John pretty much summed up what I was going to discuss last night.
The nets. Three times (or is it four now?) this season pucks have gone through the nets. Only once, from what I can recall, did they get it right.
And that was in a game against the Texas Stars. It was their goal, and they needed it to win.
Here is John's summary on this subject in case you missed it from last night:
"How many more times this season will there have to be a controversy regarding the goal judges and the goal netting before something actually gets done? From what we were hearing after the game the problem apparently is with the nets as pucks keep flying through the nets during the Toyota Center morning skates. That raises the question: just how hard can it be to get new nets? Especially nets that do what they're supposed to do and keep the puck in the goal?"
I thought someone was just kidding when they said it happened all the time in the morning skate.
But when I heard a key member of the Aeros staff tell some fans that it happens 2-3 times per week, I knew this was just more than random chance.
Now what I don't know if if the coaching staff has talked to the Wild or the front office about getting some new nets.
If this truly is a problem, this is going to cost someone dearly down the road when ever goal is critical.
I trust that those in charge of the Aeros will make this right.
I have one final point regarding this topic. A key member of the Aeros staff and a player were waiting after the game for a simple explanation from the one person that is in charge of having the best view of the net: the goal judge.
Now I know who was back there, but I have enough respect for him not to use his name in this blog. But what I don't understand is why he did not come down after the game to tell the Aeros what he saw.
Two members of the staff were pretty upset to at least not get an explanation from the goal judge.
Maybe they talked after we all left and this is a moot point. I hope that is the case.
In closing, I hope the Aeros can hang with a well-rested and angry Milwaukee Admirals team. They are in a huge slump (just three wins in last 15 games) and they will come out firing everything at the Aeros.
Last night was one of the best I've covered in 10 years on the beat.
It had a little bit of everything, and like ICEVET said, the crowd willed the team team to win.
David Burke and his staff have done an A+ job of getting butts in the seats. You can't say enough for what I believe is now three 10,000 plus crowds this season, including the largest since Game 7 of the 1999 Finals at Compaq Center.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Do You Believe In Miracles? The Aeros Win In The Shootout
It finally happened. The unthinkable. The unbelievable. The Aeros won a game in the shootout, coming back from a 4-1 second period deficit to defeat the Lake Erie Monsters 5-4.
That's right. You read me correctly. The Aeros won a game, at home, in the shootout.
The Aeros took the early lead when David McIntyre made a great play from down low and put the puck in at 6:56 of the first. But things quickly fell apart as Lake Erie scored three unanswered first period goals, the first coming at 12:39 and the second goal coming at 13:47 on an own-goal when Chay Genoway proceeded to pass the puck to Matt Hackett and Hackett muffed the play and knocked the puck into his own goal. Luke Walker got the third goal at 18:31 when he went backhand on Hackett.
"Tonight's theme was weather the storm," Torchetti said. "I told them I don't mind weathering a storm, but not our own. We created our own storm. That's the thing. Once we get this thing going right, we'll be heading in the right direction."
The Monsters scored early in the second to make it 4-1, and for most of the second the Aeros resembled the Keystone Kops out on the ice as nothing, nothing, appeared to be going right. Missed passes. Overskating the puck. Not taking shots when they were there and taking shots when they didn't have them. But Chay Genoway struck on the power play with a rocket from the right circle at 18:54 to make it 4-2 going into the second intermission.
The Aeros made it 4-3 at the 11:03 mark when Jon DiSalvatore faked out Lake Erie's goalie Gerald Coleman, passing the puck to Jeff Taffe at the last moment who put the puck into the wide open net. And Kris Foucautl tied it at 14:29 on a fluke, when down below the red goal line, he attempted to pass the puck up across ice to one of his teammates, only to have the puck bounce off of Coleman and into the net.
"Good things are happening," Torchetti said. "They came out -- it was kind of a weird first period. We were outshooting them eight to two and a couple of instances and the pucks in the net. They did a good job executing on the power play. Our penalty kill has to get better if we're going to be a contending team in the playoffs. Has to get better."
