that starts believing that anything possible. The Aeros might be hurt. The Aeros might be tired. But something tells me that's not going to matter. That the Aeros aren't going to let that matter.

So here it is. The Aeros find away to win another series. And I'm picking this just on the basis of my intuition because the numbers say the Aeros should lose. But the numbers have been saying the Aeros should have lost since the playoffs started. Every year there's that underdog team. And this year, it's the Aeros.

I say they beat Manitoba in six, even though that means Barry Brust won't be impressed because I'm not there.

(I won't be around this weekend. You're just going to have to settle for the T3I crew. I'll be back Monday, but not in time for the morning skate, so you're going to have to do without my observations. But I'll be at the game, and I'll report after.)

Smiles and Dimples: Ms.C's Round 2 Prediction

I already went public with this today in my PHN series preview:
Milwaukee in 5.

As much as I believe in the power of Kolanos, he is one man and hockey is a team sport. One man is just too easy to shut down, and while Krys is truly as dominant an AHL player as I've seen, I believe he can be shut down.

Of course, what is it taking away from covering other players to shut him down? Maybe that's the key to scoring. Kolanos as bait? I don't think that's enough.

But here's your smiles and dimples, my darlings: This series goes to the Ads because of goaltending. End of story. Dimples isn't good enough. I adore the kid, I'm awfully proud of the way he rebounded from a couple of bad games in round 1, but I don't think he withstands the onslaught that Milwaukee is going to bring to his doorstep.

I want to be wrong, and I usually am about nearly everything, it seems, especially at 2 a.m. but my gut says the series and the season end on the 8th or 9th in Houston if he's in goal.

Now... if Schaefer is magically healthy, or Brusty even more magically so... this changes my thoughts entirely. But I'm going with what I know right now, and that's

Dimples + Milwaukee = :(

Read It Here First: Aeros Will Upset Milwaukee

Back earlier this season, I said the best way to describe the Houston Aeros was consistently inconsistent. When you expect them to play their best, they play their worst. When you expect them to play their worst, they play their best.

Despite having three high-octane scorers in Krys Kolanos, Corey Locke, and Jesse Schultz, the Aeros are a better speciality team unit than they are a five-on-five unit. They're a team that has trouble holding a lead, but they're also a team that has shown an ability to come back from behind and defeat anybody. They play better tired than well-rested.

It's a team that Kevin Constantine has been unable to figure out this entire season.

With the prelims out of the way, I figure I better go on the record and make my prediction on who wins this series. And I've got a bit of conflict with which to deal with also.

After Monday's game, I was in the Peoria locker room talking to Kevin Constantine. And I got Andrew on my phone so he could talk to KC. And though it was on speaker, he was hard to hear, so Constantine just put his ear to the phone and answered Andrew's questions, which I couldn't really hear. And at the end, Constantine handed me the phone and goes, "so you're the optimist of the group, I hear."

Now that's strange because I consider myself a realist. I see Andrew as the pessimist, Heather as the optimist and Fred as the angry bastard (I love you, Fred). But now the team thinks I'm the optimist. But I promise, that has nothing to do with my prediction. A prediction which has the Aeros winning in six games.

Here's the big problem I have. I haven't seen the Aeros play Milwaukee in this calendar year. All of the games in Houston against the Admirals were back in 2008. I had had an overload of watching the Aeros and Rivermen play before that series, so I felt a bit more confident in making my prediction of the upset then than I do now.

But I'm still confident.

And here's why. Krys Kolanos.


I was in the locker room after Monday's game and interviewing the guys. And they're happy and shouting. And there's Krys Kolanos. He's got a smile on his face. He's happy for his teammates. But there's something else about him. He doesn't ramble in the answers he gives. He gives straight forward assessments of how the team played.

And I see it. He's not happy with their play. He's not happy with his play. Sure he scored the game's first goal. Sure, by the force of his will he was nearly the only guy to play to his ability in that second period. But I'm talking to him, and I see it. He doesn't care about beating the Rivermen. Sure, it was nice to get to win, but that win is only a necessary step. He wants to win it all.

The Aeros are a different team when Krys Kolanos is on the ice. They all seem to have this confidence that with him there, they can score at any time. Corey Locke can rack up the points, and he can be fun to watch. But he can't create on his own like Kolanos. And Kolanos knows he can do this, and the team seems to know he can do this, so it's like they play looser when he's out there, which helps everybody.

So that's my key. My thing. I'm sure Andrew will come along with stats to back up his prediction. And I'm sure Heather will talk about smiles and dimples. But I'm going with Krys Kolanos. I just think the guy wants to win, and nothing is going to stop him. And nothing against Drew MacIntyre, but if Manny Legace couldn't stop Kolanos, I don't think MacIntyre will have much luck either.

There you have it. The upset again. The Aeros in six. And Milwaukee, you better hope this doesn't go to a seventh game, because then another factor comes into play. The Kevin Constantine coaching an underdog on the road in Game Seven Factor. Because Constantine coached teams don't lose Game Seven's when they're the underdog and on the road. But it's not going to matter. Not with the Aeros winning in six.

Game Six Aeros Video Preview

Here's the Game Six Preview from Aeros.com. The star of the show is definitely Mitch Love who appears to have fun with his time holding the microphone. Heather's already linked to some other video, but if want more audio and video, you can find lots of it over there.

