The Wild Trade Benoit Pouliot To The Canadians

Just a note for those of you who are interested. Earlier today, the Wild traded former Aero Benoit Pouliot to the Montreal Canadians in exchange for Guilliame Latendresse. Hopefully Heather and Andrew can provide more info on Latendresse if you're interested.

And my apologies. I can remote twitter from my iPhone, so I twittered this earlier today when the trade was announced. I cannot remote blog from my iPhone, and I'm working a temp job where they frown on any computer use that is not related to reviewing legal documents. So to any of you who don't get our twitter feed, I apologize for not getting this to you sooner.

Some Discussion With GM Jim Mill

I talked for a bit with Aeros GM Jim Mill before last Saturday's game. I know this is a bit delayed, but I've been busy with other matters. However, though some of this might be a bit dated because of news with the Wild lately, I still thought I would post. So...

As you know, this is Mill's first season as a team executive, instead of as a league executive. So I wanted to know what it was like watching a team that's he helped assemble as the season opens.

"It’s incredibly exhilarating," he said. "It’s exciting and it’s a totally different kind of pressure. That’s for sure. I went from the pressure of making sure everything goes just okay…and knowing that the referees don’t screw up or anything, to wanting to win every time."

But while he wants the team to win everytime, he was clear that building a team doesn't happen overnight, and as such, the Aeros are still a work in progress.

"We’re similar to what is happening in Minnesota where there’s some new systems and some new philosophy to some degree," he said. "The guys are trying to adjust. Specifically at the American League level, if you’re asking me or any other GM or assistant GM, scout wide or anybody else, they’re going to tell you that for that first month, you’re pretty much going to stay in flux. You’re trying to adjust to putting a bunch of new players together. That does take time. And that’s what we’re doing right now. "

Now I know that some of you are going to complain about that and believe that the team should be at top form right now. But that's just not how it works with the Aeros, especially in the now-three years that I've been covering the team. Kevin Constantine has stated over the years that he is never sure of what he's going to get from his team until a month or so into the season. And Constantine struggled throughout last season trying to figure out a team that wasn't as strong defensively as he was used to but which featured an offensive element he also wasn't used to. And the Aeros last season were a team that didn't really gell and come together until the playoffs got going. So don't go into a panic right now if the team doesn't look cohesive. Give Constantine some time to work his magic.

I spoke to Mill about some Aeros alum who are currently up in Minnesota. Mill credited John Scott with being the spark behind the Wild's open night come from behind victory. "He was pretty good wasn’t he?" Mill said. "It was opening night in Minnesota and he changed the game. You can’t say he won the game, but he changed it, and he gave us the opportunity to win that game. He changed the momentum by doing what he did. That was great. He was the difference maker."

Then there's the enigma known as Benoit Pouliot. During the playoffs last season, I made a habit of attending the morning skate, and Pouliot was always the first guy out and always one of the last guys off of the ice. So I know he works hard, and you can see the guy has talent. But he just hasn't been able to make that talent work to his advantage.

"I wish I knew the answer to that one," Mill answered when asked about getting Pouliot to play to his skill level. "Guys develop at different rates, and he’s obviously incredibly talented and skilled. He’s got great size and he skates and he shoots, everything that you want. Some guys take a little bit longer to figure out how to put all of the tools together to use properly."

But as was evident by some of Wild coach Todd Richards' comments about Pouliot last week, the team does appear to be losing some patience with Pouliot. Mill is just not at that point. Yet.

"Guys do develop at different pace. We hope that a guy like that, with all of that talent and skill and ability, figures it out and puts it all together."

Then there's Cal Clutterbuck, the hard-hitting wing who graced the Aeros with his presence for the 2007-2008 season. Clutterbuck, who was called up after only two games last season, quickly made his presence known in Minnesota, and he's become a fan, and management favorite.

"I thought he would be a great guy in the National Hockey League," Mill said. "He uses speed. He does great things by using his body and keeping it simple. He skates well. He takes the body. He does all of the little things that you want. He keeps that intensity level up, and he creates things because of how aggressive he is. It’s not a big surprise at all [his success]."

