Hey gang, just a brief programming note: The Aeros game tonight in San Antonio is going to be broadcast on Fox Sports Southwest.
That's channel 677 (or 677-1 if you want the HD broadcast, which is pretty awesome) if you have DirecTV. Not sure about other providers. So, as always, check your local listings. ;)
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
12/26/10 -- Aeros 4-Stars 3 (SO) -- Happy Boxing Day Edition
The Aeros scoreless streak stood at 158:43 coming into today's match-up with the Texas Stars. They were on a four-game losing streak, and had failed to score in their last two, including an embarrassing 5-0 loss to Hamilton in Houston right before Christmas. The team's record had dropped to 17-15-1-2 (35 points) and they were sitting in seventh place.
So things weren't exactly looking good for the Aeros as they headed into tonight's match-up with the Stars. The Stars are always a tough match-up because they've always got excellent goaltending and play decent defense while presenting a team that can score points when need be.
But the Aeros did something shocking tonight. They scored a goal 30 seconds into the game -- Warren Peters on a wraparound -- then came back from the 2-1 first period deficit to tie the game late in the second before taking the lead in the third. It looked like they were going to hold on for the win, but Francis Wathier scored for the Stars with 18.3 left in the game to tie it, and off to OT the teams were. The Aeros kept the Stars off the board in OT, then saw Robbie Earl, Chad Rau, and Cody Almond score in a seven-round shoot out to give the Aeros the 4-3 win.
The month has been a killer for the Aeros -- I'm still trying to figure out how they landed on the AHL's crap list -- and it's not close to over. They play tomorrow in San Antonio, Wednesday in Milwaukee, and Thursday in Rockford to close out the year, then host San Antonio on Saturday night. It's Andrew's theory that the Aeros need to get past New Year's Day with a better than .500 record. And as hard it is to believe -- especially after the way they played last week -- this goal is possible. They're two games above .500 right now, and they've got four left.
I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it is possible.
Now for some thoughts and misc items.
1. The Aeros have scored a goal in every period of a game seven times this season. Five of those games have been against the Stars.
2. Watch this trend: when the Aeros score the first goal of the game, they are 16-5-0-2.
3. Yeo says the guys are tired, and he they had four days off after the Hamilton loss. part of the reason for this was that he felt they needed the mental break because this month, with the travel, and the losing streak, and the scoreless streak, has been a huge mental grind.
4. “This month has been a grind. I will say that,” Yeo said. “This month has been a grind. But that’s where I’m hopeful, this stretch right now, four games in five nights coming out of this break, is going to be – we’re not getting off any easier here – but I do think, more than anything, it’s probably mental. And having those four days off for our guys, more than anything, has come at the right time and at least gave us the right attitude coming back to make sure we’re ready for a push.”
5. It didn't really show up in the box score, but Robbie Earl had a hell of a game tonight. Of course, being that he's an Aero, he had his share of bad luck. Several shot attempts were stopped by a goalie having a hell of a game. And he was in a great position for one shot, only to have his stick break as he was taking the shot. But he was everywhere he needed to be throughout the game, and he managed to get two assists and a goal in the shootout.
6. If you were wondering why Matt Kassian, "the boxer" on the team, didn't play on Boxing Day, well, it's because he's suffering from a lower body injury. Casey Wellman was scratched for the same reason.
7. There was a nice crowd today, but damn, they were so quiet we could hear one guy on the opposite end of the arena shouting at the team.
8. Dear Toyota Center sound crew. Could you please save that "fight, fight, fight" song for an actual fight?
9. Dear AHL, screw you. Come on, could you please explain this schedule? Nine of the team's final 12 games in 2010 are on the road, and 18 of the team's final 27 games for 2010 are on the road. I realize I took a quick vacation and that I had to cover a college basketball game, but damn, it should not be December 26 when I get around to seeing my second Aeros game of the month.
10. Since it's Boxing Day, how about we go out on a song featuring "boxer" in the title? So here's Simon and Garfunkel with "The Boxer."
And in case I forget, since I'll next see the team on New Year's Day, I want to wish everybody a Happy New Year.
So things weren't exactly looking good for the Aeros as they headed into tonight's match-up with the Stars. The Stars are always a tough match-up because they've always got excellent goaltending and play decent defense while presenting a team that can score points when need be.
But the Aeros did something shocking tonight. They scored a goal 30 seconds into the game -- Warren Peters on a wraparound -- then came back from the 2-1 first period deficit to tie the game late in the second before taking the lead in the third. It looked like they were going to hold on for the win, but Francis Wathier scored for the Stars with 18.3 left in the game to tie it, and off to OT the teams were. The Aeros kept the Stars off the board in OT, then saw Robbie Earl, Chad Rau, and Cody Almond score in a seven-round shoot out to give the Aeros the 4-3 win.