The Aeros had some chances to win in overtime, especially early on when Coleman made a great stop on Chad Rau. But with the crowd roaring, the Aeros came out first in the overtime and saw the impossible happen. Justin Fontaine made a fantastic move that faked Coleman out of his skates and the Aeros were suddenly up 1-0 on the shootout. Matt Hackett made some fantastic stops and the game was won when the final shooter, C.J. Stretch, buried the puck in the net for the 2-0 shootout lead and the 5-4 shootout win.
""I just went out there and tried to do it for the team," Stretch said. "There were a lot of fans here, too, so that just kind of helps you out and gets you going. I guess I just really wanted to score and it just happened."
The win was not without controversy as once again the Aeros were upset with the goal judges as Kris Foucault claimed his shootout shot went through the netting. But the goal judge ruled no goal and after the game we were rewarded with another lecture on the need for better nets in the goals -- Andrew should be following up on this later.
There was a lot of bad hockey in this game by the Aeros, especially in the second period, but for now, it doesn't matter as the Aeros actually hung on to get the win before a crowd of 13,390, the largest ever crowd to see the Aeros play at Toyota Center.
"It was like, god, I hope we don't lose in front of this crowd because they deserved it," Torchetti said. "They were great, they were loud. It's what we like playing in front of every night, that's for sure."
The Aeros return to action tomorrow at 12:05 for a game against a well-rested Milwaukee Admiral team that rolled into Toyota Center well before game time tonight.
SOME MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:
This was the first Aeros shootout win at home this season, and only their second shootout win for the season....
David McIntyre got to enjoy scoring a goal on his birthday...
The out-of-left field trivia of the night is that Chris Clackson is an iPhone app developer, having developed while in college an iPhone app called Grocery Time that helps with budgeting, keeping track of food freshness, etc....
How many more times this season will there have to be a controversy regarding the goal judges and the goal netting before something actually gets done? From what we were hearing after the game the problem apparently is with the nets as pucks keep flying through the nets during the Toyota Center morning skates. That raises the question: just how hard can it be to get new nets? Especially nets that do what they're supposed to do and keep the puck in the goal?
That's right. You read me correctly. The Aeros won a game, at home, in the shootout.
The Aeros took the early lead when David McIntyre made a great play from down low and put the puck in at 6:56 of the first. But things quickly fell apart as Lake Erie scored three unanswered first period goals, the first coming at 12:39 and the second goal coming at 13:47 on an own-goal when Chay Genoway proceeded to pass the puck to Matt Hackett and Hackett muffed the play and knocked the puck into his own goal. Luke Walker got the third goal at 18:31 when he went backhand on Hackett.
"Tonight's theme was weather the storm," Torchetti said. "I told them I don't mind weathering a storm, but not our own. We created our own storm. That's the thing. Once we get this thing going right, we'll be heading in the right direction."
The Monsters scored early in the second to make it 4-1, and for most of the second the Aeros resembled the Keystone Kops out on the ice as nothing, nothing, appeared to be going right. Missed passes. Overskating the puck. Not taking shots when they were there and taking shots when they didn't have them. But Chay Genoway struck on the power play with a rocket from the right circle at 18:54 to make it 4-2 going into the second intermission.
The Aeros made it 4-3 at the 11:03 mark when Jon DiSalvatore faked out Lake Erie's goalie Gerald Coleman, passing the puck to Jeff Taffe at the last moment who put the puck into the wide open net. And Kris Foucautl tied it at 14:29 on a fluke, when down below the red goal line, he attempted to pass the puck up across ice to one of his teammates, only to have the puck bounce off of Coleman and into the net.
"Good things are happening," Torchetti said. "They came out -- it was kind of a weird first period. We were outshooting them eight to two and a couple of instances and the pucks in the net. They did a good job executing on the power play. Our penalty kill has to get better if we're going to be a contending team in the playoffs. Has to get better."
The Aeros had some chances to win in overtime, especially early on when Coleman made a great stop on Chad Rau. But with the crowd roaring, the Aeros came out first in the overtime and saw the impossible happen. Justin Fontaine made a fantastic move that faked Coleman out of his skates and the Aeros were suddenly up 1-0 on the shootout. Matt Hackett made some fantastic stops and the game was won when the final shooter, C.J. Stretch, buried the puck in the net for the 2-0 shootout lead and the 5-4 shootout win.