Of course, Clutterbuck is currently on the injured reserve after spraining his ankle on Saturday night in San Jose. And as anybody who remembered Erik Reitz's struggle to recover from his high ankle sprain back in 2007-2008, you know that that's an injury that doesn't heal quickly. But if the Wild are to have any success this season, then the timing of Clutterbuck's return might be the most important element of all.

Wild winger Pouliot fined $2,000, loses licence for impaired driving

The Ottawa Citizen reports - Wild winger Pouliot fined $2,000, loses licence for impaired driving.

It doesn't paint Benoit in a good light as it appears he tried the old "Do you know who I am?" trick AND he doesn't seem to have too much remorse.

When asked whether the decision would affect him in the coming season, Pouliot said, “I don’t need a car to play hockey, so I don’t see a problem at all.”

All 4 RFAs accept qualifying offers

Well, on the heels of some disappointing exits for many fans, the (good?) news is that Robbie Earl, Clayton Stoner, Benoit Pouliot, and Danny Irmen have all accepted their qualifying offers from the Minnesota Wild.

So that's one more year from all of them to play either for the Aeros or Wild.

Wild qualify 6 of 10 restricted free agents (updated)

As we've mentioned before, restricted free agents become unrestricted free agents and the team loses their rights to a player if they are not given a qualifying offer by the deadline, which was today.

Here's the list of players who were qualified, with Aeros bolded:

C Kyle Brodziak
LW Robbie Earl
G Josh Harding
RW Danny Irmen
LW Benoit Pouliot
D Clayton Stoner

The Wild did not make qualifying offers to:
D Paul Albers
LW Riley Emmerson
LW Dan Fritsche
LW Peter Olvecky

Not entirely surprising on any front, though I always liked Paul and will miss his fantastic shot blocking. I thought they might keep Olvecky around, but I guess the new regime doesn't see a fit. Will add more later if clarity around the decisions is made public.

On Wednesday, NHL free agency begins. It's also Canada Day and really the most exciting day of the off-season, typically. Though teams are so burdened with salary cap issues, it will be interesting to see what GMs can pull off with such constraints. I, for one, take the day off and just follow the flow of signings and trades like a kid at Christmas, but I'm kind of a dork for hockey. :)

UPDATE: From Russo's blog, it appears the goal is to keep Olvecky but avoid having to sign him to a one-way (NHL-only) contract.

About Pouliot, Fletcher said: “We’re excited to see where he is come training camp. He’s had his ups and downs along the road, but (new coach) Todd Richards is excited about seeing him in camp. We want to see if he can push his career forward, take the next step. It’s up to him, but we want to give him that opportunity.”

He said not qualifying Fritsche and Olecky was a roster “flexibility” issue. About Olvecky, Fletcher said making him a qualifying offer might possibly have “made him eligible for a one-way contract. We wanted to keep the option open of a two-way contract.” So, by not qualifying him, Fletcher said he still held out hope that he could reach agreement on a two-way deal and keep Olecky in the fold. Fletcher said it was important for the franchise to have as much financial flexibility as possible heading into free agency.

And of no particular consequence to the Aeros but might be of interest if you were a fan of his, John Lammers has not been qualified by the Dallas Stars organization, so he, too, will become a UFA on Wednesday.

Round 2, Game #4 -- Aeros vs. Milwaukee -- Photos Part 2

Milwaukee had chances all night but Anton either got them or they were just wide.

I have not posted any Mitch Love for a while so here is some Love.

Here is a series of photos where Bryan Lundbohm tries to tip a high shot.

Drew MacIntyre manages to get the blocker on it.

Late in the 3rd period things got a bit exciting in front of Khudobin as Hrkac clears the puck.

Kolanos puts the icing on the cake with the empty netter as Smolinski tries to prevent the goal.

Krys Kolanos gives Smolinski and evil grin as he celebrates the goal with Danny Irmen.