The month has been a killer for the Aeros -- I'm still trying to figure out how they landed on the AHL's crap list -- and it's not close to over. They play tomorrow in San Antonio, Wednesday in Milwaukee, and Thursday in Rockford to close out the year, then host San Antonio on Saturday night. It's Andrew's theory that the Aeros need to get past New Year's Day with a better than .500 record. And as hard it is to believe -- especially after the way they played last week -- this goal is possible. They're two games above .500 right now, and they've got four left.
I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it is possible.
Now for some thoughts and misc items.
1. The Aeros have scored a goal in every period of a game seven times this season. Five of those games have been against the Stars.
2. Watch this trend: when the Aeros score the first goal of the game, they are 16-5-0-2.
3. Yeo says the guys are tired, and he they had four days off after the Hamilton loss. part of the reason for this was that he felt they needed the mental break because this month, with the travel, and the losing streak, and the scoreless streak, has been a huge mental grind.
4. “This month has been a grind. I will say that,” Yeo said. “This month has been a grind. But that’s where I’m hopeful, this stretch right now, four games in five nights coming out of this break, is going to be – we’re not getting off any easier here – but I do think, more than anything, it’s probably mental. And having those four days off for our guys, more than anything, has come at the right time and at least gave us the right attitude coming back to make sure we’re ready for a push.”
5. It didn't really show up in the box score, but Robbie Earl had a hell of a game tonight. Of course, being that he's an Aero, he had his share of bad luck. Several shot attempts were stopped by a goalie having a hell of a game. And he was in a great position for one shot, only to have his stick break as he was taking the shot. But he was everywhere he needed to be throughout the game, and he managed to get two assists and a goal in the shootout.
6. If you were wondering why Matt Kassian, "the boxer" on the team, didn't play on Boxing Day, well, it's because he's suffering from a lower body injury. Casey Wellman was scratched for the same reason.
7. There was a nice crowd today, but damn, they were so quiet we could hear one guy on the opposite end of the arena shouting at the team.
8. Dear Toyota Center sound crew. Could you please save that "fight, fight, fight" song for an actual fight?
9. Dear AHL, screw you. Come on, could you please explain this schedule? Nine of the team's final 12 games in 2010 are on the road, and 18 of the team's final 27 games for 2010 are on the road. I realize I took a quick vacation and that I had to cover a college basketball game, but damn, it should not be December 26 when I get around to seeing my second Aeros game of the month.
10. Since it's Boxing Day, how about we go out on a song featuring "boxer" in the title? So here's Simon and Garfunkel with "The Boxer."
And in case I forget, since I'll next see the team on New Year's Day, I want to wish everybody a Happy New Year.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What's that smell?
It's the steaming pile Hockey Santa left if your stocking! HO HO HO!
But really, that 5-0 loss to Hamilton was as bad as it gets. The first 18 minutes I felt like I was watching my Monday night drop-in. No offense to those guys, but they're not pros, so they're supposed to miss a bunch of their passes and fumble the puck and shoot wide and low and right into the goalie and on and on...
The Aeros, on the other hand, looked like they haven't skated together in weeks.
The one bright spot was Matt Hackett's play in relief. He kept the game from going up to 7 or 8 to nothing with some unbelievable glove saves and was just "laser" focused on that puck. Best I've seen him play at home.
Outside of that, I could inundate you with stats and misery and whatnot, but Mike Yeo was so good after the game that I think you're better served just reading his post game comments. And this is how you know I love you, because I friggin' hate transcribing.
Two games ago you were up 3-1 in the second. Since then you've been outscored 10-0 which is remarkable. What's happened to this team?
To speak about the last game in Manitoba, I thought we actually played a pretty solid game. I mean, we didn't score any goals, obviously, and we addressed some areas we need to get better. You know, middle lane driving and being more aggressive, getting to the hard areas, but tonight was just embarrassing. That's what happened.
We addressed it, the fact that this is a game that's not easy. It takes a lot of character to make sure you're focused for it. Guy have bags packed and thinking about Christmas, but at the same time, you've got a game to play. We talked about that, what it means to be a pro, and make sure you're ready to play and tonight was embarrassing.
Are you at a point now, you look at your goaltending numbers and Anton's a full goal ahead of where he was in November. Are you at the point where you're going to have to call somebody up from lower to shake it up? (Editors note: Anton's GAA/save % in November was 2.25/0.922. Very respectable. In December, it's 3.65/0.861. Not very respectable.)
You know what, I don't want to blame that game on Anton. We didn't seem to want to touch anybody in front of our net and they had some pretty small individuals tapping in empty netters, so I blame our defense a lot more tonight, and our forwards for a lack of willingness to block shots.
So I'm not gonna put that one on Anton, but I think, as you said, he's not different than Matt Hackett and every one of our defensemen and every one of our forwards. When we get back from this break, we've got a difficult schedule and it's gonna be a grind for a little while but we're gonna have to become better. Because where we're at right now is not good enough.
