Sunday, March 20, 2011
Aeros/Rampage on TV
Just a note from our friends Joe and Rich. Today's game in San Antonio will be televised on Fox Sports Southwest, so be sure to check your cable TV listings in order to find it.
3/19/11 -- Aeros v. Rampage -- The Separation Edition
The Aeros needed the win over San Antonio Rampage tonight. They needed the win to get points and stay close to Milwaukee, but more importantly, they needed the win so that they could start to get some separation from themselves and the clubs below them. And they needed to start sensing the kill and putting opponents out of their playoff misery.
And with a convincing 5-1 win over the Rampage tonight, before a huge, electric crowd of 11,273, the Aeros did everything they needed to, and more. Mike Yeo, getting some players back healthy, did some line shuffling, and saw a huge payoff, and Carson McMillan scored two goals within 19 seconds to put the Aeros up 4-0 late in the second period and put the final nail in the Rampage coffin for the night.
So let’s get to it.
1. Important stuff first: Milwaukee lost 3-2 to Lake Erie, so the Aeros moved back to a point out of first place. Bigger than that, Rockford beat Peoria 4-3 and Oklahoma City beat Chicago 4-3. And with Texas not playing tonight, the Aeros are finally getting some of that mythical separation between themselves and the teams behind them in the playoff hunt. Separation that’s going to be important that last week when the Aeros are off for eight days while everybody else plays multiple games.
The Aeros are now five points up on Peoria and Oklahoma City. They’re six points up on Texas, seven points up on Chicago, and eight points up on a San Antonio team that is fading, and fading quickly.
2. The game tonight was scoreless after one period. But the Aeros controlled the action in a fight-filled period and set the stage for a second period where they lit up the Rampage for four goals.
3. The goals in the fourth period were all things of real beauty. Patrick O’Sullivan got the first goal, a sick little number made possible off of a Jon DiSalvatore play down in the corner. O’Sullivan got the puck in the slot and just did what he does. San Antonio’s Joe Fallon never stood a chance of stopping the shot.
The second goal saw Robbie Earl, from about the same spot as O’Sullivan’s, flipping the puck over the Fallon’s stick off of a pass from Cody Almond. And like O’Sullivan’s goal, it was just one of those goals that make you go “WOW,” even when you’re sitting in the press box and you’re not supposed to be cheering.
Then it was the Carson McMillan show as at 16:55 he took a shot from the left circle and lifted it over Fallon and right under the cross bar to put Houston up 3-0. And just as everybody was settling down, he struck again, getting a pass from Jed Ortmeyer as he crossed in front of the goal, where he tipped it past Fallon.
4. McMillan’s been a key guy for the Aeros this year. He’s been doing all of the gritty stuff that doesn’t really get the notice because it’s not glamorous, so nobody was happier for McMillan tonight than Yeo.
“I’m happy for him,” Yeo said. “The thing is, he doesn’t need to score to have a great game. He understands that. That’s one of the reasons why I think he’s really put himself on the map as far as being a prospect in this organization this year. He’s a guy that – he’s just a great role player. Whatever his job is he’s going to go out and do it that night. The reason I’m happy for him is, he’s been a guy who’s moved up to top lines and moved up in the lineup, and he’s scored some goals and he’s got some points, and the next thing you know he’s back on the fourth line. But whether he’s on the fourth line or the second line he’s equally as important to us. I was happy to see it. Every time he’s handled it with unbelievable attitude and I was happy to see him get rewarded.”
5. Yeo was happy about his team’s play for the entire game. Especially with the way they came out and stuck to the game plan and executed and dominated. We asked him about that second period after the game, and he said the second period happened because of the play in the first period.
“That’s the way you draw it up right there,” he said. “I thought the first period was good, too, actually. We had a game plan, and the guys were committed to it right from the start. We didn’t bury pucks in the first period, but we started to tilt the ice, and when you do that, you put yourself in a position to do what we did in the second period.”
6. Colton Gillies returned to action tonight, and his play was noticeable throughout, especially early in the game when the Aeros were on the penalty kill. But Yeo also thought Gillies did a great job throughout of the night of wearing down the San Antonio defensemen, and by making them look for him throughout the night every time they tried to make something happen throughout the game.