I'll close with more of the birthday boy, Anton Khudobin.

And a little Photoshoping that you'll either love or hate.

All Photos:Fred Trask

Benny discusses Game 4 win over Milwaukee

I have no idea how these are going to turn out, so please take them for what they are worth: an experiment. The lighting was poor for the interviews with Benoit and Anton and I might need to take down the quality a notch so they don't take so long to load.

Thanks in advance to Benoit, Anton and Kevin for being gracious guinea pigs.

Round 2,Game #4: Aeros vs. Milwaukee -- Nasty Boys Edition

Sometimes, there's just not that much one can say about a hockey game. Not because there's nothing to say, but just because it's such a visceral experience that one has to have been there. And tonight's Game Four was just such a game. Because it was more than just a 2-0 win. It was more than just the Aeros being in the right place at the right time with the puck. It was Anton Khudobin standing at center ice being serenaded by the crowd of 3189 after the game.

It's a thing like the crowd singing "Happy Birthday" to Khudobin that goes beyond mere words. You had to be there. You had to feel the crowd. You had to see the expression on Khudobin's face.

“I told the PA Announcer at center ice, this is my best happy birthday ever,” said Khudobin. “It is May 7, and I have never played hockey this late in the year. We played well, we got the 2-0 win and we now lead the series. I am very happy about that.”

And while Khudobin might be happy, his teammates are estactic, because without Khudobin, who was thought to be the team's weak link heading into the playoffs, it's doubtful that the Aeros would be leading this series with Milwaukee three games to one.

"That’s our playoffs right there. Anton," Benoit Pouliot said. "He’s never really had an off game."

Anton Khudobin stopped 27 shots for his second shutout of the playoffs. But Khudobin's goal play aside, if not for Benoit Pouliot being in the right place at the right time in the first period, Khudobin's play might not have been enough. But with the Aeros on the power play, Clayton Stoner got the puck down low to Marco Rosa who worked behind the net, drew Drew MacIntyre toward him, leaving a spot in the net open, and Rosa found Pouliot and Pouliot put the puck in the net to give Houston the 1-0 lead at 16:56 of the first period.

But Drew MacIntyre settled down, Milwaukee shut down the Aeros offense, and the Aeros went into operation shut down as they were once again out shot and out chanced by the Admirals, but once again found themselves unable to get the puck past Khudobin. Finally, with just under two seconds remaining on the clock, Krys Kolanos got the empty netter to put the Aeros up 2-0 and seal the victory.

"I was so happy. I was jumping in the air," Khudobin said about the Kolanos goal. And then, shortly thereafter, Khudobin stood at center ice as the fans wished him a very happy birthday.

"What can you say," Kevin Constantine said. "He’s done a great job for us."

A great job that has the Aeros just one win shy of the Western Conference finals. One win that come as early as Saturday night in Game Five at Toyota Center.

SOME MISCELLANEOUS GAME NOTES:

Kevin Constantine was pleased that the team won the game. But he couldn't help but note that, once again, Milwaukee dominated the game, getting more chances and more shots once again.

"We got out-chanced in games two and three, and my guess is we got out-chanced again tonight," he said. "Part of that sometimes stems from when you play with a lead. You’re less inclined to go get your chances, and you’re more inclined to sit back."

Looking at the numbers, the Aeros were once again out shot in all three periods, especially the third period where the Admirals had the 12-2 shot advantage. But then again, the Aeros made one of their two third period shots and Milwaukee made none of theirs, so it can be argued that while the Aeros were out-chanced, they knew better how to take advantage of their chances.

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The numbers don't lie. The Aeros got the first goal. They got a goal on the power play. They didn't let Milwaukee score on the power play, and they had the lead after the first period. When those things happen in the playoffs, the Aeros win. The Aeros are now 6-1 when scoring first. They're 5-0 when leading after the first period. They're 6-3 when scoring a power play goal. They're 7-1 when not allowing a power play goal.