We can say that we're heading in the right direction but obviously we've taken a step backward. And this is the time of year when winners are made, I believe, when things are at their most difficult, how do you find a way to get yourself prepared, how do you find a way to make sure you're ready to come to the rink and battle, how do you find a way when things aren't necessarily going your way to come out and bring it. And that's something that we have to learn.
Is this 6 game stretch where you're 1-5, is this the worst the team has been? I mean, are you playing worse now than the first time you had that 6-game slide?
Yeah. I mean, I'm disappointed with the schedule, with the fact that we've had 3 practices this month. That part is frustrating for me and I have seen a slip in our game. I can accept a bit of a drop in your execution, I can accept a bit of a drop in the detail. We lost the game in Manitoba because of a minor detail. What I cannot accept and will not accept is a lack of effort and compete. We didn't lose that game tonight because of execution or systems. It was [because] that team had more heart, more preparation, more will to win the game than we had.
And the part that's disappointing, and apparently we haven't learned, and the part that's cost us the games that we're up 3-1 and other games and even the start of games is a lack of will, when you come into the game be ready to battle, and absolutely compete and try to outwill the other team. And that's the only way that we're going to be capable of doing it. I hope the guys take the time off of the holidays and get rested and get re-focused, because that's what we're going to do.
Is that the detail you were talking about in the Manitoba game where you're up 3-1...
No, the second game. The second game is, you talk about urgency you need in your game and how one play is the difference in the game. 0-0 game and you make one mistake the puck ends up in our net. So, it's something I do believe the young players still have to learn but at the same time, first and foremost, you have to be ready to compete.
Is that also the same deal, we've noticed the penalty kill has gotten quite a bit off. Same thing?
More than anything else, you look at their penalty kill tonight and why were they successful? They must have blocked about 15 shots. And if you're willing to get in front of shots and lay down and fight and do whatever you can to get that desperation to keep the puck out of your net, more often than not you're gonna find a way to win that face-off, you're take a hit to clear the puck, and you're gonna find a way to get in front of that shot and block it. And if the puck does get in front of the net and there's a 1-on-1 battle with a loose puck right there, you're gonna outwill your opponent and make sure he doesn't tap it in the net. And that's something that we better find... quickly.
-----------------------------------------
Preach on, Yeosie.
But hey, gang, it's just hockey. With that in mind, go enjoy your family and food and presents and vacation and whatnot for the next few days. That's the stuff that matters in the end.
That and reading T3I religiously. ;)
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it. Have a nice week to those who don't. We'll see you on Boxing Day.
But really, that 5-0 loss to Hamilton was as bad as it gets. The first 18 minutes I felt like I was watching my Monday night drop-in. No offense to those guys, but they're not pros, so they're supposed to miss a bunch of their passes and fumble the puck and shoot wide and low and right into the goalie and on and on...
The Aeros, on the other hand, looked like they haven't skated together in weeks.
The one bright spot was Matt Hackett's play in relief. He kept the game from going up to 7 or 8 to nothing with some unbelievable glove saves and was just "laser" focused on that puck. Best I've seen him play at home.
Outside of that, I could inundate you with stats and misery and whatnot, but Mike Yeo was so good after the game that I think you're better served just reading his post game comments. And this is how you know I love you, because I friggin' hate transcribing.
Two games ago you were up 3-1 in the second. Since then you've been outscored 10-0 which is remarkable. What's happened to this team?
To speak about the last game in Manitoba, I thought we actually played a pretty solid game. I mean, we didn't score any goals, obviously, and we addressed some areas we need to get better. You know, middle lane driving and being more aggressive, getting to the hard areas, but tonight was just embarrassing. That's what happened.
We addressed it, the fact that this is a game that's not easy. It takes a lot of character to make sure you're focused for it. Guy have bags packed and thinking about Christmas, but at the same time, you've got a game to play. We talked about that, what it means to be a pro, and make sure you're ready to play and tonight was embarrassing.
Are you at a point now, you look at your goaltending numbers and Anton's a full goal ahead of where he was in November. Are you at the point where you're going to have to call somebody up from lower to shake it up? (Editors note: Anton's GAA/save % in November was 2.25/0.922. Very respectable. In December, it's 3.65/0.861. Not very respectable.)
You know what, I don't want to blame that game on Anton. We didn't seem to want to touch anybody in front of our net and they had some pretty small individuals tapping in empty netters, so I blame our defense a lot more tonight, and our forwards for a lack of willingness to block shots.
So I'm not gonna put that one on Anton, but I think, as you said, he's not different than Matt Hackett and every one of our defensemen and every one of our forwards. When we get back from this break, we've got a difficult schedule and it's gonna be a grind for a little while but we're gonna have to become better. Because where we're at right now is not good enough.
We can say that we're heading in the right direction but obviously we've taken a step backward. And this is the time of year when winners are made, I believe, when things are at their most difficult, how do you find a way to get yourself prepared, how do you find a way to make sure you're ready to come to the rink and battle, how do you find a way when things aren't necessarily going your way to come out and bring it. And that's something that we have to learn.
