Aeros Equipment Sale

Just a bump as a reminder - Fred

For those of you with no plans and some disposable income, here's a little item.

The Houston Aeros will be holding their annual end-of-season equipment sale this Saturday out at the team's Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center facility from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Among the items to be sold will be used skates, gloves, pants, helmets, nameplates, and much, more more.

The team will accept cash, checks (does anybody write checks anymore), and credit cards.

And I suggest you get there early before Ms. Conduct snaps up all of the goalie gear.

Rampage to get publicly-funded practice rink

Boy, just think of how nice it would be for the Aeros to turn one of those parking lots around Toyota Center into their very own practice rink and ice skating facility.

Well, it looks like the Rampage are going to get just that, a publicly-funded new rink right next to the AT&T Center in East San Antonio.

Check out this article from the San Antonio Express news.

A quote from the article:

Spurs (NBA team that owns the Rampage) Vice President Leo Gomez said his group would like to operate it but share the proposed 550 bleacher-seat facility with local youth and adult ice hockey leagues. Gomez also said the team would make it available for skating special events.

If you read all the way to the end, there are a few comments from local readers.
Interesting to say the least.

More From Chapter 11: The Strange Case of the Phoenix Coyotes and Some Other NHL Oddities

There was a bankruptcy court hearing in Phoenix yesterday regarding the attempt of Jerry Moyes to put the Phoenix Coyotes into Chapter 11 Bankruptcy while selling the team to Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie who wants to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario. And in 12 days, we should all have some idea of where the Coyotes will be playing next season.

The judge yesterday ordered all parties to file briefs by June 5, 2009, and he ordered a hearing for June 9, 2009, in which he stated he hopes to offer a ruling on whether putting the Coyotes into bankruptcy allows the team to be relocated without approval, per NHL bylaws, of the owners. The NHL, with the support of the NBA, NFL, and MLB, is arguing that the bankruptcy court doesn't have the power to order a move that contradicts league bylaws. Moyes and Balsillie say that the court can void whatever contracts it wants and ignore whatever internal bylaws it wants in order to set whole the creditors.

According to the Toronto Globe & Mail, the judge expressed reluctance to order the move, and says he's not sure that he has the power to rewrite NHL bylaws. He might be reluctant, but I call bullshit on his argument about NHL bylaws. If bankruptcy courts can void union contract after union contract after union contract when mismanaged corporations go into Chapter 11, then he can ignore NHL bylaws.

The judge stated that if he rules in favor of relocation, the bankruptcy auction for the club will be held on June 22. If he rules that there can be no relocation, then the bankruptcy auction will be held on September 10.

Balsille has stated that if there is no decision regarding relocation by June 29, he will withdraw his bid for the team. And the Globe & Mail is also reporting that the NHL will be spending about $17 million over the next several weeks to keep the team running -- most of that money will be going to one Wayne Gretzky.

AND SOME MORE NON-HOCKEY NHL NEWS:

The Wall Street Journal yesterday mentioned that one of the teams closely following the Coyotes matter is the Atlanta Thrashers. Without citing any sources, the Journal reported that if the Chapter 11 relocation is allowed, then the same thing would probably be happening with the Thrashers. It also stated that the Nashville Predators are also in the mix for this type of relocation since the team has a clause in its contract that allows it to get out of its lease if the team averages under 14,000 per game in attendance for a season.

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The Columbus Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are heading up an effort to sell Nationwide Arena to Franklin County, the county where the Blue Jackets arena is located. The purpose of the sale would be to help the Blue Jackets, who are having financial difficulties that are partly originated from the lease the team has with the arena.

Apparently, the County's assuming of the arena would result in a better lease for the team. As it stands, the Blue Jackets lease the arena and pay for its operations, but arena revenue isn't covering the operating costs. The club states that this forces the team to take money from hockey operations to make up the rest of the operating costs.

The sale of the arena to the county would be funded by, of course, the taxpayers, who would pay increased tax costs on alcohol and tobacco sales. The puck is now in the zone of the state politicians who are debating whether to grant the county the authority to impose the tax, or else giving the county the approval to hold an election on the issue.

Oh, and the Blue Jackets stated that if the lease problems aren't resolved in their favor, they will relocate to another city.

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Charles Wang, the owner of the New York Islanders, announced last week that unless the Town of Hempstead, NY approves of an arena project for the Islanders by October 3, then the Islanders will be relocating when the team's lease expires in 2015. The franchise, apparently, makes the Coyotes look like a financial success, having lost between $15-20 million last season alone. And among the suitors mentioned for the Islanders, should relocation result, are all of the usual suspects: Hamilton, Las Vegas, Kansas City, and Houston.