The surprising thing, watching the Aeros in the playoffs, has been their ability to get the early lead and keep it. Because anyone who watched this team during the regular season knows that the Aeros were known for doing it a bit backwards. They would score early, grab the lead, and lose the game while they would fall behind early, charge back late, and get the win.

"Mostly it’s been a year-long process. I thought in the first half of the year we were about the worst team I’ve ever coached when it comes to not being able to take a lead into the third and keep it," Constantine said. "If you look at our play in the second half, we became much better with the lead, and that’s kind of carried over into the playoffs."

*********************
This game was rather brutal at times. Tomas Mojzis was knocked out of the game early in the first period with a left knee injury after being knocked to the ice by one of the Admirals. Both teams leveled bone-crunching hit after bone-crunching hit to each other.

For the most part, referee Francois St. Laurent kept silent with the whistle and handed out very few penalties. From the press box, it looked like some of the hits -- besides the one to Mojzis -- really hurt. But Benoit Pouliot took a decidedly different view: "I don’t know if it was the roughest game [of the playoffs]," he said, "but it was actually pretty fun to play."

*********************
It's safe to say that the Aeros made the playoffs on the strength of their special teams -- their power play and penalty kill were among the best in the league -- so it's only fitting that out of 11 playoff games, the Aeros have 13 power play goals. And the Aeros once again shut down the Milwaukee power play.

And seeing as how Milwaukee has now outshot Houston 118-73, it's definitely a plus that the Aeros have been able to score on their power play chances. The Aeros are 3-for-21 on the power play against Milwaukee, while the Admirals are only 1-for-15.

*********************
Anton Khudobin was thought to be the weakest link for this Aeros team in the playoffs. And at times he has looked very shaky in the goal, especially with his penchant for long rebounds. The team seems to be coalescing around him, and he seems to be getting better and gaining confidence the more he plays. But he just seemed to give a little something extra for his birthday.

"We didn’t want to wish him Happy Birthday before the game," Constantine said. "It was kind of like you don’t say shutout in the middle of the game. But it’s a pretty good birthday gift for him."

And Constantine is pleased by the way Khudobin has grown as a goalie during the playoffs. "The good news is that Anton’s done two things for me as a goalie," he said. "Number one is he’s responded to losses with good outings. I think that’s a sign of a good goalie. And he’s gotten better over the course of the last month where he’s played, so he’s making adjustments to play at this level."

*********************
Because the game appeared to be rather brutal and hard hitting on the ice, I thought the perfect song to end the night with would be a little Janet Jackson, or rather, Ms. Jackson, if you're nasty.

Round 2, Game 4: Heat up the Fry Daddy and mix up some batter...

... because the Aeros may be frying up some crow for me.

My superstitions are kicking into overdrive.

Like this afternoon, I was overcome with the feeling that a very frustrated, scoreless Pouliot was finally going to get his goal. I even typed it up in a post here... and then deleted it. It just felt jinxy. But I was right!

And now, the urge is to heap praise upon the boys, but I can't. There is still work to be done. Really hard work, because everyone is tired and beat up and Milwaukee is probably pretty cranky about this situation.

My point is that I'm not saying everything I want to say here. The hockey gods reward discipline on the ice and off.

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I'm concerned about the Aeros defensive corps as Mojzis looked to be in a pretty bad way after that hit to his knee. I'll be surprised to see him Saturday. Hopefully we'll get more news on that later.

BTW, I find it barbaric when a ref doesn't blow the whistle when a guy is writhing on the ice like Mosey was. I know guys will fake injuries at times but it was a nasty looking hit and clearly he was DOWN.

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Happy Birthday, Dimples. I have no idea what to think of you anymore. But by all means, whatever mojo Kolanos was sending you with that stare-down that Fred captured, keep it up. For the first time, I didn't miss Brusty tonight.

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If you know me well, you know that at the top of my Hockey Bucket List is to see a goalie fight in person. I'm not sure tonight counted, but I did get a big laugh out of the midget goalie throwing down at center ice with an opponent during the first intermission. I almost can't believe I saw that. But it was certainly the icing on a rather delicious cake of a night.