7. With the return of Gillies, and with Scott Campbell joining the team out of college, the Aeros did a bit of line reshuffling. Cody Almond rejoined the top line with Patrick O’Sullivan and Jon DiSalvagore, while Casey Wellman joined line two with Robbie Earl and Chad Rau. Carson McMillan moved up to line three with Jed Ortmeyer and Colton Gillies while the new guy played with Jarod Palmer and Jean-Michel Daoust.
Yeo thinks this gives the team really good balance on the main two scoring lines, and he likes the added threat that now comes from the third line.
8. The team also saw defenseman Jeff Penner take the ice for the first time tonight, and he looked good. Which is important seeing as how Marco Scandella broke a finger playing for the Wild today and Nate Prosser was recalled to join them.
9. The Aeros did try to get McMillan his hat trick tonight. The Aeros got a 4:00 power play to end the game, and McMillan was out there, in front of the goal, for most of it. He told us after the game that Ortmeyer made sure that Mike Yeo knew just what the stakes were, and that McMillan got out on the ice, and McMillan then told us that Jon DiSalvatore did everything within his power to set up the goal.
10. This was a really physical game that at times, especially late in the third period, threatened to escalate out of control as San Antonio seemed to be taking their frustrations out on the Aeros.
“I think frustration was a big part of it,” Yeo said. “I also think that the fact that we play them tomorrow and they want to put up a fight and say hey, we’re not going to roll over and die. I don’t mind that stuff. We have guys that can handle themselves. I love seeing another get frustrated and doing that stuff because it means we’re getting to them. And I’d love to see it happen again tomorrow.”
And Yeo expects more of this type of play from the Rampage tomorrow.
11. It might just be me, but it seemed to me that the Aeros were sensing it tonight. They were sensing that playoff spot, and they were sensing that the Rampage are about down for the count. There are still nine games left, but the Aeros are finally getting some separation between themselves and the teams below them, and they really seemed to be playing with confidence and a great sense of purpose of tonight.
But who knows what will happen tomorrow.
It's been a while since I've played a video, but there's this song that's been going through my head lately -- and is kind of stuck on my iPod repeat, that I think just gets the proper attitude of tonight's game. It's kind of sassy, with a 70s soul vibe and lots of sax and keyboard. So here are Fitz and the Temptations with "Money Grabber."
And I'll try to get some photos up later.
And with a convincing 5-1 win over the Rampage tonight, before a huge, electric crowd of 11,273, the Aeros did everything they needed to, and more. Mike Yeo, getting some players back healthy, did some line shuffling, and saw a huge payoff, and Carson McMillan scored two goals within 19 seconds to put the Aeros up 4-0 late in the second period and put the final nail in the Rampage coffin for the night.
So let’s get to it.
1. Important stuff first: Milwaukee lost 3-2 to Lake Erie, so the Aeros moved back to a point out of first place. Bigger than that, Rockford beat Peoria 4-3 and Oklahoma City beat Chicago 4-3. And with Texas not playing tonight, the Aeros are finally getting some of that mythical separation between themselves and the teams behind them in the playoff hunt. Separation that’s going to be important that last week when the Aeros are off for eight days while everybody else plays multiple games.
The Aeros are now five points up on Peoria and Oklahoma City. They’re six points up on Texas, seven points up on Chicago, and eight points up on a San Antonio team that is fading, and fading quickly.
2. The game tonight was scoreless after one period. But the Aeros controlled the action in a fight-filled period and set the stage for a second period where they lit up the Rampage for four goals.
3. The goals in the fourth period were all things of real beauty. Patrick O’Sullivan got the first goal, a sick little number made possible off of a Jon DiSalvatore play down in the corner. O’Sullivan got the puck in the slot and just did what he does. San Antonio’s Joe Fallon never stood a chance of stopping the shot.
The second goal saw Robbie Earl, from about the same spot as O’Sullivan’s, flipping the puck over the Fallon’s stick off of a pass from Cody Almond. And like O’Sullivan’s goal, it was just one of those goals that make you go “WOW,” even when you’re sitting in the press box and you’re not supposed to be cheering.
Then it was the Carson McMillan show as at 16:55 he took a shot from the left circle and lifted it over Fallon and right under the cross bar to put Houston up 3-0. And just as everybody was settling down, he struck again, getting a pass from Jed Ortmeyer as he crossed in front of the goal, where he tipped it past Fallon.
4. McMillan’s been a key guy for the Aeros this year. He’s been doing all of the gritty stuff that doesn’t really get the notice because it’s not glamorous, so nobody was happier for McMillan tonight than Yeo.