Is this 6 game stretch where you're 1-5, is this the worst the team has been? I mean, are you playing worse now than the first time you had that 6-game slide?
Yeah. I mean, I'm disappointed with the schedule, with the fact that we've had 3 practices this month. That part is frustrating for me and I have seen a slip in our game. I can accept a bit of a drop in your execution, I can accept a bit of a drop in the detail. We lost the game in Manitoba because of a minor detail. What I cannot accept and will not accept is a lack of effort and compete. We didn't lose that game tonight because of execution or systems. It was [because] that team had more heart, more preparation, more will to win the game than we had.
And the part that's disappointing, and apparently we haven't learned, and the part that's cost us the games that we're up 3-1 and other games and even the start of games is a lack of will, when you come into the game be ready to battle, and absolutely compete and try to outwill the other team. And that's the only way that we're going to be capable of doing it. I hope the guys take the time off of the holidays and get rested and get re-focused, because that's what we're going to do.
Is that the detail you were talking about in the Manitoba game where you're up 3-1...
No, the second game. The second game is, you talk about urgency you need in your game and how one play is the difference in the game. 0-0 game and you make one mistake the puck ends up in our net. So, it's something I do believe the young players still have to learn but at the same time, first and foremost, you have to be ready to compete.
Is that also the same deal, we've noticed the penalty kill has gotten quite a bit off. Same thing?
More than anything else, you look at their penalty kill tonight and why were they successful? They must have blocked about 15 shots. And if you're willing to get in front of shots and lay down and fight and do whatever you can to get that desperation to keep the puck out of your net, more often than not you're gonna find a way to win that face-off, you're take a hit to clear the puck, and you're gonna find a way to get in front of that shot and block it. And if the puck does get in front of the net and there's a 1-on-1 battle with a loose puck right there, you're gonna outwill your opponent and make sure he doesn't tap it in the net. And that's something that we better find... quickly.
-----------------------------------------
Preach on, Yeosie.
But hey, gang, it's just hockey. With that in mind, go enjoy your family and food and presents and vacation and whatnot for the next few days. That's the stuff that matters in the end.
That and reading T3I religiously. ;)
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it. Have a nice week to those who don't. We'll see you on Boxing Day.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
And The Latest EPIC FAIL From St. Paul
I try to defend the Aeros/Wild connection. I try to defend the thinking up in St. Paul. After all, it's my firm belief that the Wild own the club, and that the Aeros exist for the benefit of the Wild so our complaints about whether they sign or don't sign guys who really aren't in the plans of the Wild don't really matter into the equation, but...
It was my firm belief that, no matter how good it was for the team, the Aeros season ticket holders were being screwed over by the Wild moving one of the home games to St. Paul. Now the Wild's basic piss-poor response was that the Aeros fans would be allowed to either use their existing ticket for admittance to the game in St. Paul, or else it could be exchanged for tickets to another game in Houston, which kind of made no sense since a season ticket holder actually already has tickets for all of the games. But since when has logic had anything to do with anything, right?
That brings us to the latest announcement from the Wild re this Aeros game in St. Paul. They've changed the date of the game. So if you're one of those people who booked a trip to St. Paul so that you could use your ticket to watch this game, well, screw you.
Instead of playing the game on the afternoon of Saturday, February 12, before the Blues/Wild game that night, the game has been moved to Sunday afternoon, February 13. Which, you know, probably just screws you up if you're actually flying home on Sunday.
Then again, the season ticket holders don't really matter, right? They can always move more games to weekday afternoons and give the tickets to school kids, or they can always sell tickets to people who want to bring their dogs to a game for some reason.
I would suggest you call or send an email or something, but we all know it wouldn't amount to anything.
It was my firm belief that, no matter how good it was for the team, the Aeros season ticket holders were being screwed over by the Wild moving one of the home games to St. Paul. Now the Wild's basic piss-poor response was that the Aeros fans would be allowed to either use their existing ticket for admittance to the game in St. Paul, or else it could be exchanged for tickets to another game in Houston, which kind of made no sense since a season ticket holder actually already has tickets for all of the games. But since when has logic had anything to do with anything, right?
That brings us to the latest announcement from the Wild re this Aeros game in St. Paul. They've changed the date of the game. So if you're one of those people who booked a trip to St. Paul so that you could use your ticket to watch this game, well, screw you.
Instead of playing the game on the afternoon of Saturday, February 12, before the Blues/Wild game that night, the game has been moved to Sunday afternoon, February 13. Which, you know, probably just screws you up if you're actually flying home on Sunday.
Then again, the season ticket holders don't really matter, right? They can always move more games to weekday afternoons and give the tickets to school kids, or they can always sell tickets to people who want to bring their dogs to a game for some reason.
I would suggest you call or send an email or something, but we all know it wouldn't amount to anything.