As it is, back when this series started, I predicted the Aeros would win in six. And this is Game Six, so I'm sticking with that pick. I don't know which Aeros team will show up tonight, but it would be nice to see them take it to Peoria from the very start and just dominate the game all of the way through. I did sense a confidence from the team when I was down in the locker room after Game Five, and though they've said the right things all year, they seemed to really believe it this time.

The big problem as I see it is that this team has just been so damn good with coming from behind, that I can see them letting Peoria jump out to the lead again while they wait to kick it into gear in the third. But they know they can score on Legace -- I think they're over their awe of that guy -- and I think a fully healthy Krys Kolanos can kick them into gear early.

I'm not worried about Anton Khudobin. Maybe I should be. But I've come to grips with Khudobin. He's not had a lot of AHL time this year, and he's been thrown into the fire. Does he have his faults? Yes. But the key to the game will be the play in front of Khudobin. If the defense is tight and keeps Peoria away from the goal and keep the ice clear, then I think Khudobin will be okay. And if the offense spends the whole game pressing and keeps Peoria backed up, I think that will help also.

I'm not predicting the score. But I'm sticking with my choice of the Aeros winning this thing in six games. And look for Kolanos to have a big game.

Into the prediction fray; some love for Beaudoin

As I type this, I'm kneeling on my Aeros blanket, burning a donut scented candle, eating poutine, and wearing my Canada Hockey sweatshirt. (Okay, not really, but I feel like I should be.)

See, I'm not a religious person at all, but I do believe in the hockey gods and I'm afraid predictions anger them. I mean, who am *I* to know what's going to happen? How presumptuous to even feign to know!

Now, I was pressed to make a prediction Monday night and I said Aeros in 6. And I could totally see that happening.

But I could also see Peoria in 5.

So, I don't know. I don't want to know. I don't need to be right or wrong. I just want the boys to play their fine, muscular asses off and, if this is as far as they can go, then I want to go home proud of the effort. But of course, I really want a second round.

And on that note, our friends over at Admirals Short Shifts gave out their A.S.S. awards to Milwaukee forwards today and, waddaya know, the Aeros very own Matt Beaudoin won one!

Matt Beaudoin -- AX TO GRIND AWARD. He was in Admirals training camp and played a few games for the Admirals this season. He spent the 2nd half of the season with the Houston Aeros with moderate success, and is on their playoff roster. If the stars align, he may be visiting Milwaukee in the second round.

So, here's hoping the stars align and Matt can sneak up on Milwaukee all stealth-ninja style and show them what they gave up.

Can You Spell U-P-S-E-T?

The Aeros struggled over the last month of the season. They've had injuries. Call-ups to the Wild. They seemed to forget how to score while they also seemed to forget how to play defense. That the Aeros are even a number three seed is a bit of a surprise considering that they backed into the playoffs by losing in overtime.

But...

I don't think Andrew, Fred, or Heather would classify me as a member of the Aeros Sunshine Club. I don't like that the Aeros are going into Peoria tonight without, it appears, both Nolan Schaefer and Barry Brust. I like Anton Khudobin, but I think that he's looked overwhelmed at times on the ice this past week, which probably hasn't been helped by his having to come into the middle of games because of injuries and not getting the practice time. And as Brandon Rogers admitted, he definitely hasn't gotten any help from his defense.

Peoria meanwhile has Manny Legace, the former NHL all-star trying to play his way back up to The Big Show. And when they played Peoria last month, the guys talked in awe of Legace. That said, it should be noted that the team came within a 13-round shootout of winning two of the four Peoria games that Legace was around for, and that Jason Ryznar, not the most noted of goal scorers, was able to get a goal off of Legace.

That's all a lead up to my prediction. I think the Aeros are going to win this thing. The games will be close. And it will take six games. But the Aeros will win. And they will win because they have Krys Kolanos. Kolanos, remember, was only around for 45 of the team's 80 games. And in those 45 games, Kolanos netted 31 goals to go along with 20 assists. The team itself was 24-13-2-6 when Kolanos was with the team.

File photo of Krys Kolanos by Fred Trask.

The Aeros are a different team when Kolanos is around. They're a team that can score on anybody, at anytime. Most importantly, with Kolanos around, Khudobin doesn't have to be perfect. And if he doesn't have to be perfect, he can relax a bit and not press. And the offense flows better, opening up the ice more for Jesse Schultz and Corey Locke. And I don't know what it is, but Benoit Pouliot seems to play better hockey when he's out on the ice with Kolanos.

There's something else, which is just a feeling maybe. But I was watching Kolanos this weekend. He just seemed to have this extra something. That he was going to score no matter what. No one would stop him. He reminded me a bit of Jeff Bagwell in 1994 when he put the Astros on his shoulders and carried them through the season. Or Randy Johnson coming to the Astros in 1998 and just wiping out anybody that was in his path. Kolanos is a free agent after the season. And he's playing for that next contract, and he wants another chance at the NHL, and what better way to do it than pulling a team through the playoffs -- I'm sure he knows as well as anyone that Kevin Constantine might well end up in the NHL next season, and what better way to get that contract than to impress the coach?

Like I said above, I don't have the stats to back up my prediction. This is all just a feeling that I have. But there it is. That's my prediction. The Aeros win in six games.