My goalie coach's kid was one of the kids playing and I texted him, "What the hell?" He got my text and replied with, "Will that go in the blog?" So yeah, here ya go, Scotty. Attention whore...

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I talked to Nolan Yonkman, the Ads captain, and Coach Lane Lambert after the game. Yonkman said the team is somewhat frustrated not being able to score on Dimples, but Lambert didn't have to say anything to know that was the case for him as well. It was all over his body language, and understandably so. He said they just have to chip away, one game at a time now.

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Channel 13 needs someone to coach them on name pronunciations. I mean, it's great that they gave 30 seconds to hockey on tonight's broadcast, but it's not Benoit POOleeay or Anton COOduhbin. Thanks for playing though!

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I think I'm out of stuff I can safely say without feeling like I've jinxed something. Poor Mr. C's jersey even has a big stain on it and I won't wash it for him. That stain might be lucky...

Shhh... See you Saturday...

Round 2, Game #4 -- Aeros vs. Milwaukee -- Photos

Probably my favorite photo of the night.

PA Announcer Steve Vidal leads the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to Anton Khudobin. Anton joins in. Happy Birthday Anton!

I tried a bit of a failed experiment tonight. There was a new sheet of glass placed behind the Aeros net and I thought I'd get some shots from there. I don't really like how they came out but there were a few interesting ones.

This one was a bit freaky as Krys Kolanos just gave Anton quite a stare at the start of the game. He just glared at him for several seconds.

Milwaukee came this close to scoring early in the first period.

I kind of liked this angle with Anton looking around behind the net for the puck.

Here is the Pouliot goal. Rosa really worked setting this up. MacIntyre was stuck on the other side of the net for quite a while and Benoit Pouliot had a wide open net.

Pouliot didn't look too excited but Marco was pretty happy.

More tomorrow.

All Photos:Fred Trask

Round 2, Game 2: Shut Down

Well... that was more like it. That kind of dominant shutting down of the Aeros offense and the blossoming of the Admirals powerful scoring is why I predicted Milwaukee in 5.

I don't blame Dimples for the loss, and while I would have liked to see him stop a couple of those that he didn't: a) it wouldn't have mattered anyway because the Aeros couldn't score and b) he did have several highlight-reel saves that could have easily put the Ads up by more than 3 by the end of things. It's a wash, in my mind. He played fine.

The real story of this game, however, was how effective the Ads were at keeping the Aeros scorers at bay. Locke had a fat goose egg for shots on goal. Kolanos only had two.

I'm not gonna go back and check this stat, but when Kolanos has more PIM than Shots on the scoresheet, that's a guaranteed loss for the Aeros. Not good.

Here's the thing: Unlike Milwaukee, most of our skilled forwards are not strong physical players who can power to the net. We have a bunch of danglers and dekers who tend to over-complicate their own paths to the net and get lots of turnovers.

The Aeros pretty well got bitch-slapped anytime they got in the slot or around the net and that kept MacIntyre's job really, really easy. I'm not sure it would take a full hand to count quality scoring chances for the Aeros.

So, the only way the boys are gonna stand up to the way the Ads are playing is to be willing to pay the price to go to the net. I saw Hrkac in the low-slot several times trying to create opportunities for his wingers and that was terrific. In fact, that's what ultimately worked on the Earl goal. The rest of the game, the slot was devoid of green sweaters.

The defensive pairing of Stoner and Rogers just got their lovely asses kicked tonight, both being on the ice for the first three Admirals goals. I know they're being paired against the best the Ads had to offer but they both need to be better.

Justin Falk, on the other hand, couldn't have been better. I know I rave about him all the time, but man, to think where he started the season, looking scared out of his mind when he had the puck, to now where he's consistently reading plays like a wily veteran and getting his stick in there, blocking shots, playing a simple but extremely effective game. It kinda blows my mind. Kid's got the goods. He and Lundbohm were the only + players on the night, and with that goal differential, I'm amazed anybody was above 0.