The Year In Aeros Hockey: 25 Random Thoughts Centered Around Ice Girls
Hey gang, I've got a new post up over at the mothership in which I offer up my thoughts on the Aeros of 2010. And as always, I ask the big question that we all have: where are the Ice Girls?Beyond that, it's really just my thoughts on the end of last season, the start of this season, and some of the shakeups and changes which the team has undergone. So before you head up to Toyota Center for tonight's game, how about giving it a read and letting the bosses know you enjoyed it, or hated it. (BTW: I've got to cover UH basketball tonight, so I won't be there, but I'm sure Heather and Andrew will be around to give you lots of good details. I will, however, be at the game on the 26th).
And speaking for myself, Happy Holidays, and thanks for reading, both here and the mothership. It is much appreciated.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Griffins chew up, spit out Aeros 5-2
By all accounts, the Aeros just weren't feeling it last night in Grand Rapids. A whopping 19 shots on goal and a 5-2 loss are just the numbers that speak to it.
What's worse is that Anton Khudobin was given the hook for the second time in as many games after 2 goals on 3 shots in 8 minutes. Andrew suggested to me it was an attempt at a momentum shift that just didn't work and after watching the first 8 minutes, I think that could be part of it, but Anton wasn't sharp either.
I'm concerned about him right now. Before these last two DNFs, he was on a nice win streak, but he's consistently letting in soft, untimely goals at least once a game most nights.
And for me, he hasn't reached the same level of consistency and focus he had back last November, when he played so well in the opening months of the season, he earned a trip to the AHL All-Star Game. He was AMAZING in his NHL call-ups later in the season, so you know he CAN stop with the best of them. Is it a motivation thing? Is he bored? Is Hackett not enough to push him?
I wouldn't bother getting after him if I didn't believe he was a tremendous goalie with the ability to dominate and frustrate when his game is on. He's acrobatic, quick, resilient, confident, unpredictable. So I have to think the key is somewhere between his ears.
I just hope he gets it under control, because Hackett is still too green and shouldn't be expected to carry the load at this point in his career. Some rookie goalies can pull that off, but he's just not going to be one of them. He's talented but still finding his way in terms of pro confidence.
Anyway, Anton let in the first two, Hackett let in a couple himself to get the L by his name, and the fifth was an empty net goal. Though I don't know why they even bothered to pull the goalie given the lack of offense the team was showing.
Even with the extra man, there's no way they were getting two more goals in just a minute or two. Then again, maybe it's a good thing. Yeo showing faith in their ability to fight back until the final buzzer.
Sometimes I feel like we should have a "Cynicism Meter" over on the side of the page. I'm on the line between Yellow and Orange today. Sorry about that. Not getting much inner beauty sleep lately...
I guess if anything good can be said:
What's worse is that Anton Khudobin was given the hook for the second time in as many games after 2 goals on 3 shots in 8 minutes. Andrew suggested to me it was an attempt at a momentum shift that just didn't work and after watching the first 8 minutes, I think that could be part of it, but Anton wasn't sharp either.
I'm concerned about him right now. Before these last two DNFs, he was on a nice win streak, but he's consistently letting in soft, untimely goals at least once a game most nights.
And for me, he hasn't reached the same level of consistency and focus he had back last November, when he played so well in the opening months of the season, he earned a trip to the AHL All-Star Game. He was AMAZING in his NHL call-ups later in the season, so you know he CAN stop with the best of them. Is it a motivation thing? Is he bored? Is Hackett not enough to push him?
I wouldn't bother getting after him if I didn't believe he was a tremendous goalie with the ability to dominate and frustrate when his game is on. He's acrobatic, quick, resilient, confident, unpredictable. So I have to think the key is somewhere between his ears.
I just hope he gets it under control, because Hackett is still too green and shouldn't be expected to carry the load at this point in his career. Some rookie goalies can pull that off, but he's just not going to be one of them. He's talented but still finding his way in terms of pro confidence.
Anyway, Anton let in the first two, Hackett let in a couple himself to get the L by his name, and the fifth was an empty net goal. Though I don't know why they even bothered to pull the goalie given the lack of offense the team was showing.
Even with the extra man, there's no way they were getting two more goals in just a minute or two. Then again, maybe it's a good thing. Yeo showing faith in their ability to fight back until the final buzzer.
Sometimes I feel like we should have a "Cynicism Meter" over on the side of the page. I'm on the line between Yellow and Orange today. Sorry about that. Not getting much inner beauty sleep lately...
I guess if anything good can be said:
- Gillies scored (guess he didn't like my defenseman-conversion-if-he's-not-gonna-bring-any-offense suggestion)
- Joe indicated both the fights (Bagnall and Kassian) were decisions for the good guys
- No bus accidents in all these miles
On to Manitoba Friday and Saturday, where the Meese just dropped behind the Griffins in the North division standings. I guarantee at least one goal for former Aero Marco Rosa (who I still really miss watching play). He recently busted out of a scoring drought and, recalling his streaky nature, combined with the joy of lighting the lamp on your former team, I imagine the Aeros goalies will see plenty of him.