“I’m happy for him,” Yeo said. “The thing is, he doesn’t need to score to have a great game. He understands that. That’s one of the reasons why I think he’s really put himself on the map as far as being a prospect in this organization this year. He’s a guy that – he’s just a great role player. Whatever his job is he’s going to go out and do it that night. The reason I’m happy for him is, he’s been a guy who’s moved up to top lines and moved up in the lineup, and he’s scored some goals and he’s got some points, and the next thing you know he’s back on the fourth line. But whether he’s on the fourth line or the second line he’s equally as important to us. I was happy to see it. Every time he’s handled it with unbelievable attitude and I was happy to see him get rewarded.”
5. Yeo was happy about his team’s play for the entire game. Especially with the way they came out and stuck to the game plan and executed and dominated. We asked him about that second period after the game, and he said the second period happened because of the play in the first period.
“That’s the way you draw it up right there,” he said. “I thought the first period was good, too, actually. We had a game plan, and the guys were committed to it right from the start. We didn’t bury pucks in the first period, but we started to tilt the ice, and when you do that, you put yourself in a position to do what we did in the second period.”
6. Colton Gillies returned to action tonight, and his play was noticeable throughout, especially early in the game when the Aeros were on the penalty kill. But Yeo also thought Gillies did a great job throughout of the night of wearing down the San Antonio defensemen, and by making them look for him throughout the night every time they tried to make something happen throughout the game.
7. With the return of Gillies, and with Scott Campbell joining the team out of college, the Aeros did a bit of line reshuffling. Cody Almond rejoined the top line with Patrick O’Sullivan and Jon DiSalvagore, while Casey Wellman joined line two with Robbie Earl and Chad Rau. Carson McMillan moved up to line three with Jed Ortmeyer and Colton Gillies while the new guy played with Jarod Palmer and Jean-Michel Daoust.
Yeo thinks this gives the team really good balance on the main two scoring lines, and he likes the added threat that now comes from the third line.
8. The team also saw defenseman Jeff Penner take the ice for the first time tonight, and he looked good. Which is important seeing as how Marco Scandella broke a finger playing for the Wild today and Nate Prosser was recalled to join them.
9. The Aeros did try to get McMillan his hat trick tonight. The Aeros got a 4:00 power play to end the game, and McMillan was out there, in front of the goal, for most of it. He told us after the game that Ortmeyer made sure that Mike Yeo knew just what the stakes were, and that McMillan got out on the ice, and McMillan then told us that Jon DiSalvatore did everything within his power to set up the goal.
10. This was a really physical game that at times, especially late in the third period, threatened to escalate out of control as San Antonio seemed to be taking their frustrations out on the Aeros.
“I think frustration was a big part of it,” Yeo said. “I also think that the fact that we play them tomorrow and they want to put up a fight and say hey, we’re not going to roll over and die. I don’t mind that stuff. We have guys that can handle themselves. I love seeing another get frustrated and doing that stuff because it means we’re getting to them. And I’d love to see it happen again tomorrow.”
And Yeo expects more of this type of play from the Rampage tomorrow.
11. It might just be me, but it seemed to me that the Aeros were sensing it tonight. They were sensing that playoff spot, and they were sensing that the Rampage are about down for the count. There are still nine games left, but the Aeros are finally getting some separation between themselves and the teams below them, and they really seemed to be playing with confidence and a great sense of purpose of tonight.
But who knows what will happen tomorrow.
It's been a while since I've played a video, but there's this song that's been going through my head lately -- and is kind of stuck on my iPod repeat, that I think just gets the proper attitude of tonight's game. It's kind of sassy, with a 70s soul vibe and lots of sax and keyboard. So here are Fitz and the Temptations with "Money Grabber."
And I'll try to get some photos up later.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Letters from the Heart...
Dear Dane Byers,
What the hell is your problem with Houston, son? Every time you come in our barn, you act like a jackass. You need to get a grip on your shit and settle down.
Last time you were here, you pounded Benoit Pouliot's face into the ice after punching his teeth out. To hear me talk while he was here, you'd might think I'd approve of that, but it made my stomach turn to watch you be so ragey and out of control.
At least you didn't actually hurt anyone (though whoever you sucker punched would probably like to argue that point) tonight. I hope the league gives you some time to think about the kind of player you want to be and whether jumping players out of frustration is really it.