Pouliot's lucky he's so good on the PK or I'd have sat him by now if I were Constantine. He's incredibly unfocused and lazy with the puck. Ugly, thoughtless passes, that breakaway shot was a joke--he's got better moves than that, turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. Brutal stuff and he's back to playing in a way that, outside of the PK, is disruptive to the flow of the Aeros offensive efforts.

Meanwhile, I like Climie in goal. I'm not saying start him. I'm just saying, he's big and calm and right where he's supposed to be. Look out because he's likely the Texas Stars goalie next season. You figure he's learning the Aeros shooters like the back of his hand right now in practice, eh?

Alright, that's enough from me. Come on home, boys. Prove me wrong.

Round 1, Game #6: Aeros vs. Peoria -- A Few Quick Thoughts

Unlike some previous games, the Aeros dominated the first two periods of play. And unlike some of the previous games, the Aeros got their asses beat in the third period. I know people are going to blame the officiating for the 2-1 loss, especially as seeing as how the Aeros served about 30 straight penalties in the third -- I exaggerate, it was probably about 25. But here's the thing, they were all stupid penalties.

At some point, the Aeros have to learn to adjust to the referee. They can handle the Jeff Smith-type refs easy because he doesn't call penalties. But when they have a guy who blows the whistle, they keep playing like it's Jeff Smith out on the ice. And the worst offenders were Benoit Pouliot and Corey Locke. And yes, I watched the game, and I saw Locke get knocked about at the end of the game with the result being no call, but with just about two minutes left in the game and your team down by a goal, you don't wait until the puck is heading in the other direction and you're nowhere near the puck to slash a guy in retaliation. So as much as it hurt the team, Corey Locke fully deserved those four minutes in the box. And that, of course, killed the Aeros chances for the night.

I've got no complaints with Anton Khudobin's play. I liked how the team worked and dominated in the first two periods. The team had chances, especially Krys Kolanos. And John Lammers nearly made a shot storming out of the penalty box in the third that would have tied the game. But that didn't happen.

Game Seven will be Monday night, and it's also in Peoria. And let's hope Kevin Constantine gives the boys a good shouting out, because they deserve it for that awful third period play. And hopefully, Jesse Schultz wasn't as injured as he looked while he limped off of the ice at the end of the game. And if he is, let's hope Mitch Love gets a little chance for some retribution.

Round 1, Game 3: A spanking! A spanking!

Okay, John's the DJ around these parts, but I've got this song banging around in my head and it's just gotta come out:


And here's what that's about: I have one note on my screen from the second period, "Pouly is sucking the life out of the power play."

Sweet. Buttered. Jesus. How many turnovers did he have on that Lehtera penalty at 16:45 in the second? Oh man, was that ever brutal. My favorite part of the game was when that line changed.

Lookit, I know I'm tough on Benny, but that's because I know he's better than this (and he did actually have some really great moments on the PK, where he's really become a stone cold stud, and some big time checks). Still, here at T3I, we have but one punishment for sucking the life out of a power play.

What? No? Fine. Can't blame a girl for trying.

All told, however, it was a terrific game. Physical again, but Mitch Love's soul-crushing beat down of Curtis Fraser at the three minute mark of the first set a tone of Aeros dominance that Peoria really never shook. Of course, it helped that the boys played their asses off, gave Peoria very little room, and Dimples was terrific. Still a few scary rebounds, but who doesn't let one of those loose from time to time? Keeps things interesting.

Links to post-game reports:
Andrew for the Chron
The Peoria Journal Star's article
Mine for PHN

Interview with Tom Lynn; Brusty bobblehead

See, this is what I get for actually going to the games and not listening to the broadcast. Anybody who listened to the game on Thursday knew Scandella was signed and arrived last week. A tip woulda been nice... Bueller? Beuller?

Anyway...

