Hackett carries Aeros to 2-1 win over Texas

A mere 20 seconds into Tuesday's game, the Aeros were forced to come up with plan B. With three top AHL defensemen already on the shelf with injuries, NHL veteran Paul Mara decided to take the law into his own hands.

The law won.

Instead of getting payback for Mike Hedden's cheap shot from an earlier game, Mara earned a seven-minute power play for the Stars right out of the gate. Hedden did not engage, and Mara got 17 minutes worth a penalties and watched the rest of the game from the stands.

Hackett makes the stop - Texas Stars Photo

At that moment, it was the Stars' game to lose, and they peppered Matt Hackett with 37 shots while the Aeros managed no more than five in any single period. In fact, three Stars players - Jordie Benn, Justin Dowling and Matt Fraser - teamed up to out-shoot the Aeros 19-17 on their own.

But the Aeros got the last laugh, winning 2-1 in a shootout and saved Mara from being an absolute selfish goat. The old-school guy in me wants to shame Hedden for backing away for what he surely knew what was coming. But the Stars, already without many of their best players, took the seven-minute power play and dominated the game from there.

There were questions before the game as to where Matt Hackett's head would be after watching Darcy Kuemper get the emergency recall to Vancouver to make his NHL debut against the Canucks. His playing time already dwindling, Hackett sees the writing on the wall - Kuemper has moved ahead of him on the depth chart.

For now, it's Hackett's net, and he is going to have to keep playing like he did Tuesday to get another shot at the NHL, either with the Wild or another NHL organization down the road.

Carson McMillan tied the game in the second period with a short-handed goal, and the Aeros, after surviving OT, scored three times (goals by Phillips, Larsson and Fontaine) in the tie-breaker to take the extra two points. In the first four games of their eight-game road trip, the Aeros are 3-1; they have won seven of their last 10 games after the six-game winless slide.

Now the Aeros will take their game to upstate New York and Canada. First, they'll play the red-hot Rochester Americans, who seem to score about eight goals per game. Then it's off to Hamilton where they'll get their first look at the Bulldogs, who are the worst team in the West this year. Recently, though, they've won three of four and four of seven.

After that, they'll play a matinee in Toronto on President's Day before returning South for a home and home against the OKC Barons.

It's hard to argue that Matt Hackett was the No. 1 star of the game. And while we don't know how long Kuemper will be with the Wild, it's save to say that every game for Hackett this week will be bigger than the one before.

Let's hope we see more of the Hackett that saved the Aeros Tuesday night in Cedar Park.

Kuemper recalled in advance of tonight's game against Texas; Scandella re-assigned and will play

Updated ...


Much to the surprise of frequent poster, ICEVET, the Wild recalled goalie Darcy Kuemper, who may make his NHL debut tonight at Vancouver.

Also, as Heather mentioned in the comments below, Marco Scandella has been re-assigned, and he will take the ice tonight for the Aeros against the Texas Stars.

Kuemper will get the call as Josh Harding deals with a few MS-related health issues. He's been feeling kind of fuzzy, and will take a break to let Kuemper man the pipes against the Wild's biggest pain the ass, the Vancouver Canucks.

From as Aeros focus, wow ... what a game this will be for Matt Hackett?! First, you lose your No. 1 AHL job to Kuemper, and now you have to start on the night that you teammates gets rewarded with an NHL callup.

Let's hope we get to see the Hackett that gets pissed, bears down and plays like we have seen him play in the past. He used to be very good at responding to adversity. Tonight very well could be the toughest hockey issue he's had to deal with since wearing an Aeros sweater.

If the defense plays well in front of him, I expect a solid game from No. 31.

Aeros sweep weekend games at Milwaukee and Rockford

Rockford IceHogs Photo

Just take a look at the injury report there to the right. What a sad mix of bad luck, frustration and repetitive injuries. As a fan, I know how frustrating it is when you can't really know what to expect night in and night out. But can you imaging what the coaching staff must be thinking, especially on a part of the schedule where there is zero time to practice?