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And things are getting interesting up Dallas way where today Tom Hicks, owner of the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers, announced that he is now selling a majority interest of the Rangers. It was not long ago that Hicks defaulted on loans to the creditors who made the purchase of the Stars and Rangers possible, saying that the default was just a negotiating tactic to get better terms on the loans. At that time, Hicks also stated that he was willing to sell a minority interest in the Stars and Rangers.

Now he's on the record as saying that he's up for selling a majority interest in the Rangers. It appears, for now, that the Stars are safe. But then again, Hicks appears to be having some real financial difficulties, no matter the PR spin, so I wouldn't count out Hicks putting a majority interest in the Stars up for sale soon.

Steroids In The NHL: So Claims Dealer Arrested Today

As the Pittsburgh Penguins sit back and wait for the Detroit Red Wings to finish up with the Chicago Blackhawks for the rematch to last year's Stanley Cup final, one of the teams the Penguins defeated to reach this point is about to be caught up in some major turmoil.

A man named Richard Thomas was arrested in Lakeland, FL today. That, in and of itself, is no big deal in that lots of people get arrested every year. But Thomas was arrested as part of a major anabolic steroids bust -- there was also anabolic steroids arrests made today in Fort Bend County with a press conference to come later. But Thomas boasted, according to the police report, of selling steroids to athletes in every major sport, including, the story specifies, the Washington Capitals of the NHL.

The Capitals are currently investigating the incident and will issue a statement later. The NHL has yet to issue a comment. Also not issuing comments are MLB's Washington Nationals and MLB as Thomas also claimed to have supplied players on the Nationals.

UPDATE:

I didn't see Puck Daddy prior to the initial report. Both the Capitals and the NHL are denying the allegations. However, I'm not prone to believe the NHL when it comes to anything, and after being burned by MLB's denials over the years, I'll choose to remain somewhat skeptical of any blanket denial.

Wild/Aeros Goaltending Situation; Tom Lynn's job security

John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press muses on his blog today about the fate of Josh Harding and, in relation, where the Wild think their minor league goalies stand in terms of moving up.

His assessment pretty much matches mine. Neither Brusty nor Dimples are technically solid enough to get it on full time in the NHL, even as a back-up. I think Schaefer probably is, though I didn't realize he was making so much coin. That's damn good for the AHL, so good for him.

Also, we learn that it's an MCL injury that sent Dimples out at the end of the third in Game 4.

Looking Ahead

My #1 concern is about goaltending depth next season. This year and last, the Aeros had Dimples down in the ECHL to call up and provide pretty good support in a pinch. The Wild haven't drafted a goalie since drafting Niko Hovinen in 2006, and he's been playing in Finland all this time. (AeroFinn... how about a stats update on the kid. My Finnish is rusty.)

The team has not had him over for Prospects Camp since 2007, so who knows what their intentions are with him.

Without a doubt, the team needs to beef up the goaltending ranks either through draft or trade or both (though draft will be too late to help this season due to age restrictions). I personally am still quite scarred from the 06-07 season when Harding got called up with no help behind him, and then turned around and was immediately spoiled by the amazing Schaefer-Brust tandem last season.

It was more of a mixed bag this year, but imagine if the Aeros hadn't had Khudobin to call upon. Wowza. Anyway, more on this later as we take a look at how next years Aeros stack up.
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Meanwhile, from Russo at the Star Tribune today, reports of Tom Lynn's job security as GM of the Aeros may have been overstated last week, as Chuck Fletcher, the shiny new GM for the Wild, is saying that nobody is necessarily in or out and that those decisions will come in due time:

To clarify one thing that was reported earlier this week, [Fletcher] has decided no staff member is leaving or staying. He’s been in the office for three hours total, and has met a precious few. He said there’s no reason for anybody to be walking on eggshells, but stories that he’s told anybody they’re safe or unsafe were premature. What does that mean? He’ll meet with staff over the next several weeks, ask a ton of questions and then things “will become apparent to me,” and that does include Tom Lynn and Tommy Thompson.

So, maybe the Aeros summer won't be as stable as we might have expected. Won't that be fun?

Thank you Aeros: What a ride!

I will be the first to admit that I thought the Aeros first round playoff series would last barely more than a week. In the paper, I picked Peoria to win in six. I was wrong. In the second round, I thought Milwaukee, having home ice and being the second best team in the AHL, would win in seven. I was wrong. Then, in round three, I thought the Aeros magic carpet ride would get them to a sixth game only to lose. I was right, but as they DON'T say, "One out of three ain't good ... "

The things that will stick out in my mind most about this team is A) they never quit and B) they did remarkably well not really knowing from one game (series) to the next who would be their starting goalie. A lot of you know the game well (in many cases better than me) and you know that good, solid goaltending in the playoffs is paramount. While I don't know the X's and O's of hockey as well as I should in some cases, I do know the Houston Aeros better than just about anyone on this planet.