""I just went out there and tried to do it for the team," Stretch said. "There were a lot of fans here, too, so that just kind of helps you out and gets you going. I guess I just really wanted to score and it just happened."
The win was not without controversy as once again the Aeros were upset with the goal judges as Kris Foucault claimed his shootout shot went through the netting. But the goal judge ruled no goal and after the game we were rewarded with another lecture on the need for better nets in the goals -- Andrew should be following up on this later.
There was a lot of bad hockey in this game by the Aeros, especially in the second period, but for now, it doesn't matter as the Aeros actually hung on to get the win before a crowd of 13,390, the largest ever crowd to see the Aeros play at Toyota Center.
"It was like, god, I hope we don't lose in front of this crowd because they deserved it," Torchetti said. "They were great, they were loud. It's what we like playing in front of every night, that's for sure."
The Aeros return to action tomorrow at 12:05 for a game against a well-rested Milwaukee Admiral team that rolled into Toyota Center well before game time tonight.
SOME MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:
This was the first Aeros shootout win at home this season, and only their second shootout win for the season....
David McIntyre got to enjoy scoring a goal on his birthday...
The out-of-left field trivia of the night is that Chris Clackson is an iPhone app developer, having developed while in college an iPhone app called Grocery Time that helps with budgeting, keeping track of food freshness, etc....
How many more times this season will there have to be a controversy regarding the goal judges and the goal netting before something actually gets done? From what we were hearing after the game the problem apparently is with the nets as pucks keep flying through the nets during the Toyota Center morning skates. That raises the question: just how hard can it be to get new nets? Especially nets that do what they're supposed to do and keep the puck in the goal?
Friday, February 3, 2012
Casey Wellman Traded To Whale
We're hearing word from Hartford that Casey Wellman has been traded to the Connecticut Whale, who are part of the New York Rangers organization. Wild beat writer Michael Russo is also reporting the trade, and he's saying that the Wild are receiving New York Rangers center Erik Christensen and a seventh round draft choice. We're still trying to work out all of the details here, and figure out fact from rumor, but I'd go with Russo being correct.
UPDATE: It's official. Wellman to the Whale. Christensen to the Wild. Chad Rau is being returned to the Aeros.
UPDATE: It's official. Wellman to the Whale. Christensen to the Wild. Chad Rau is being returned to the Aeros.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
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*).
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*).
View from the Press Box - Aeros win ... at home!
You can bet all the talk on the Stars side of things will be centered on what would have happened Thursday minus Raycroft's second-period brain freeze.
But that was a break the Aeros, winless in six before the 3-1 win over Texas, desperately needed.
Wellman and Fontaine looked really good out there, as did, I thought DiSalvatore and Hackett.
Dave McIntyre just had one of those nights, but you can bet he'll respond with a good pair of games this weekend.
The Aeros really turned on the jets after the CJ Stretch goal was waived off. Personally, I did not see the kicking motion, even after seeing the replays, but I was not anywhere near as close as Banfield, and he waived it off immediately.
Even Torchetti said he's not the least bit worried about that call.
Other positives? The power play was better and produced the game-winner.
Hackett looked pretty confident, and his body language was better after allowing the first goal on a re-direction.
He just shook it off, and the Aeros really turned it up after that.
Jeff Taffe had one good scoring chance, was a plus-1 and recorded three shots on goal. Please read the post from earlier for more on his recent struggles.
Drew Bagnall was a quiet plus-two and was very good defensively.
DiSalvatore was a minus-1 Thursday, but he did get a team-high six shots on goal and created when possible.
The Aeros did a real good job against the Benn/Hedden/Morin line. Those three just looked a bit off, so it was nice to see the Aeros take advantage of that.
That is pretty much all I have for now. What did you think of the game tonight?
What do you think the Aeros need to do to keep the streak alive against Lake Erie and Milwaukee?
But that was a break the Aeros, winless in six before the 3-1 win over Texas, desperately needed.
Wellman and Fontaine looked really good out there, as did, I thought DiSalvatore and Hackett.
Dave McIntyre just had one of those nights, but you can bet he'll respond with a good pair of games this weekend.