We got a glimpse of that a few days ago when head coach John Torchetti let his guard down a bit to reveal his level of frustration (See below)



To keep this team at a level that will give them a chance at the playoffs with all the injuries is a true testament of Torchetti's belief in his guys. I don't know what to think of the Aeros in their last 25 games or so, but just when it looks like they are primed for a poor stretch, the team pulls out of it and gets the job done with what left of the original squad and anywhere from 7-10 ECHLers.

It's gotten to the point where Torchetti half jokes that he expects that he'll never have fewer than six guys on the shelf at any given time. And it's the kind of joke where you have to joke because you're not really joking. Haha?

The Aeros won at Milwaukee 5-2 on Friday and followed that up with a 2-0 shutout on Saturday. They now have played more games than just about anybody, so that fifth place in the conference is a bit deceptive. But if they keep winning on this road trip, they'll set themselves up for a nice finish where they will have a lot of home games after rodeo season.

Oh, and as one of the commenters pointed out, Darcy Kuemper now has enough minutes (more than 900) to qualify on the leaderboard. He is now the No. 2 goalie in the AHL.

The Aeros have a quick two days off before they bus over to Cedar Park. There, they'll try to snap a four-game losing streak again the Stars.

Aeros blanked in Grand Rapids, lose first game of trip

Not much to report on today.
The Aeros lost the first of their eight-game road trip Wednesday night in Grand Rapids.

No goals, and really the only thing of note is another stellar job by rookie goalie Darcy Kuemper. The single goal he allowed (the other was an empty netter) was soft, but Heather always tells me that backhanders are unpredictable, so I will reluctantly call it a good shot.

Also, four defensemen (Mara, Medvec, Kampfer and Genoway combined for 12 of the teams 28 shots.) I like that number, but the forwards have to figure out how to get better positioned for rebounds.

Even though they won the game last Sunday, they could have blown out the IceHogs with better positioning in the slot areas and not always running into each other behind the net. I really believe this is a case of a lot of the new players still getting to know what to do, so no total need to panic just yet.

Here is a recap from the Grand Rapids newspaper, and the "highlights" are included below for your convenience.

AHL Houston Aeros at Grand Rapids Griffins
More Hockey

On the road again; Back to the Midwest

After a 1-2 homestand, the Aeros will hit the road for eight in a row, and they need to win a minimum of three games with an OT point or two to keep this thing afloat. I watched the game on my couch last night because of flu-like symptoms, and it played out exactly like I thought it would. With all the injuries, the new players, the Coyle recall to the NHL and the fact that they were playing their third game in four nights, I too thought the Aeros did all they could to stay in the game and give themselves a chance in the third period.

The Aeros celebrate one of their two goals Monday
Houston Aeros photo

They had a chance until Matt Hackett gave them their third goal, which Torchetti said was gift-wrapped - and appropriately turned out to be the game-winner. 

And that was another thing the Aeros had stacked against them. Hackett was playing his first game in, what, two weeks? Kuemper, who'd been very good, needed a break ... And you can't fault the goaltending for the first two goals.

When you add up all the variables, Monday was not going to be "good result Monday." I am glad the coaches continue not to make excuses for the team, but all you have to do is look at the injury report - and the same guys that keep going back on it - and you can see that the season is slipping through their fingertips.

(Bagnall back after just a few games, and Cuma is out 4-6 weeks with a broken left foot)

Heather made a good point in her story from last night - maybe another long road bonding trip is just what the doctor ordered. Right now the Aeros are not one of the Top 8 teams in the West when you factor winning percentage, and the odds are stacked against them from a scheduling standpoint.

They have three more games this week, and I'd love them to win just one of them to help them survive this really rough stretch of a lot of games in just a few nights.

All is not lost. This team can still make the playoffs and the No. 5 seed is well within reach. But the injuries are going to have to stop now, and fans are going to have to hope that the Wild are still in the playoff race this time next month.

Have a good Tuesday. Anything will be better than last night.

Aeros kinda whooped by Rampage, 5-2

The Aeros' only Monday night game this season sure felt every bit like it was a Monday. Starting the day off losing Palmieri's offensive punch, also losing Bagnall to injury (after just 2 games back), and then adding New Guys #3 and #4 to a line-up that already doesn't know which way is up half the time.