Get outttt,
Ms.C
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Dear Carson,
I like you. You remind me of Clutterbuck when he was here, minus the irritation factor. Flashes of a great shot, willingness to grind and battle and sacrifice. You're the kind of player whose efforts so often go unheralded that it's extra nice when you have a game like tonight where you do get the spotlight for a while.
One of the things I look for as an AHL, ahem, "specialist" is improvement year over year. If I don't see improvement from a guy's rookie season, I get worried. The guy isn't getting it. But you are getting it. I see tremendous growth in every aspect of your game this season. Offensively, certainly, but you also just seem more confident with and without the puck, take fewer penalties while not sacrificing grittiness, and one of the big things is that you're versatile. Throw you on any line and you'll get the job done (again, another Clutterbuckian quality).
Can't wait to see where next season takes you.
Sincerely,
Ms.C
-------------------------------
Dear Hack,
I hate to talk to goalies who are playing well, so I'll keep this brief. Whatever it has done for you to be The Man in goal for this team (vs. competing with Khudobin, who appeared to have checked out about half the time) is a good thing.
You look loose, like you're having fun, taking some chances and succeeding with them, like the air around you is lighter. It's really a joy to watch.
Now, forget I said anything and just keep doing whatever you're doing.
Pad taps,
Ms.C
------------------------------------
Dear Cody Bass of the Binghamton Senators,
How YOU doin'?
*Wink*,
Ms.C
-----------------------------
Dear Colton,
My feelings are best expressed in song:
I totally did not understand your contribution to this team until it no longer had it. I still don't quite understand it, but whatever it is, it's critical to this team's success.
Welcome back and be well,
Ms.C
View from the Press Box - Aeros wallop Rampage 5-1
First off, hats off to the fans tonight! More than 11,000 in the building to see one of the best (one-sided) games of the year. San Antonio just had no life in this game, and the Aeros made sure they never got anything going.
Nothing but good things to say on a night where the Aeros probably lost Nate Prosser for the rest of the regular season to the Minnesota Infirmary. The Rampage will come out hard Sunday, so the Aeros really need to be ready for a first period blitz at the AT&T Center.
Mike Yeo said he is not sure as to who he will start in goal Sunday, but it sounded like he was leaning toward coming back with Hackett. The rookie just did not get a lot of work tonight, and he was won three straight ... so I say roll with it. We'll see tomorrow.
The Aeros are now a season-high 15 games over .500 and are 10 over .500 at home. They finished this season-high five-game homestand with a record of 3-1-0-1 and are now five points clear of third-place OKC and Peoria.
I am sure John and Heather will have more later, but here is a look at the updated playoff picture. The Aeros are getting closer to the six-to-eight point cushion they really need going into that week where they don't play any games. This team is good enough to get the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, as it would be quite nice to have home ice in the first round.
Click on the image below to get a closer look:
- O'Sullivan goal = Sick.
- Earl goal = a beaut.
- McMillan's first goal = wow.
Nothing but good things to say on a night where the Aeros probably lost Nate Prosser for the rest of the regular season to the Minnesota Infirmary. The Rampage will come out hard Sunday, so the Aeros really need to be ready for a first period blitz at the AT&T Center.
Mike Yeo said he is not sure as to who he will start in goal Sunday, but it sounded like he was leaning toward coming back with Hackett. The rookie just did not get a lot of work tonight, and he was won three straight ... so I say roll with it. We'll see tomorrow.
The Aeros are now a season-high 15 games over .500 and are 10 over .500 at home. They finished this season-high five-game homestand with a record of 3-1-0-1 and are now five points clear of third-place OKC and Peoria.
I am sure John and Heather will have more later, but here is a look at the updated playoff picture. The Aeros are getting closer to the six-to-eight point cushion they really need going into that week where they don't play any games. This team is good enough to get the No. 1 or No. 2 seed, as it would be quite nice to have home ice in the first round.
Click on the image below to get a closer look:
And Today In Wild Injury News...
Marco Scandella broke a finger in the Wild game this afternoon. And some other Wild D are suffering from lingering injuries. So Michael Russo is reporting that the Wild are calling up a defenseman from the Aeros this afternoon. Which is kind of surprising in that I don't think the Aeros have that many extra defensemen lying around.
But that's the news. No word on who the call-up will be. But I'm pretty sure that the Aeros are going to desperately miss anyone called up. And some advice, if you're a player called up to the Wild, make sure that all of your insurance policies are updated.