The Aeros really turned on the jets after the CJ Stretch goal was waived off. Personally, I did not see the kicking motion, even after seeing the replays, but I was not anywhere near as close as Banfield, and he waived it off immediately.
Even Torchetti said he's not the least bit worried about that call.
Other positives? The power play was better and produced the game-winner.
Hackett looked pretty confident, and his body language was better after allowing the first goal on a re-direction.
He just shook it off, and the Aeros really turned it up after that.
Jeff Taffe had one good scoring chance, was a plus-1 and recorded three shots on goal. Please read the post from earlier for more on his recent struggles.
Drew Bagnall was a quiet plus-two and was very good defensively.
DiSalvatore was a minus-1 Thursday, but he did get a team-high six shots on goal and created when possible.
The Aeros did a real good job against the Benn/Hedden/Morin line. Those three just looked a bit off, so it was nice to see the Aeros take advantage of that.
That is pretty much all I have for now. What did you think of the game tonight?
What do you think the Aeros need to do to keep the streak alive against Lake Erie and Milwaukee?
Game Day, Aeros vs. Texas; It's time to step up
Normally I don't get a chance to go to Toyota Center for the morning skate, but something made me detour on the way to work. I watched the skate and then talked to Torch after the 60-minute workout. A few things stick out in advance of tonight's game against the Texas Stars.
First, we addressed last weekend, when the Aeros were bombed 10-2 by OKC and San Antonio. The scores weren't as bad as the games, but in the first game, a bad first goal led to another and before you knew it ... boom.
"We were fine in OKC, came out shooting, up 8-2 in shots; we were detailed, and then we don’t stay on the point with our execution on a forecheck," said Torchetti. "Boom, they get a goal on wrist shot from just inside the blueline, and then they score on the power play. Whatever they are shooting is going in right now, and whatever we’re doing is just letting it in. That is tough."
As for San Antonio?
"I think we played well enough to win in San Antonio, but again," said Torch. "We had three bad breakdowns."
And they aaaallllll ended up in the net.
We also talked about Hackett's numbers and his recent propensity for allowing at least one bad goal every game since, well, since he was sent back down from Minnesota. Torchetti defended his sophomore goalie, and said the wins will come again.
"At the beginning of the year, Hack pretty much won us a bunch of games," said Torch. "And I don’t even think he even got No. 1 player for our team. Everyone just said, 'Oh, it’s just Hack, he doesn’t deserve a helmet (the prize the Aeros give to their player of the game) for just being himself.'
"But then, when we’re not winning, it’s, 'Oh, Hack let in a soft one.' It’s a two-way street. We have to button down, too, for him."
Torch, as he does so often, then went on a bit of a tangent ... He went from talking about Hackett being able to win games for the team to challenging the veterans on the team to step up and score a big (and timely) power play goal tonight.
And that set up the next topic rather nicely. Jeff Taffe.
In 14 games since New Year's, he has not scored a goal and he's minus-11. He's down to minus-17 (17!) and if my notes are right, there are only two guys in the entire league worse off. Taffe is not minus-17 player. But it will only get worse if some shots don't start going in for him, and if he continues to let up (defensively) during critical times of the game.
Taffe, who hits more posts than anyone since Steve Kelly, needs to shoot the puck more. And that is exactly what Torchetti said.
"It’s a situation for him that, one, you want to get out of the scoring slump," said Torchetti. "To do that, you have to put the puck on the net more, which we’ve talked about.
"He is a big part of our success, and I am putting some pressure on him; I have to. I know he can do it, though. He will come through. It just seems that everyone is slumping at the same time."
Re-read that last line. Not only is everyone slumping at the same time, there is almost no-one left in the lineup. The depth is gone, and team confidence is at all all-time low ... for this season.
Make no mistake, tonight is a huge game. The Aeros desperately need a win, and they need to do it at home. They've just one win at Toyota Center since Dec. 16. They've won just three of their last 14 games at home (even though they do have points in seven of their 11 losses).
My gut says no tonight and yes to Saturday and Sunday. I just have a feeling the weekend could go really well, but it's nothing more than a hunch.
Hopefully my prediction for tonight will smack off the post and land in the corner for what fans really want - a Houston Aeros victory.