----------------------
A couple of something extras for ya:
Somebody put together the top 50 hockey names and our boy Cal Clutterbuck was numero uno. Here's the Puck Daddy piece with a link to the original article.
Also, if you don't read my blog, you might not know that Binghamton has discovered our boy Barry Brust is the best thing since indoor plumbing.
Here's a big feature that was in the paper yesterday, and a PDF of the article since they gave it pretty big/neat treatment in the print version. And here's some video of him doing his stuff up there and some interviews and whatnot:
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Aeros put down the Bulldogs in Hamilton 3-1
Well, it might be Hell Week, but so far Hell's looking pretty damned good.
The Aeros made this season's second foray north of the border last night to play the Hamilton Bulldogs and somehow found a way to switch up some of the bad habits that have been plaguing them.
For the first time this season, they won in spite of not being the first team to score. AND, they got the lead early in the third period and HELD it.
I know! Me, too!!
Matt Hackett also got off his personal 3-game losing streak with 24 saves in the victory.
And what's more, Brandon Buck moved up to the Almond/DiSalvatore line and earned his second career AHL tally, and first in 49 games with the Aeros, with the game winning goal early in the third period. Even nicer is that he's from the area, apparently, and hopefully had a bunch of folks in to see it.
He was replacing Daoust on that line and if the goal is any indication of the success of that move, I'm guessing the spot is his for a while. Daoust just isn't producing like I would have hoped, so maybe this shake-up will be good for all parties and get him going, too.
Before that, the tying goal came from Robbie Earl midway through the second, literally within seconds of Hamilton getting the first goal of the night. I only heard it on the radio but it sounds like Casey Wellman did the work to set it up. Dude is en fuego. We better hope the Wild's top lines stay healthy or he's gonzo.
Hamilton pulled goalie Curtis Sanford out of the net with about a minute and a half left and from the sounds of it (which Joe was fantastic calling as I was driving to my own game last night), the Aeros had several chances on the empty net. But it was Warren Peters, fresh back from the NHL, who found the inside of the net to seal the deal.
Tonight, the boys face Grand Rapids at 6 p.m. our time. The Griffins are toiling at the bottom end of the North Division standings, but boy do hey have a lot of PIM. Either they're very undisciplined or they're mean sons of bitches. Or both.
They've only won 2 of their last 6, but they're showing up well-rested but, having played Sunday, not quite rusty. The Aeros, on the other hand, had to make the 6 hour haul from Hamilton to Grand Rapids after the game last night. That's always easier with a belly full of Win but still, no morning skate to shake off the bus legs. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see it take half a period or so to get the legs going.
----------------------------
In other news, the Houston Women's Hockey League Wisco Badgers whipped the Harvard Crimson last night at Space City Ice 3-2. And then drank a helluva lot of beer. Woohoo!
Have a great day! I'mma go scrape the cotton balls out of my mouth.
The Aeros made this season's second foray north of the border last night to play the Hamilton Bulldogs and somehow found a way to switch up some of the bad habits that have been plaguing them.
For the first time this season, they won in spite of not being the first team to score. AND, they got the lead early in the third period and HELD it.
I know! Me, too!!
Matt Hackett also got off his personal 3-game losing streak with 24 saves in the victory.
And what's more, Brandon Buck moved up to the Almond/DiSalvatore line and earned his second career AHL tally, and first in 49 games with the Aeros, with the game winning goal early in the third period. Even nicer is that he's from the area, apparently, and hopefully had a bunch of folks in to see it.
He was replacing Daoust on that line and if the goal is any indication of the success of that move, I'm guessing the spot is his for a while. Daoust just isn't producing like I would have hoped, so maybe this shake-up will be good for all parties and get him going, too.
Before that, the tying goal came from Robbie Earl midway through the second, literally within seconds of Hamilton getting the first goal of the night. I only heard it on the radio but it sounds like Casey Wellman did the work to set it up. Dude is en fuego. We better hope the Wild's top lines stay healthy or he's gonzo.
Hamilton pulled goalie Curtis Sanford out of the net with about a minute and a half left and from the sounds of it (which Joe was fantastic calling as I was driving to my own game last night), the Aeros had several chances on the empty net. But it was Warren Peters, fresh back from the NHL, who found the inside of the net to seal the deal.
Tonight, the boys face Grand Rapids at 6 p.m. our time. The Griffins are toiling at the bottom end of the North Division standings, but boy do hey have a lot of PIM. Either they're very undisciplined or they're mean sons of bitches. Or both.
They've only won 2 of their last 6, but they're showing up well-rested but, having played Sunday, not quite rusty. The Aeros, on the other hand, had to make the 6 hour haul from Hamilton to Grand Rapids after the game last night. That's always easier with a belly full of Win but still, no morning skate to shake off the bus legs. Wouldn't be surprised at all to see it take half a period or so to get the legs going.
----------------------------
In other news, the Houston Women's Hockey League Wisco Badgers whipped the Harvard Crimson last night at Space City Ice 3-2. And then drank a helluva lot of beer. Woohoo!