But that's the news. No word on who the call-up will be. But I'm pretty sure that the Aeros are going to desperately miss anyone called up. And some advice, if you're a player called up to the Wild, make sure that all of your insurance policies are updated.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Say Hello To The Twins
Say hello to Kristen and Kirsten, or is it Kirsten and Kristen. These young ladies, along with being twins, are members of the Aerodynamics. I did a quick interview with them before last Sunday's 6-3 win over Manitoba, and if you click over to the mothership, you can see the story.Just a couple of quick notes. The Dynamics actually have two sets of twins, I prefer the term twin twins, but I didn't get the chance to talk to them. Also, this isn't in the story, but if you're wondering how they do the dance routines on the ice, well, it's a bit of a cheat. They're not wearing ordinary sneakers, but are instead wearing special sneakers that have a special grip on the soles.
Sure it's a trifle, but hey, I thought it would be nice to break up the tension of the playoff race. See you all tomorrow night.
Photos from Tuesday's OT win
Sorry for the delay on pics from Tuesday's game. The trade-off of having Jerina in town to shoot the game was that he had to finish his trip before we could get the pics.
It's worth the wait though. Have you seen a picture that sums up the second half of this season better?
The start of Buck's funny breakaway attempt. Well, maybe not funny to him, but I thought Dekanich coming out and challenging (as you can see by the ice markings) at the top of the circles was funny. Then that MKE d-man getting a stick in there and tipping Buck's shot JUST wide of the post. Just a crazy play full of grandiose effort on both sides.
Earl's OT game winner cele. Just another day at the office, right?
Earl gets mobbed by a bunch of happy guys. Is that Buck with the kissy face there? It's okay, man. I think we all wanted to pucker up for Earlsy after that goal.
Stickless Cody Almond prepares to sacrifice his face to the puck. Dude.
Finally, our boy Torch got himself an Aeros-themed mask that's pretty sharp:
All photos courtesy of Chris "Tip of the Churro to Ya'!" Jerina. You can see the rest from this game right here. Muchas gracias for the photos, Chris!
It's worth the wait though. Have you seen a picture that sums up the second half of this season better?
The start of Buck's funny breakaway attempt. Well, maybe not funny to him, but I thought Dekanich coming out and challenging (as you can see by the ice markings) at the top of the circles was funny. Then that MKE d-man getting a stick in there and tipping Buck's shot JUST wide of the post. Just a crazy play full of grandiose effort on both sides.
Earl gets mobbed by a bunch of happy guys. Is that Buck with the kissy face there? It's okay, man. I think we all wanted to pucker up for Earlsy after that goal.
Stickless Cody Almond prepares to sacrifice his face to the puck. Dude.
Finally, our boy Torch got himself an Aeros-themed mask that's pretty sharp:
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| Honoring his Bakersfield Condor past... |
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| Never mind that he's not actually #39 here. |
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
View from the Press Box - Aeros win OT thriller over Admirals
It is hard to believe there are just 10 games left in the regular season.It is also difficult to fathom that the Aeros could still, possibly, not make the playoffs. No need to go down that negative road today when you've got great things to talk about like the season Patrick O'Sullivan is having in Houston. Forget all the collapse talk when you've got Robbie Earl snapping a month-long goal drought with back-to-back games winners in crucial home games.
I had a good feeling about the game Friday for the same reason I had a real bad feeling about the last time the Aeros played in Cedar Park. One team was due to win against the other. My old friend Rob Daum used to challenge my law of averages argument. "What IS that, really," he used to ask. I'd change the subject by telling him, "Well, you're team is only as good as the starting goalie for your next game." Considering he had Tony Quesada and Miro Kopriva manning the pipes ... well, let's just say that is the end of the conversation.
Seventy down and 10 to go ... and speaking of laws of averages; the last four two-game winning streaks have been stopped with a regulation loss. If you like patterns, you can say the Aeros lose Saturday. If you like the law of averages argument, it's a win hands down.
You can spin just about anything, any way.
But I digress ...
I asked Robbie if the Aeros just wanted it more, did they perhaps will themselves to a win. "Well the game went to OT, ...I think both teams really wanted this one," he said. And I think that speaks volumes. That is how it is going to be for the last 10 games. Every mistake, every goal for and against will be under the microscope. Just as Forecheck said in a comment, "Welcome to the playoffs! "
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Aeros stun Milwaukee in 3-2 OT win; join them in first place
Well, how about that snoozefest, huh?
