Aeros sign NHL veteran D-man Paul Mara

With the lockout ending and two significant injuries on the Aeros' blue line this past weekend (Connelly and Bagnall, though we don't know the extent of Bagnall's), Aeros GM Jim Mill had some gaps to fill.

The latest one is signing Paul Mara, 33, and veteran of 734 NHL games, to a standard player contract. Mara's been with the Ontario Reign in the ECHL this season, but didn't play at all last season. His numbers look good in the Coast, though, and from what I understand, he's a tough son of a gun at a towering 6'4".

He was coached up in his earlier pro years by Torchetti when they were both in Tampa with the Lightning, so there's some familiarity there. Coach told me by text that Mara should bring some good veteran leadership to the team, which (and this is me talking) is something this team has needed, but not had room for, from the very beginning.

 Moreover, he bring some grit to a team that's... well... not the scariest I've seen.

So, nice signing IMO as, really, a new day dawns for the AHL, without all the super stars in the mix. Sure going to miss watching Granlund is person, but I think the Aeros are in good shape apart from injuries (which, don't let me fool you, is a pretty big problem at the moment).

See you hockey lovin' cats on Saturday.

Bonus observation from last night in Cedar Park

We were down interviewing some of the guys after the game, in particular McIntyre, with whom we wanted to talk about the lockout ending because he's one of the more veteran guys on the team.

I asked about the rampant penalties in the game and he immediately fell on the sword for that OT penalty, even though it looked entirely legit-but-accidental and not like the knucklehead stuff from most of the rest of the game, which is what I was really asking about.

He carried the blame for the loss on his shoulders (which is not remotely what we were looking for, but that's what good hockey guys do).

Then a moment later, Hackett walks by, pats McIntyre on the back, and says something to the effect of, "That was on me, man," taking blame for the OT goal.

I just wanted to share that, because in a night that had a pretty chaotic, last-day-of-school, devil may care vibe, and at a time where I think a lot of people are nervous about What Happens Next with the lockout ending and all these injuries, that was a grounding moment for me.

At the end of the day, you want a group of guys on the ice who have each others' backs, because a team like that is going to get the best out of each other.

So, players will come and go, injuries will thwart progress, and officials will have lousy nights, but it's valuable to be reminded here in the grind of mid-season that a team is about way more than what we see watching the game or combing through stats.

If you want to check the team's pulse, there it is.

Aeros fight for point, but lose to Stars in OT

I did not get back to Houston until really late last night, so I do apologize for the tardiness of this quick recap.

The Aeros scored a goal in each period during regulation, but a five-minute brain fart in the middle of the second period erased any chance for the team to stay ahead of Texas in the standings.

Texas won the game 4-3. 

Zucker celebrates after providing the secondary assist
on the game-tying goal - Photo by Josh Rasmussen/Texas Stars

The Aeros got goals from Petersen, Phillips and Larsson to get the game to overtime, but a bad penalty by David McIntyre sent the Stars on their game-winning power play. You just can't give up nine power play chances and expect to win on the road, especially when a third of your roster is on its annual trip to the disabled list.

The McIntyre call was legit, but the Aeros got baited into a bad game of "my pee-pee is bigger than yours" with referee Mark Lemelin. The Aeros lost this fight, and it cost them a point in the standings.

I am not blaming the officiating for this loss. It wasn't good, but ultimately three things cost the Aeros and they all worked against them as their road losing streak got just a little bigger. First, the turnover than led to the shorthanded goal that tied the game 1-1.

Bad play.

Then, after Phillips scored a pretty goal to get the lead back, the Aeros ECHL squad got caught looking around a bit and gave up Mike Hedden's first goal of the season. On the ice for that one? Derek Couture, Tyler Ludwig and Rob Mingardi. The vets on the ice for that one were Chad Rau and Steven Kampfer, who is still working his way back after a long term injury. He was minus two Sunday.