Oh and then bring back Jed Ortmeyer on the OTHER team and have him score 2, including the game winner, on a "gift-wrapped" goal

Fuck you very much, Monday.

Torchetti was even-keeled about the state of his team, however, saying he was proud of the battle the guys showed, pressuring well to the end of the game, making some adjustments on the PP that helped, and generally getting some good chances.

I got the feeling he wasn't too happy with Hackett's performance (or at least he made a face when I asked about him that I've never seen him make before). I don't think it's because there were a lot of bad goals but because the one really bad one was the turning point of the game, and the game winner.

"Goaltending is going to have to carry us," he told us after the game, and I don't know about you guys, but that's a little worrisome. Not a lot, but a little. I just don't think the Aeros have the maturity in net right now (and I mean that in terms of just straight up experience weathering the storm as a pro) to really pull that off.

Torchetti said, "It's going to come down to the last week." He said he can just feel it happening, and it's hard to argue. The Aeros are just keeping afloat, really.

I think a road trip will help, though. And after this weekend, they'll have much of a week at home to practice, with no travel and no games. That is something they sorely need if the new guys are sticking around for a while, so they can get up to speed.

Here's hoping most of you got your fill of hockey this weekend. They don't play at home again until Feb. 23. Then they're off again until March 14 (vs. Brusty's Abbotsford, so you know that's circled in a big red heart on my calendar).

I'm told I still have to pay attention to them while they're on the road, so I'll try not to be a huge slacker on here, but it probably won't work and I'll just hope Andrew posts a bunch. Enjoy your February, everybody!

Wild trade Nick Palmieri to NY Rangers

Just a quick note here to let everyone know that Nick Palmieri was traded along with Darroll Powe of the Wild to the NY Rangers for Mike Rupp.

It was only a matter of time for Palmieri, who wore out his welcome last month when he refused to report to the Aeros after the Wild cut him following training camp.

In his last 11 games, Palmieri scored just one goal, added one assist and was virtually invisible until a few games ago.

Really, this is for the best for the organization, but the team is really hurting for bodies right now. Still lots of guys injured, and the comment from head coach John Torchetti is that there's no timetable for their return.

We'll see how it affects the lines tonight.

Aeros rebound Sunday with 3-2 win over Rockford

As good as Carter Hutton was in the second period to keep his Rockford IceHogs out in front of the Aeros, it looked like the Aeros were going to start their three-game homestand 0-for-2. But after Brett Bulmer scored a pretty goal, hitting just about the only open spot available, Dave McIntyre gave the Aeros the game-winner when he powered a shot off Hutton and into the net.

"Just shoot the puck," said Aeros head coach John Torchetti.

Justin Fontaine tries to shoot through the defense. Houston Aeros photo

Rockford carried play in the third period, but the Aeros got the only two goals of the period for a 3-2 win in front of more than 7,000 fans on Super Bowl Sunday.

Hopefully later tonight, I will have time to give you the whole story and more of a reaction from Torchetti, but for now, just know that the Aeros are happy with the two points. They lost a game when they led after two and won a game, in regulation, when trailing after two, so really it all evens out.

It's so hard to be frustrated with all the disorganization, but the injuries are piling up, and the Wild haven't even harvested the team yet.

Here were the scratches for the game today:

• Mara (upper body)
• Coyle (recalled)
• Connelly (shoulder)
• Petersen (Undisclosed)
• Foucault (Undisclosed)
• Palmer (Undisclosed)
• Broda (Undisclosed)
• Cuma (saw him wearing a boot on his left foot today)

Because of the recall and the two new injuries to Cuma and Mara, the Aeros dialed up the ECHL to get the services of Wes O'Neill and Ryley Grantham.

I think legitmate scoring chances were about the same Sunday, but the IceHogs had way more shots. Kuemper was great, again, even though the first goal of the game was as soft as we've seen this year. Just no way that puck should go in in that situation, and I don't think he was screened or it hit anything.

(Even Torchetti said it should have been a 1-1 hockey game going into the third).