First, we addressed last weekend, when the Aeros were bombed 10-2 by OKC and San Antonio. The scores weren't as bad as the games, but in the first game, a bad first goal led to another and before you knew it ... boom.
"We were fine in OKC, came out shooting, up 8-2 in shots; we were detailed, and then we don’t stay on the point with our execution on a forecheck," said Torchetti. "Boom, they get a goal on wrist shot from just inside the blueline, and then they score on the power play. Whatever they are shooting is going in right now, and whatever we’re doing is just letting it in. That is tough."
As for San Antonio?
"I think we played well enough to win in San Antonio, but again," said Torch. "We had three bad breakdowns."
And they aaaallllll ended up in the net.
 |
| "What do you mean Matt can't hack it? He is the (f**king) bomb up in this place ... He will score three goals tonight." |
"At the beginning of the year, Hack pretty much won us a bunch of games," said Torch. "And I don’t even think he even got No. 1 player for our team. Everyone just said, 'Oh, it’s just Hack, he doesn’t deserve a helmet (the prize the Aeros give to their player of the game) for just being himself.'
"But then, when we’re not winning, it’s, 'Oh, Hack let in a soft one.' It’s a two-way street. We have to button down, too, for him."
Torch, as he does so often, then went on a bit of a tangent ... He went from talking about Hackett being able to win games for the team to challenging the veterans on the team to step up and score a big (and timely) power play goal tonight.
And that set up the next topic rather nicely. Jeff Taffe.
In 14 games since New Year's, he has not scored a goal and he's minus-11. He's down to minus-17 (17!) and if my notes are right, there are only two guys in the entire league worse off. Taffe is not minus-17 player. But it will only get worse if some shots don't start going in for him, and if he continues to let up (defensively) during critical times of the game.
Taffe, who hits more posts than anyone since Steve Kelly, needs to shoot the puck more. And that is exactly what Torchetti said.
"It’s a situation for him that, one, you want to get out of the scoring slump," said Torchetti. "To do that, you have to put the puck on the net more, which we’ve talked about.
"He is a big part of our success, and I am putting some pressure on him; I have to. I know he can do it, though. He will come through. It just seems that everyone is slumping at the same time."
Re-read that last line. Not only is everyone slumping at the same time, there is almost no-one left in the lineup. The depth is gone, and team confidence is at all all-time low ... for this season.
Make no mistake, tonight is a huge game. The Aeros desperately need a win, and they need to do it at home. They've just one win at Toyota Center since Dec. 16. They've won just three of their last 14 games at home (even though they do have points in seven of their 11 losses).
My gut says no tonight and yes to Saturday and Sunday. I just have a feeling the weekend could go really well, but it's nothing more than a hunch.
Hopefully my prediction for tonight will smack off the post and land in the corner for what fans really want - a Houston Aeros victory.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
AHL Western Conference Power Rankings
From now until the end of the season, I will post a weekly power rankings column here at The Third Intermission. I only wish I had time to do both conferences, but since I will not see the East virtually at all this season, I will only do this for our Western Conference friends.
The goal is to update this every Monday before games are played that day. Now that we are through the All Star break (speaking of which, Hackett just got beat 5-hole again) I think this is a great time to start.
* Division Leaders (and I changed CLT to CHA to appease MsConduct)
So what do you think? What do you agree with? Better yet, what don't you agree with?
The goal is to update this every Monday before games are played that day. Now that we are through the All Star break (speaking of which, Hackett just got beat 5-hole again) I think this is a great time to start.
I have ranked the teams this week based on their overall performance, of course, but I do favor recent success quite a bit here. For each week going forward, we'll take a look at the past week and any major transactions that may have affected the teams.
Enjoy.