And then the third bad play was the McIntyre trip. That happened right near the blue line in the Stars end, and it really just wasn't a good penalty to take, especially when Lemelin just couldn't wait to throw his arm up in the air. Late in the third, he even called the old delay of game call on Matt Hackett with four minutes left in the regulation.

I know that trapezoid is there for a reason, but come on ... it was verrrryyy close, and that is overlooked many, many times throughout the season. I can't lie, though, Hackett was really on edge the whole game, and I was kind of hoping the Stars would covert there to see how he and Torchetti would react to that.

Please read Heather's recap here.

There were a lot of positives from the game, too.
The power play converted twice again. The Aeros killed off two 5-on-3s and the character they showed to kill those off and give the a point when Larsson scored in the third was impressive.

After the game, Torchetti said that he was very proud of his team for getting a point.

"Probably one of my better moments coaching with a team like that - how we battled," said Torchetti.

The No. 1 star of the game Sunday? Mark Lemelin ... 

The kill, especially Hackett, looked really good on that last Stars power play in regulation on the delay call to Hackett. And again, to battle on the road game in the third of a three and three, kill all of those penalties and still get a point ... good game by the Aeros, even if it was a bit wacky there in the second period.

Even with the sunshine there, I am VERY worried about the team right now. Connelly missed the game due to the shoulder injury in the Saturday win, and Bagnall played injured in the third period Sunday and then was not able to put weight on his left ankle/knee/leg at the end of regulation.

Now the lockout is over, and the Aeros are going to lose a few more players this weekend, just in time for another three in three.

I am curious to see how the Aeros handle the roster now, especially with the clock ticking away on the Toyota Center lease. Don't think for one second Jim Mill won't do what's best for the the team - he personally cares for the team's success more than just about more than any of his peers.

But the next four six weeks are going to be VERY interesting. Stay tuned.

Game Day - Aeros at Texas Stars

Right now the Texas Stars have 18 wins, the Aeros have 18 wins, the OKC Barons have 18 wins and the Charlotte Checkers have 19 wins. And the San Antonio Rampage, even though they are in last place in the division, they have the best goaltending and defense.

With the lockout ending, this race is wide open, and all the teams are playing today.
When the games are over today, the Aeros could be anywhere from tied for first to fourth in the division.

Photo by Morris Molina, Houston Aeros

No matter what you think about games in January, today's tilt with the Stars is a big game. The Aeros lost at home to Texas on Friday, and the Stars just absolutely crushed the Peoria Rivermen Saturday night. They are flying high right now, and it looks like the Aeros are going to get another dose of Nilstorp, the talented Texas netminder.

The Aeros have lost fight straight on the road, and are going to be without several key players. Granlund will likely stay in Houston and Brian Connelly is out with an upper body injury. He collided with a Rampage defenseman late in the game last night, and it looked like he messed up his shoulder pretty good.

What does that mean? Well, the Aeros are going to have to start playing better 5-on-5 hockey. Losing Granlund and Connelly is really, really going to hurt the power play, so all that talk about playing better "checking hockey" is going to have to start ASAP.

I am going over to Cedar Park for the game today ... and I know Heather is going, too, so be sure to follow her on Twitter (@hockeygalindo) for live reports. Also, we'll try to get some post game stuff from Torchetti as well.

Aeros Get 1-0 Win Over Rampage

It wasn't a pretty win tonight. There wasn't a lot of graceful skating. There wasn't a lot of scoring. There weren't even a lot of shots. But pretty doesn't matter. Not when you're on the winning side of a 1-0 shutout.

Nick Petersen took care of the scoring for the Aeros, netting a goal early in the second period. That goal was all that the Aeros needed, especially with Darcy Kuemper pitching the shutout, finishing the game with 19 saves as the Aeros stopped the Rampage four-game points streak in front of 6045 fans.

"Kuemper came up big tonight," head coach John Torchetti said. "We did a good job. They had to press for a goal, so they we were going to be a little bit more aggressive and take a little more chances. I thought we did a good job. I thought some guys had some big nights. The penalty kill came through. And we just have to keep feeding off of that."

Kuemper credited his teammates with the win.