Have a great day! I'mma go scrape the cotton balls out of my mouth.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Hell Week Starts tonight in Hamilton
In the next three weeks, the Aeros are going to play two sets of four games in five nights (with the latter actually being played out to five games in seven nights.) Seven of those games are going to be on the road, and two of the home games (Hamilton on Dec. 21 and San Antonio on Jan. 1) are against the best two teams in the Western Conference.
They are 15-11-1-2, and if they can make it past New Year's day above .500, they will be set up quite nicely for the rest of the year and a run at the playoffs. They are still not one of the best (record + talent) four teams in the West Division. They are behind San Antonio, Peoria, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee and Texas. While they have shown they can play with the latter three of those teams, they have yet to do any significant damage against San Antonio and Peoria.
At a minimum, they need to get eight points (3-5-1-1) during the stretch and get past Jan. 1 above water. If they can do that, and not get burnt out on the road, I think they will be OK.
Here are some more nuggets for you. The Aeros biggest problem this year is being able to hold a lead. In their 13 losses, seven times they have led by at least a goal. In three of them, they had 2-0 leads including Sunday's donkey-kicking against the Monsters.
So only four times, when they did blow a lead or got shutout, the Aeros were pretty much out of the game by the third period. This is a good sign. The Aeros always seem to be in the game, but they have to learn how to protect the lead, and that, I think, is going to define Mike Yeo's first season in Houston.
If he can shore up their charitable mentality, and get this team into the playoffs, that will be a success.
But right now, the trend is not going in the right direction. In each of their last three losses, they have held leads of either 1-0 or 2-0. Not all of it is Yeo. The goalies are playing OK, but Anton was a huge part of the problem on Sunday. He has been pulled way too many times (and deservedly so) this year. There are stretches where there is no doubt in my mind that he could be a good backup in Minny. But most of the time, he looks like a goalie that is still figuring out how to play consistently.
And it didn't help that Casey Wellman, who had the best night an Aero ever had on Friday, was completely shut down on Sunday. We'll see how he responds against the Bulldogs.
This team is the best score-the-first-goal team I have ever been around at the AHL level. If they can keep doing that and figure out how to respond with their opponents turn things up a couple of notches, I think Aeros fans will be watching playoff hockey at Toyota Center this Spring.
Here is a list of the Aeros next nine games and my comments about who I think has the advantage (in bold), schedule-wise. Coaches rarely blame the schedule, but it does play a huge part in the outcomes of games (especially when your team is just above average or on the road a lot).
In their next 10 games, they only have three schedule advantages. If they can keep this from being ugly, hats off to the team and the staff.
Dec. 14, Aeros at Hamilton - Aeros coming off loss, Hamilton home since Dec. 10 and played Sunday
Dec. 15, Aeros at Grand Rapids - Aeros playing third in four days, Grand Rapids off since Sunday
Dec. 17, Aeros at Manitoba - Aeros have one day to get to Canada, Moose off since Dec. 14
Dec. 18. Aeros at Manitoba - Aeros finishing six games in nine days, MTB playing just 2nd in 5 days.
Dec. 21, Aeros vs Hamilton - Aeros get two days off, HAM playing 5th game in 7 days, four on the road
Dec. 26, Aeros vs. Texas - Both teams with a at least four days off, Aeros at home; TEX 1-4 vs. Aeros.
Dec. 27, Aeros at San Antonio - Aeros 0-2 at San Antonio, Rampage rusty with seven full days off.
Dec. 29, Aeros at Milwaukee - Both playing third game in four days; MKE is 6-1-2-1 at home.
Dec. 30, Aeros at Rockford - Aeros 4th in 5, Rockford have not played back-to-back since Dec. 18
Jan. 01, Aeros at San Antonio - Aeros 5th game in 7 days, Rampage first road game since Dec. 18
Now you are well-educated fans, and your expectations should be limited over the next few weeks.
To play us out, let's go to the Beach Boys, with this all too appropriate song for today:
They are 15-11-1-2, and if they can make it past New Year's day above .500, they will be set up quite nicely for the rest of the year and a run at the playoffs. They are still not one of the best (record + talent) four teams in the West Division. They are behind San Antonio, Peoria, Oklahoma City, Milwaukee and Texas. While they have shown they can play with the latter three of those teams, they have yet to do any significant damage against San Antonio and Peoria.
At a minimum, they need to get eight points (3-5-1-1) during the stretch and get past Jan. 1 above water. If they can do that, and not get burnt out on the road, I think they will be OK.
Here are some more nuggets for you. The Aeros biggest problem this year is being able to hold a lead. In their 13 losses, seven times they have led by at least a goal. In three of them, they had 2-0 leads including Sunday's donkey-kicking against the Monsters.
So only four times, when they did blow a lead or got shutout, the Aeros were pretty much out of the game by the third period. This is a good sign. The Aeros always seem to be in the game, but they have to learn how to protect the lead, and that, I think, is going to define Mike Yeo's first season in Houston.