2011-12 AHL Western Conference Power Rankings
January 31, 2012 edition
Rank
|
Team
|
Record
|
Streak
|
Last
|
Move
|
For the record …
|
1
|
OKC *
|
29-11-2-3
|
6-0-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Best team in the AHL
|
2
|
CHA*
|
26-16-2-2
|
0-1-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Top home record in West
|
3
|
TOR *
|
23-17-3-2
|
0-2-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Plus-13 goal differential
|
4
|
SAT
|
24-18-2-0
|
7-0-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Never won 8 straight
|
5
|
CHI
|
24-16-1-3
|
3-0-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
0-for-3 in shootouts
|
6
|
ABB
|
25-16-3-0
|
0-2-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
17-7 road record is killer
|
7
|
HOU
|
21-11-3-9
|
0-3-1-2
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
11 game trip looms
|
8
|
PEO
|
22-20-2-1
|
0-1-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Think Jeckyll and Hyde
|
9
|
RFD
|
20-21-1-4
|
6-0-0-1
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Just traded top d-man
|
10
|
MKE
|
22-18-1-1
|
0-4-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
2-11 on road since 11/26
|
11
|
RCH
|
19-17-5-3
|
1-0-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
9-3-0-1 since Dec. 31
|
12
|
GRR
|
18-17-4-4
|
1-0-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Rookie Nyquist is a beast
|
13
|
TEX
|
20-20-1-2
|
0-2-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Just 9-14-0-2 vs. West
|
14
|
HAM
|
19-19-1-4
|
0-1-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Absolutely no scoring
|
15
|
LEM
|
20-22-2-1
|
1-0-0-0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
See above
|
If The Playoffs Started Now
With the All-Star Game over, and being past the halfway mark of the season, I thought I would give you an idea of how the Western Conference playoff seedings would look, as of now. It needs to be remembered that the first three seeds will consist of the division winners, then the final five spots will go to the teams with the most points. So...
1. Oklahoma City
2. Charlotte
3. Toronto
4. Houston
5. Abbotsford
6. Chicago
7. San Antonio
8. Peoria
The first round matchups would be:
Oklahoma City versus Peoria
Charlotte versus San Antonio
Toronto versus Chicago
Houston versus Abbotsford
So that's where we stand as we come out of the break. The West Division is, as always, pretty tight, and four of the division's five teams would make the playoffs under this format. And with the Aeros about to go on the road for a month, this is all subject to change.
1. Oklahoma City
2. Charlotte
3. Toronto
4. Houston
5. Abbotsford
6. Chicago
7. San Antonio
8. Peoria
The first round matchups would be:
Oklahoma City versus Peoria
Charlotte versus San Antonio
Toronto versus Chicago
Houston versus Abbotsford
So that's where we stand as we come out of the break. The West Division is, as always, pretty tight, and four of the division's five teams would make the playoffs under this format. And with the Aeros about to go on the road for a month, this is all subject to change.
Oh, Hackett!
Our friend Matt Hackett probably didn't have to buy any drinks last night. The Sophomore goalie gave up six first-period goals in the West's comeback win over the East last night in Atlantic City.
Hack probably had flashbacks of his last start in OKC, but that wasn't a zero defense All-star game.
Jon DiSalvatore assisted on a third period goal, and two of the three former Aeros that played in the game (Krys Kolanos, Ryan Hamilton and Corey Locke) also had points.
The game went to a shootout, where Ben Bishop stole the show.he stopped all four breakaways by the East.
I think the game and skills competition will be on the NHL Network later today, so be sure to watch the first period for sure.
Congrats to the Houston All-stars and safe travels back to Texas.
Hack probably had flashbacks of his last start in OKC, but that wasn't a zero defense All-star game.
Jon DiSalvatore assisted on a third period goal, and two of the three former Aeros that played in the game (Krys Kolanos, Ryan Hamilton and Corey Locke) also had points.
The game went to a shootout, where Ben Bishop stole the show.he stopped all four breakaways by the East.
I think the game and skills competition will be on the NHL Network later today, so be sure to watch the first period for sure.
Congrats to the Houston All-stars and safe travels back to Texas.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Off To Atlantic City
Matt Hackett wants you to read about heading off to the All-Star Game
If you've got the chance, John's got a new story in the Press today about Jon DiSalvatore and Matt Hackett heading off to the AHL All-Star Game after Saturday's game in San Antonio. It's the first AHL All-Star Game for both.
And for those of you on twitter, go welcome Jon DiSalvatore who has recently joined the crowded field of Aeros, including Matt Hackett, who is reveling in the fun that is twitter, though, it must be admitted, nobody quite yet stacks up to Matt Kassian.
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