"We controlled most of the play," he said. "There were a few chances, but the team did a great job in front of me. You limit the shots to under 20 that makes my job really easy. I just tried to play my part in the win."

And Torchetti said the win came about from something he's been preaching to the team: you've got to have a checking mentality to win the game: "That’s why you have to have a checking mentality," he said. "I’ve been preaching that since game one. You’ve got to be able to win a game 5-1 or 1-0."

Now the Aeros are off for Austin and a game tomorrow with the Stars. 

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES:

Who will play for the Aeros against the Stars is still slightly in question: Mikael Granlund missed tonight due to injury -- despite what you might have read elsewhere. And Brian Connelly was injured in the third period -- the extent of his injury wasn't known when we talked to Torchetti -- and Torchetti joked afterward that the Aeros must always have at least six injured players.
 

The Mikael Granlund Situation

A few of you might have noticed that Mikael Granlund skated during the warm-ups, but that he was scratched from the game. A few of you might have also have read on twitter that the Wild had Granlund pulled from the game so as not to risk injury with a possible NHL camp right around the corner.

But that's not quite the way things went down. Not according to the Aeros:

"He has a little soreness, so we don’t want to push that, especially with it being a three-in-three," Aeros coach John Torchetti said after the game. "So you’ve got to be careful with that."

Granlund was also seen after the game with a bit of a limp, and the "soreness" is in the same general area of his previous injury.

So maybe the Wild chose not to play Granlund to prevent further aggravation of an injury, and it sounds like he'll be able to  play tomorrow night. But if the Wild "had him pulled" to prevent an injury, then it appears they waited a game too long.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don't forget you can watch tonight's game on Comcast tomorrow at noon ...

I know we have not mentioned this on the blog yet, but don't forget ... those of you who have Comcast can watch tonight's game on Comcast Sports Houston tomorrow at noon. At least six games will be show on the network - tape delayed only - but this is a great way for the team and the network to fill some holes.

The network has the space, and of course the Aeros need the publicity.

Here is some text, including the initial schedule, from the press release we got ... Lots of good games on here in the near future.

COMCAST SPORTSNET HOUSTON TO BROADCAST DELAYED PACKAGE OF HOUSTON AEROS GAMES

At Least Six Aeros Games to Be Broadcast on Comcast Houston

Houston, TX – The Houston Aeros, in conjunction with Comcast SportsNet Houston, announced on Wednesday an agreement to broadcast at least six Houston Aeros home games.

All games, originating from Toyota Center, will air the day after each game is played. The first game features the Aeros taking on the Texas Stars and is set to air on Saturday, Jan.5, at noon. Aeros radio voice Joe O’Donnell will provide the play-by-play for each game.

“We are proud to partner with CSN Houston to expand our footprint in Southeast Texas”, said Houston Aeros General Manager Jim Mill. “This agreement is another way for us to connect with hockey fans in the Greater Houston area, providing an additional avenue for our loyal fans to watch their favorite team.”

Aeros Hockey on Comcast SportsNet Houston

Jan. 5 vs. Texas – noon

Jan. 6 vs. San Antonio – noon

Jan. 14 vs. Charlotte – 8 p.m.

Feb. 2 vs. Texas – noon

Feb. 5 vs. San Antonio – noon

Feb. 24 vs. OKC - TBD

Game Day - Aeros begin three in three weekend against the Texas Stars

Over the next week, including twice the weekend, the Aeros and Texas Stars are going to see a lot of each other. While there is still a lot of season left, don't underestimate the importance of these games ... especially for the Aeros, who later this month will start a stretch where they will play 18 of 23 games on the road. (If I could figure out how to make that last part blink, I would ... )

For you that means get to the Toyota Center while you can. Your only option for a good stretch of the season will be trying to watch AHL Live, arguably THE biggest #failure in all of sports technology.

The Aeros are 4-1-0-0 against Texas

For the Aeros, that means they better stock up on points while they can. Since that hot start on the road, the Aeros have lost five straight road games (outscored 17-8) and have just one regulation road win since Nov. 13.