I know they won two championships in 1999 and 2003, but those teams were great hockey teams built to win. But this team, the 2009 Aeros, had the greatest, most unexpected run of all because of how they did it, who they beat and how they got there along the way.

They were the ultimate team to cheer for as a fan because from one night to the next, you had no idea which team would show up, yet they gave Houston hockey fans so much night in and night out.

When Anton got that first shutout in Round 1, a 2-0 win over Peoria in Game 3, I think that was the springboard to bigger and better things. As you all know, the Aeros crashed horribly down the stretch and nearly lost out on the playoffs all together. That is just my opinion, but Aeros assistant coach Luke Strand agrees with me. Consider this quote from Luke:

"Maybe the biggest 'test' was to get Anton his first playoff 'W' and inclusive was his shut out game in round 1," said Strand. "I feel he gained the confidence of the players and staff after out-dueling (Manny) Legace.

"Anton's bumps in the road I feel came from too many opportunities. He played more minutes in a month than he had in the second 1/2 of ECHL season."

Maybe it is too bad he got hurt in Game 4, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise for Matt Climie too. I thought he was cool under pressure, and watching him in Game 6 just does not do him justice. I have talked to several folks in Manitoba that say he kept that game from being about 5-1 or 6-1 after 40 minutes.

No matter how you slice it, these Aeros need to be lauded for an incredible run that gave Aeros fans excitement, joy, several myocardial infarctions per game, disappointment and pride. I cover the games objectively for the Houston Chronicle, but I would absolutely be lying to you if I said I did not well up a tad when Beaudoin and Hrkac scored those overtime goals.

That is how I will remember these Aeros; shooting scoring, running into each other's arms and piling up in the corners after those two OT goals. It's how you should remember them, too.

Does this puck go in?

Mike Bossy beats 'Nucks (worst uniforms ever!) goalie Richard Brodeur with 2 seconds left in OT on May 8, 1982 in New York. In case you are wondering, Harold Snepsts tries to pass ahead, but instead of ripping it down the ice, he throws it to Bossy. I have watched this (see video below) a few times after a friend of mine brought it up, and I just don't see it go in the net. We were talking about mindless/careless passes and plays that have let to playoff losses.

It happened to the Aeros in 2001 against the Moose when Sandy Moger jumped on the ice for a shift, intercepted a careless pass from Moose captain Brian Chapman and then ripped a slapshot into the net for a 2-1 win and a 3-1 series advantage. The Moose then switched to Ken Wregget and won the next three games, including two at Compaq Center.

That was the biggest choke job in Aeros history, and the last games as members of the IHL.

Now watch this video, several angles show the goal, but, to me, none of them show the puck hitting the net. I'm not saying it didn't; I am just saying I didn't see it.

Update from Winnipeg

Update: the Aeros will be scattered on various flights out of Canda tomorrow. Exit meetings are later this week and The Third Intermission hopes to have an official update from Tom Lynn later this week.....Stay tuned.

No, thank YOU Aeros...

Here's a video up on Aeros.com thanking the fans for the season.

I'll just cut to the chase and admit that I sobbed like a baby watching it. Just a warning to those of you who might be inclined to a) watch it at work and b) cry about hockey... save it for home viewing.

UPDATE: So as not to be too emo about this whole thing, here's a pretty funny video posted by Puck Daddy (which, if you've got an interest in hockey in general and not just the Aeros or minors, is a great place to get a broad spectrum of info, usually with a humorous take).

Media round-up & the Calder Cup Finals

Helluva run, boys. Thanks for giving us a nice, long, utterly unpredictable season. I'm beyond proud.

The last few times we've been on the brink, I was prepared for the season to end, to do some writing looking back, and then looking forward. But this time, while I'm actually kind of relieved it's over, I'm not ready to dig into it. Mostly, I just want a nap.

But here's some folks who are able to write about it:

• The Chronicle's post-gamer with great reactions from KC
• John's game write-up for the Houston Press
  
• A great story on Tony Hrkac, with a hint at the end that the team might actually want him back and that he might want to BE back.
  

• Here's the Winnipeg Sun's take (and I swear I didn't steal my lead for PHN from Wiebe... we were both just equally uncreative in our use of the Cinderella metaphor)
• And here's the Winnipeg Free Press; a replay of their live chat is at the bottom of the page.

So, now the Calder Cup will go to either Manitoba or the Hershey Bears, who have also been dominant this season. Nothing against Manitoba... they were simply the better team and I don't feel any ill will toward them... but I'm pulling for Hershey in this series, which starts Saturday night.

I think their goaltending story is more compelling. Check out their stats to see why: They're getting it done on the back of their rookie, third-string goalie, Michal Neuvirth, who only has 17 games in the regular season. Sound familiar?

Both teams have huge fan bases, so this is a dream match-up for the league and should be a great series. And while I may be rooting for Hershey, I think Manitoba wins it in 6.