Regardless of your feelings toward him, I always get a lot out of interviews with Lynn. He really doesn't pull many punches from what I can tell, particularly when it comes to player evaluation. In this interview, he talks tough love with regard to Pouliot, and a bit on some of the younger prospects like Falk. If you're into that stuff it's worth a listen.

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Please, won't someone buy this for me?

Ahh, the wonders of Google Alerts.

Here's a tip, bobblehead maker: Just leave the mask off the goalie bobbles. Bless his heart--that's awkward.

Oh yeah, and check out that player stick. You don't need locker room access to know goalies have bigger sticks.

Anyway, yeah, I totally need that. Imagine, he has a bad game, you can thump him on the head and he'll just nod and wiggle at you. You can't stay mad at that!

You could even wad up little bits of paper and make a game of trying to flick it through that gaping 5-hole, or right in that pie plate of a catcher. Hours of fun.

UPDATE: And just to keep from appearing to be fixated on Barry by making two posts in a row about him, I'll just tack on the What's Bugging Barry? segment that Joe posted today.

Dear Aeros: Letters to the team in response to Thursday's suck-minus performance

Dear Riser,

Please don't come to Houston and bring all your brass friends when we're in a critical stretch. The boys lose their ever loving minds when they know you're in the barn and now's just not the time. Or be a little more ninja-stealth next time.

Also, your big club is done. D.O.N.E. Stop taking our players. They weren't good enough for you when we could afford to be without them. Don't make like they're good enough to save you now, or that you haven't gotten a sufficient look at them. Malarkey. Let one team in this organization have a fighting chance.

Sincerely,
Ms.C

Dear KC & staff,

What was up with those line combinations? The boys looked half the time like they'd never met each other; they didn't have a clue what their linemates were doing; there was no chemistry whatsoever. I imagine you were trying to spark something there, but yeesh. No mas.

To wit, Madsen on the fourth line with Jay and Mitch is just ... it's just... just awful. Please stop it.

Respectfully,
Ms.C

Dear Brusty,

Oh sweet mercy, how nice it was to have your puck playing, poke checking, player whacking self back on the ice. I've missed you so much.

Now look, we're both goalies here so we can be honest with each other, right? Dude, you were Mr. Delayed Reaction last night. Gotta chug those Red Bulls or whatever and get moving out there. We'll chalk it up to rust. But please don't think that was good enough.

The glove hand got going, though (show off). And the insane poke check attempt... ahhh... I know it didn't work exactly like you planned, but it's one of my favorite guilty pleasures when you pull crazy ass moves like that. It's like eating one of those Monte Cristo sandwiches. It's messy and you shouldn't do it and it may cause a heart attack but it's just slap-yer-mama delicious.

Your comrade in big, swinging sticks,
Ms.C

Dear Rejean,

I got you a t-shirt. ;)

Most sincerely,
Ms.C

Dear Benny,

The brass is in the house and that's what you give 'em? Ya just gotta protect that puck better. And where was the hitting and toughness and ferocity you've shown over the last couple of months?

Lookit -- I know it sucks that KK got called up and you didn't, but this team needs you to hunker down and focus and bring the noise. Be a pro, Ben. Play like the NHLer you think you should be. Use your teammates. Don't be a cowboy. You're better than this.

Cheering you on but ready to throw you under the bus if you keep playing like last night,
Ms.C

Dear Equipment Fellas,

Thanks for putting the boys in the darks. That was really nice.

Take care,
Ms.C

Dear Tony,

Sorry I doubted you. That goal last night was sick sick sick. I can only imagine the cred you have with your team back home as they watch you take this challenge on and succeed.

Keep it up,
Ms.C

Dear Brennan Evans,

Spearing (attempt)? Ha ha! Next time you cost your team 4 minutes in the box, you might actually want to connect with your victim, tough guy.

FU,
Ms.C

Dear Nolan,



Yours in puck stoppage,
Ms.C

Oh damn, I just remembered I was given license to drop all the f-bombs I wanted in my post-game and I dropped nary a one.