Okay, maybe not. I think the Aeros 3-2 OT win over Milwaukee looked as much like playoff hockey as... playoff hockey. Hard hitting, fast, focused, and fun to watch from top to bottom.
Both goalies were fantastic in general, except for the incredible brain fart on that second goal against Milwaukee where Dekanich literally just stood there as O'Sullivan looked to be dumping the puck into the zone from center ice, but ended up putting it on net instead.
Poor Dex. I don't think I breathed for a full minute after this. He's a really good goalie. Just goes to show you how tough the position is that someone this good would space out like that.
At least, I'm calling it spacing out. He tracked it right into the net. Maybe he was screened but still. What a shock.
And what a momentum shift. The goal came just after Milwaukee took the lead on an iffy goal and you could feel a bit of a slump in the building because Dex is playing so well and how the hell will they get another goal? But then BOOM. Sully evens it up and maybe embarrasses the Ads a bit.
The game stayed tight the rest of the way, so I wouldn't say the momentum shifted TO the Aeros there, but it certainly came back to neutral again.
Credit to Andrew, he picked the Aeros to win right here today. And early in the game he called Robbie Earl with the GWG. How money is that? It seemed like it happened almost in slow motion, too.
Lots of guys had really good games, from my perspective. I feel like Daoust is playing like I want him to now. Falk looked great. Rau with two first assists. He reminds me of Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Maybe it's just me.
BTW, I think the Wellman, DiSalvatore, O'Sullivan line needs a name. Put your suggestions in the comments. They are a scary trio and my inner goalie just hates O'Sullivan. He just finds these holes, and he's so damn handsy and dangly and slick. Damn it. But keep it up dude.
Anyway, I'll wrap up with some quotes from Yeo who talked to us outside a locker room so jubilant, I think there might have been some monkeys in the room.
On staying even keeled and focused:
"It’s really important right now not to get too wrapped up in everything. We could have lost the game tonight and then you’re looking at the other teams and you feel like you’re at the bottom and you feel like the world is about to end. The opposite is we can’t get too excited either. The reality is we just need to win games. We need points. We got 2 points and that’s good but we’re going to lose another game along the way probably and we have to be able to react to it and it’s just a matter of going into each game and understanding that you go out and play your best game that night and you let the chips fall where they fall. That’s what we've been doing the last couple of games."
On the penalty kill that hasn't exactly been knocking it out of the park lately and allowed 2 PP goals on 3 chances tonight:
"I think we’re probably overusing some defensemen right now, just because of the inexperience of Fritche back there. You could see that the first goal that they scored was just fatigue on our part. We got caught on a long shift out there; those guys were out there almost 2 minutes.
Are we missing Peters? Are we missing Gillies? Yes, but it has to be better. These guys are capable of being better and I think there shouldn’t be any doubt in our system and what we’re trying to accomplish out there right now and it looks like at times there is. We have to work on it because that’s got to be a staple of our team. Because when we’re doing it well it well that’s a penalty kill that builds momentum for our group."
Finally, some general positivity about the current state of the team:
"I give our guys a boatload of credit because we haven’t been as fortunate with getting the first goal but we've stayed with it. I think our guys have been focused on playing a great game because of that, we've been able to bounce back from that."
The Aeros are now in 1st place with Milwaukee, who have FOUR games in hand on Houston. But as Yeo told us, the key right now, no matter who they're playing, is to get points.
Okay, maybe not. I think the Aeros 3-2 OT win over Milwaukee looked as much like playoff hockey as... playoff hockey. Hard hitting, fast, focused, and fun to watch from top to bottom.
Both goalies were fantastic in general, except for the incredible brain fart on that second goal against Milwaukee where Dekanich literally just stood there as O'Sullivan looked to be dumping the puck into the zone from center ice, but ended up putting it on net instead.
Poor Dex. I don't think I breathed for a full minute after this. He's a really good goalie. Just goes to show you how tough the position is that someone this good would space out like that.
At least, I'm calling it spacing out. He tracked it right into the net. Maybe he was screened but still. What a shock.
And what a momentum shift. The goal came just after Milwaukee took the lead on an iffy goal and you could feel a bit of a slump in the building because Dex is playing so well and how the hell will they get another goal? But then BOOM. Sully evens it up and maybe embarrasses the Ads a bit.