To be fair, they have been really good at home since then, so they have been able to keep pace with the league. But if they don't turn things around before the end of the month, they are going to need all of those home games at the end just to make the playoffs.

Back to the Stars ...

They match up well with the Aeros, even though Houston has won four of the five games this seasons (two in OT). In the series, Mikael Granlund and Jason Zucker lead all players with seven points each (both have three goals and four assists). Cody Eakin has been good against the Aeros this season and has three goals and an assist in the series.

The Stars are slightly better defensively, allowing just 86 goals to the Aeros 91. But the Aeros have scored 18 more goals than their intrastate rivals, and since Texas has the worst PK in the AHL (78.8 percent), the Aeros should be able to get goals if and when they can get to the power play. (Note - the Aeros have the fifth best PP in the league at 20.6 percent, but those numbers are much better on the road).

The Stars' Cody Eakin is ... good. 

The Aeros have points in four straight since losing badly at Lake Erie before Christmas. Texas, conversely, has struggled recently, going just 1-4-1-0 in their last six, including an 0-for-3 mark against OKC during that stretch. As good as Houston has been against the OKC Oilers, the Stars have struggled against them.

The goaltending favors Texas, as Nilstorp is 12-10 with a 2.24 GAA and a .913 saves percentage. Hackett has more wins, but his numbers look a lot more like half the people you'll see at LA Fitness this month. His saves percentage is OK at .905, but his GAA is 2.60 ... He and the defense need to clamp down and just play better early and with the lead.

I think many people, including myself at times, are just too hard on Hackett. This is not the same team that was here two years ago, folks ... not even close. The 2011 playoff team was LOADED with AHL ringers. This is a very young team with a lot of injuries, and Hackett, despite a pedestrian GAA, has the team in position for home-ice advantage in the first round.

Hackett is doing just fine. The biggest concern the Aeros have to have right now is the atrocious penalty kill numbers. They are just four spots from the AHL's bottom at 79.3 percent ... That has to get better, especially when you consider how many one-goal games this team plays.

The key to a successful weekend for the Aeros is tonight's game against Texas. And to get the win, the Aeros have to play a good first period and put the Stars down early. Texas is 13-3-2-2 when tied or ahead after the first period, and the Aeros are just 7-6-0-2 when down after one. Conversely, when leading after 20 minutes, the Aeros are 7-0-1-0; the Stars are 3-8-1-0 when they are on the other side.

In closing, I think Zucker and Granlund can dominate this season as they have done so far. MiG is heating up too. Remember when I sort of accused him of coasting last week? Well, he's only put up six points in his last four games and he's making good things happen for the Aeros.

My money is on the lockout ending by the middle of this month, and the Aeros better get the most out of Granlund while they can.

Also, here is a link to the Texas perspective from Hundred Degree Hockey...

Aeros Ring In New Year With 4-2 Win

Head coach John Torchetti wasn't pleased with the Aeros first period tonight. And it did look a bit as if the Aeros were still feeling the effects of a New Year's Eve celebration, but once the second period started, the Aeros kicked it into high gear and got the 4-2 win over the visiting Oklahoma City Barons.

Photo by Morris Molina - Aeros

The number one star of the game was Jason Zucker, and his play was, once again, spectacular. He just missed on a pretty wraparound in the first period, beating the goalie but just bouncing the puck off of the post. Then he had a fantastic goal in the second period for the Aeros first goal and netted the third goal with a pretty shot from the slot.

This was the first game I've seen the team in over a month -- sorry, sometimes life interferes -- so I can't really offer up much in the way of analysis. I noticed that a majority of the team seems to be composed of players from Orlando (okay, a slight exaggeration). But I also noticed that the style of the team seemed so much better out on the ice, probably due to the return of Mikael Granlund -- I know he's been back, but this was the first I've seen him out on the ice since early in the season.

That's it. I hope to see the team play again on Saturday. And frankly, I can't wait to watch Zucker on the ice again.