But if last night's "level of compete," as KC says, continues through the weekend, I'll make up for it. Hockey scouts and sailors will blush. Chuck Norris will cry. Don Cherry will wear a t-shirt and jeans. You don't want that on your doorstep, boys.

Aeros v. Rockford 3/27 - Photos Part 2

Antti Niemi makes a huge save with the right pad on a Jesse Schultz shot, late in the third period.
Both net minders made huge saves in the 13 round shootout. Here you see Anton Khudobin making a pad save on Tim Brent.

Antti Niemi stops Morten Madsen

Khudobin shuts down Pascal Pelletier

Krys Kolanos tries some kind of weird drag move that doesn't work out well.

Benoit Pouliot snaps one in.

Since Pouliot was successful coach put him right back out there. He tried snapping a shot from further out but Niemi was able to get a pad on it.

Anton was able to squeeze this shot between the pad and arm.

Marco Rosa got in too deep and Niemi got his blocker on it.

Krys Kolanos snaps this one past Niemi.

The Aeros needed a goal to stay alive here and Corey Locke tried the same move he used 5 nights before against Peoria. He had Niemi down but he couldn't get the shot up enough to have the same result. Rockford wins 3-2.

I couldn't decide on which one of these Niemi shots I liked better so you get both. This was as he waited ot be announced as the #1 star of the game. You can see he's a fan of Assassin's Creed.

All Photos:Fred Trask

Aeros v. Rockford 3/27 - Photos Part 1

It was Lyme Disease Awareness night and it was good to see the guys support Nolan Schaefer and his wife Lisa in their fight against the disease and to educate the public (as well as doctors) about Lyme Disease. Please take a trip over to Unmask Lyme and educate yourself. You'd be wise to read the horrific story of Lisa's struggle with the disease, the horrors she went through in getting it properly diagnosed, and her struggle to cope with this terrible disease. Keep Nolan and Lisa in your prayers.

Unfortunately Nolan had a slight injury tonight and didn't get the start. Here you can see he has his entire stick wrapped in the green tape the team used to show their support. Several players kept some tape on themselves or gear throughout the game.

Here is a shot of Brandon Rogers - The Aeros finalist for the AHL Man of the Year. It would have been nice if someone from the Aeros had informed Brandon of this honor. Congratulations and good luck in your bid to win the Yanick Dupre Memorial Award Brandon

Benoit Pouliot has really turned it on since his return from the NHL. He's been very physical, hit the score sheet regularly and his play has been notably better. Great job Benoit, your hard work is definately being noticed.

Anton Khudobin had a great night. He was outstanding in the shoot out and one of the biggest reasons the Aeros were able to get a point out of this one. Here he is locked in on a shot from Rockford's Tim Hambly

This one made a funny sound when it hit his stick and I thought perhaps the stick had broken.

Antti Niemi had a big night for Rockford after an easy first period.

Here is the Albers goal reaction from Pouliot, Kolanos, Niemi and Hambly.

This is the Robbie Earl goal that put the Aeros up 2-1 in the 3rd period.

There was discussion on some of the calls made, and not made, by Nygel Pelletier in this one. Here you can see a "no call" of what I think is a pretty clear holding offense by Robbie Earl.

Literally 2 seconds later Earl was hit with a goaltender interference for this. (Forgive the focus on this one it's a crap photo but it still clearly shows there was no penalty) He was skating through the top of the crease and Niemi clearly steps up into him, obstructs him with the stick and sticks his leg out. If there was ANY penalty to call here it was on Niemi. My guess is this was a make up call for not calling the obvious hold.

Earl pleads his case, to no avail.

This was the "no call" on Schultz. It looked to me like there was a penalty to be called here but I've not watched it on TV yet to see for sure, it could have been a good no call though. In any case, Schultz showed great effort to stay with the puck and make the play here.

And here is a Tony Hrkac for the Circus Hrkac crowd.

I'll have more photos later, especially some fantastic shoot out saves.

All Photos:Fred Trask