Tomorrow, the Aeros will wrap up their homestand against San Antonio. With as bad as the Rampage have been on the road, I think the Aeros will have a good shot at getting the two points, if they get the early lead and make Markstrom think a little bit. He's as good as they come as far as AHL goalies are concerned.

The Rampage are revamped with the addition of former Aero Jed Ortmeyer, but expect another low scoring game. Goals (and butts in the seats) will be at a premium Monday night.

What were your thoughts on the games this weekend? Texas is just better, but I think they got the game-winner by "cheating" for lack of a better phrase. I thought Kuemper was interfered with on their second goal. As for the game today, I think the Aeros deserved at least a point for their effort ... and got two thanks to the greasy goal by McIntyre.

Texas stays on top of this week's poll; Lake Erie rises to the Top 3

The Texas Stars stay on top of the rankings as we enter the virtual second half of the season. Please click on the image below to get a better look at the poll.They got three of a possible four points in their home and home against San Antonio last weekend, so they will stay at the top of the poll entering their game against the Aeros Friday night at Toyota Center.

The biggest mover at the top of the poll is the Lake Erie Monsters, who, with a win tonight, will sit atop the North Division. The Aeros have lost all four of their games against Lake Erie this season and have not held the lead in a single one of them.

They have talented forwards, and it looks like their goaltending issues from early December are a thing of the past. The Monsters could stay in the Top 5 if their parent team, the Colorado Avalanche, stays healthy.

Click on the image to see the Western Conference Power Rankings

They have won 11 of their last 16 games, dating to mid-December, and this weekend, they'll host the red-hot Abbotsford Heat (pun intended) in a battle for first place. This is definitely a case to see offense vs. defense, and the Monsters will play the Heat in four of their next five games. The Heat split a pair of games at Charlotte last weekend and remain at No. 6 in this week's poll.

Grand Rapids fell two spots this week after getting swept at home by the Aeros ... Toronto drops almost by default due to the lack of games, but they will get plenty of time to move back up as they play just three home games between now and mid March. This is a season-defining stretch for the Marlies, who like the Aeros better play well away from home for the next six weeks.

The Milwaukee Admirals are up three spots this week to No. 10. I probably had them too low last week, but they killed the OKC Barons after losing six in a row, the last a 3-2 loss to the Aeros.

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If you would have told me back in October that Texas would be the No. 1 team in the AHL before the All-Star break, I probably would have chuckled a bit. Top 10, not so much of a stretch ... but in the last three weeks or so we have seen the Stars transform from just an average AHL team to arguably the best in the 30-team league. The Stars are the No. 1 team this week; please click on the image to get a better look at the poll. 

Click on the image to see the Western Conference Power Rankings

During their inaugural season, the would grind teams down, and they were so hard to play against. Then Aeros head coach Kevin Constantine, in just the third or fourth game of the season, predicted they'd be "one of the last teams standing." Well, they were, making it all the way to the Calder Cup finals before Hershey took them out in six games.

In the last two weeks, their roster has been decimated by call-ups to Dallas due to the end of the NHL lockout. They have not missed a beat, and their only setback in their last 10 games was a loss at Chicago more than a week ago.

This weekend the Stars will face the San Antonio Rampage in a home and home series. It'll be interesting to see if they can keep up their torrid pace against a far inferior opponent (points wise) ... The Rampage have traded wins and losses since the new year, and I think they'll take at least one from this week's No. 1 team.

But the Stars will get No. 1 goalie Chris Nilstorp soon from Dallas. And when they happens, they'll be poised for another run to the Calder Cup.

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So we are about into a week where several AHL rosters have been raided and decimated due to the NHL training camps and the start of the NHL 48-game shortened season. Last week, I started the power poll for the Western Conference, and unlike last season, I am going to keep them all in the same post so those of you who want to see all the results may do so more easily.

The power poll image is smaller so it will fit in the allotted space. Please click on the image to get a better look at the poll. 

Click on the image to see the Western Conference Power Rankings

This week, the Charlotte Checkers have moved into the No. 1 spot. They have won four straight and have points in seven straight overall since an awful trip to Texas that saw them swept by the Aeros, Stars and Rampage. Toronto is a solid No. 2 thanks to a great home record and the best goal differential in the West. Our biggest movers were the Rochester Americans (up four) and the OKC Barons (down four). The Aeros get an honorable mention for dropping three spots due to their uninspired tailspin last weekend. Now they get to play the next two months on the road, so Aeros fans will really get to see what their team is made of.