The game stayed tight the rest of the way, so I wouldn't say the momentum shifted TO the Aeros there, but it certainly came back to neutral again.
Credit to Andrew, he picked the Aeros to win right here today. And early in the game he called Robbie Earl with the GWG. How money is that? It seemed like it happened almost in slow motion, too.
Lots of guys had really good games, from my perspective. I feel like Daoust is playing like I want him to now. Falk looked great. Rau with two first assists. He reminds me of Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Maybe it's just me.
BTW, I think the Wellman, DiSalvatore, O'Sullivan line needs a name. Put your suggestions in the comments. They are a scary trio and my inner goalie just hates O'Sullivan. He just finds these holes, and he's so damn handsy and dangly and slick. Damn it. But keep it up dude.
Anyway, I'll wrap up with some quotes from Yeo who talked to us outside a locker room so jubilant, I think there might have been some monkeys in the room.
On staying even keeled and focused:
"It’s really important right now not to get too wrapped up in everything. We could have lost the game tonight and then you’re looking at the other teams and you feel like you’re at the bottom and you feel like the world is about to end. The opposite is we can’t get too excited either. The reality is we just need to win games. We need points. We got 2 points and that’s good but we’re going to lose another game along the way probably and we have to be able to react to it and it’s just a matter of going into each game and understanding that you go out and play your best game that night and you let the chips fall where they fall. That’s what we've been doing the last couple of games."
On the penalty kill that hasn't exactly been knocking it out of the park lately and allowed 2 PP goals on 3 chances tonight:
"I think we’re probably overusing some defensemen right now, just because of the inexperience of Fritche back there. You could see that the first goal that they scored was just fatigue on our part. We got caught on a long shift out there; those guys were out there almost 2 minutes.
Are we missing Peters? Are we missing Gillies? Yes, but it has to be better. These guys are capable of being better and I think there shouldn’t be any doubt in our system and what we’re trying to accomplish out there right now and it looks like at times there is. We have to work on it because that’s got to be a staple of our team. Because when we’re doing it well it well that’s a penalty kill that builds momentum for our group."
Finally, some general positivity about the current state of the team:
"I give our guys a boatload of credit because we haven’t been as fortunate with getting the first goal but we've stayed with it. I think our guys have been focused on playing a great game because of that, we've been able to bounce back from that."
The Aeros are now in 1st place with Milwaukee, who have FOUR games in hand on Houston. But as Yeo told us, the key right now, no matter who they're playing, is to get points.
Storylines to make you giddy - Mr. Sunshine edition
I kind of talked about the "heavier" side of tonight's game in the post below. There are only 11 games left, and this is a HUGE hockey game. The Aeros have Milwaukee two more times this year, and they need to beat them twice if they want a shot at the No. 1 seed entering the playoffs. But if you aren't excited about tonight's game, you're just not paying attention. Here are some nuggets that ought to make you smile about paying your good hard-earned money to see a minor league hockey game:
- The Aeros are just coming off their latest must-win game, a 6-3 win over Manitoba. They scored six goals in the third, a 17-year old franchise record for goals in a period.
- Houston is 28-17-1-1 vs. West Division teams, and guess what, the Admirals play in the West.
- The Aeros are 20-8-0-3 since Jan. 1. Few teams in the AHL can match those numbers.
- Matt Hackett is going to start tonight; here's to hoping he finishes and allows two goals or less. All 38 of the Aeros' wins have come when the team allows three or fewer goals.
- Hackett (16-13-4) is second among AHL rookies and sixth overall with a 2.25 (overall) goals-against average. At home, Hackett is 8-4-2 with a 2.33 GAA and a .916 saves percentage.
- Patrick O’Sullivan is the main reason why the Aeros are 20-8-0-3 since Jan. 1; He has points in 11 of his last 12 games (6-13-19) and points in 20 of 26 as an Aero this season (14-19-33).
- Look at those numbers up there. That is effing crazy.
- Speaking of crazy numbers, look at what the arrival of O'Sullivan has done to Jon DiSalvatore.
- Jon DiSalvatore (22-29-51) has matched his career high in goals thanks to a 14-15-29 (29! points!) spurt since O’Sullivan joined the club.
- More on O'Sullivan - He is now fourth on the team in scoring with 14 goals, 19 assists for 33 points. Sick.
- And remember, even if the Aeros lose their last 11 games, they still finish above .500!
- (That last one was a positive nugget for Forecheck)
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