If he can shore up their charitable mentality, and get this team into the playoffs, that will be a success.
But right now, the trend is not going in the right direction. In each of their last three losses, they have held leads of either 1-0 or 2-0. Not all of it is Yeo. The goalies are playing OK, but Anton was a huge part of the problem on Sunday. He has been pulled way too many times (and deservedly so) this year. There are stretches where there is no doubt in my mind that he could be a good backup in Minny. But most of the time, he looks like a goalie that is still figuring out how to play consistently.
And it didn't help that Casey Wellman, who had the best night an Aero ever had on Friday, was completely shut down on Sunday. We'll see how he responds against the Bulldogs.
This team is the best score-the-first-goal team I have ever been around at the AHL level. If they can keep doing that and figure out how to respond with their opponents turn things up a couple of notches, I think Aeros fans will be watching playoff hockey at Toyota Center this Spring.
Here is a list of the Aeros next nine games and my comments about who I think has the advantage (in bold), schedule-wise. Coaches rarely blame the schedule, but it does play a huge part in the outcomes of games (especially when your team is just above average or on the road a lot).
In their next 10 games, they only have three schedule advantages. If they can keep this from being ugly, hats off to the team and the staff.
Dec. 14, Aeros at Hamilton - Aeros coming off loss, Hamilton home since Dec. 10 and played Sunday
Dec. 15, Aeros at Grand Rapids - Aeros playing third in four days, Grand Rapids off since Sunday
Dec. 17, Aeros at Manitoba - Aeros have one day to get to Canada, Moose off since Dec. 14
Dec. 18. Aeros at Manitoba - Aeros finishing six games in nine days, MTB playing just 2nd in 5 days.
Dec. 21, Aeros vs Hamilton - Aeros get two days off, HAM playing 5th game in 7 days, four on the road
Dec. 26, Aeros vs. Texas - Both teams with a at least four days off, Aeros at home; TEX 1-4 vs. Aeros.
Dec. 27, Aeros at San Antonio - Aeros 0-2 at San Antonio, Rampage rusty with seven full days off.
Dec. 29, Aeros at Milwaukee - Both playing third game in four days; MKE is 6-1-2-1 at home.
Dec. 30, Aeros at Rockford - Aeros 4th in 5, Rockford have not played back-to-back since Dec. 18
Jan. 01, Aeros at San Antonio - Aeros 5th game in 7 days, Rampage first road game since Dec. 18
Now you are well-educated fans, and your expectations should be limited over the next few weeks.
To play us out, let's go to the Beach Boys, with this all too appropriate song for today:
Saturday, December 11, 2010
A few notes on Wellman's four-goal night
We got a few comments on Wellman's performance last night and a few questions, too, so that sent me to the archives for some game notes for you. Last night, Wellman put on full display the single greatest individual performance in team history.
But there have been two that were very close.
First, as mentioned in a comment by Forecheck, Dave Hymovitz had a decent debut for the IHL Aeros in 2000. He was the Aeros lone trade-deadline acquisition that season when Ron Low shipped Jeff Daw to AHL Lowell on St. Patty's Day in 2000.
Hymovitz (who later played for the Ottawa Senators) did not score five goals in the game vs. KC at Kemper Arena -- Joe O'Donnell and the PR staff got it right. He scored four in that televised game at KC, but he followed that up with three more in the next game at home against Utah. He is the only Aeros player EVER to score seven goals in two games. How is that for a debut?
That was a good performance, to be sure, but when Roman Voloshenko turned the trick in 2005, he did it against Chris Osgood, who was with Grand Rapids on a rehab assignment. (And you know that jock strap that Ms. C drew for Climie? It is on the opposite side of the arena from Osgood's.) Volo's first goal that night (just 28 seconds in) was an absolute sick wrister from the blue line that I still remember VERY clearly. That opened the floodgates.
That night at Toyota Center, Voloshenko scored two goals on the power play, which is why Wellman's performance cannot be disputed as the single greatest.
If you are on the team and are reading this today, please call or text your teammate with this news. The Aeros have been around a long time and have feature many great players over the year, but Wellman's game against the Rampage Friday stands above them all.
Peters recalled by Wild
Russo reported tonight that Warren Peters was the lucky call-up to the Wild this weekend in case a couple of the guys can't go tomorrow.
Until we found out Peters was the guy who'd been sent up, I really thought Wellman was just auditioning for his call-up in front of the GMs, but no. So much for cynicism. That just happened.
Good for Peters though, as he really stepped up his game after a somewhat ineffective first few games of the season. He's been a mover and shaker for the Aeros the last few weeks.
Until we found out Peters was the guy who'd been sent up, I really thought Wellman was just auditioning for his call-up in front of the GMs, but no. So much for cynicism. That just happened.
Good for Peters though, as he really stepped up his game after a somewhat ineffective first few games of the season. He's been a mover and shaker for the Aeros the last few weeks.
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