Abbotsford stayed the same and kept from dropping further thanks to a couple of wins over the West doormat, the Hamilton Bulldogs. These guys have really had a rough go of it since making it to the conference finals two years ago.

Two teams that I can't really figure out right now are the Lake Erie Monsters and the Rampage. Lake Erie's won/loss total is bolstered by the overtime games and the Rampage keep trading good weekends with bad ones. I want to put them ahead of Peoria, thanks to that beating they put on them two weeks ago ... but I can't. The Rampage are just awful on the road, and just can't seem to turn the corner.

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The calendar has rolled around to 2013, the NHL lockout has ended, and now there are about three months left in the regular season. With that being said, it's time to crank up the old Western Conference power rankings again! Click on the image down there to take a gander at this season's first installment. Currently, I have the Aeros right where they are in the standings - fifth!

Click on the image to see the Western Conference Power Rankings

Last year, I started this to see what kind of feedback I'd get ... and it was marginally successful. Hard core AHL fans got a kick out of it and debating with me as to why I ranked so and so there, etc. Some even asked why I didn't include the entire league, but I just don't think I could do one of these deals without being able to see them play.

I do get to see all of the West teams at least once, and I follow news about all those teams on a daily basis. And with the new rankings, I have updated how I calculate the formula. This year's first list, though, is kind of boring. The conference is so tight from top to bottom, and everyone still has a shot at getting into the Top 8 for the playoffs tournament.

Grand Rapids tops the first Western
Conference poll of the season

On this list, I have Grand Rapids over Toronto for the top spot mostly because of how well the Griffins play both at home and on the road. Toronto can only win at home, but they do lead the conference in goal differential. Needless to say, the top 2 spots were very close.

When all the numbers were crunched (and basically all that means is that I weigh different stats on a scale of 1-100 percent) the next 10 or so teams were, too, very, very close together. I expect there to be more chatter and debate this time around.

I will try to crack these out every week between Monday and Wednesday afternoon in advance of that week's games. I hope you'll give these a nice look every now and then and let me know what you think.

Aeros sweep two-game set at Grand Rapids. Zucker heads to All-star game, Aeros off until Friday

The Aeros became the first team this season to sweep a two-game set at Grand Rapids with a 5-2 win over the Griffins Saturday night at Van Andel Arena. Other than a soft goal to open the scoring in the first period, Darcy Kuemper was again solid in net, allowing the offense to score at least five goals for the first time since Dec. 11. That was when the Aeros hosted the San Antonio Rampage for the kiddie game at Toyota Center.

Defenseman, No. 2, Paul Mara - Grand Rapids Griffins photo

All phases are the game are clicking right now, and that is what this team can do when healthy. The penalty kill was nearly perfect (one 6-on-4 goal allowed), and the Griffins never looked comfortable setting up their offense. A team like Grand Rapids - currently the No. 2 team in the West - needs time and space, and the Aeros gave them neither.

Marco Scandella was recalled to Minnesota after two solid games following his return from a groin injury. Matt Dumba was returned to his junior team, so that is where the spot on their roster opened up. Jared Spurgeon is still nursing a lower body injury after blocking a shot in the Wild's second game of the season.

Jason Zucker is off to the All-Star game in Providence, and the rest of the team will get a lot of time at home before opening up a three-game homestand next Friday against the red-hot Texas Stars. The Aeros have lost three straight against the Stars, who split a home and home series against the San Antonio Rampage.

After the quick homestand, the Aeros will hit the road for 12 of their next 13 on the road. Go see the team while you can. They are going to be road warriors.

One quick thought. I like the direction of the team right now, and like many of you, I certainly hope they have better luck with injuries. They had a six-game winless streak before winning three in a row, but even with all the lockout uncertainty and a boatload of injuries, the Aeros are 7-5-3-0 since Christmas.

They can be a top four team if they continue to play well on the road and both teams stay away from their trainers.

Have a great All-star week!