The all important question is this AM..



Gillies, Peters, O'Sullivan in action around Hackett R2G3

will/can Aeros keep the momentum displayed last evening going?

http://youtu.be/XRYpzkzBi_c

A win would be great when going to Milwaukee for the last one or two games. 

But: Will the Ads adjust to the 'newish' Aeros play?

But: Will the ice conditions make that much a difference?
Ah, well all these questions will be covered exhaustively tonight and the after the game by various  parochial bloggers, the "official blog of the Aeros", the semiofficial bloggers at T3I, and the actual print media guy.

So I shall meander over to the IIHF and report on results there from yesterdays games for those of you, cher readers, who can't or won't spend time on the net:

But I feel it is interesting to say the least, since several of those skating there now are in, or will be with the NHL and AHL teams next year.


Jason Zucker (IIHF Juniors) signed by Wild

That second half of the trade for Anton Khudobin (BTW since with the Bruins he played 4 games and recorded a  .942 % svs), Mikko Lehtonen,
for instance, has been reported to have signed with KHL for next season, so the Wild managed to get ONLY Penner for Anton for sure. Of course, it is possible the Wild may buy out that contract.. but....


So my poor country Austria again the loser with 2 versus Belarus with 7
(and Belarus was not exactly a forerunner up to now) SIGH!
Slovakia vs. Latvia 5-2, Russia vs Denmark 4-3 and  Norway vs Switzerland 3-2.
Hmm, that begs the question: are Austria and Switzerland - being so 'hilly' and better known for other winter sports (skiing), - less prone to manage flat surfaces (just kidding).
Also you may notice that Italy, also a 'hilly' (in the North) nation did not field a team competing.

And France (also hilly) was not exactly a "burning up the ice" team as well. Again am kidding! Although Austria has supplied a few, a very few, good to excellent hockey players to the NHL

(Vanek, An
dreas Nodl 

 
Michael Grabner..etc.).
Not sure why Slovakia,  Czech Republic and Slovenia (all hilly countries to some extent, as well) do so much better in hockey? Goalies (Vokoun, etal), giants-not in basketball (Chara) - and many other skaters.
Is it because these neighbour states of the former USSR followed the example of state athlete training -get them young and they'll do better (vide China's 'baby' athletes!!).
But then where IS Hungary?
Any way just some nagging questions while sorta following the IIHF over there!

Drag out your summer hats...

soon the dreaded summer sadness will set in! 
What the h... do I mean? 
No hockey.
Of course one can, to stave off withdrawal symptoms, transfer one's allegiance to other sports.
No opera.
Or other forms of entertainment.

I, for one, choose not to do so.
I shall take recourse to DVD's about hockey (lol).
And more importantly travel some to see LIVE opera at summer festivals.
But mainly stay in cool rooms and watch DVD's of opera recorded in houses all around the world!
And that, while not perfect, will be, barely, enough to hold me till the fall.

Visits to art museums are also a relief!
And to feast one's eyes on masterpieces.
Titian will come to the MFAH shortly!
I am already salivating ...lol.
Which of his masterpieces will be on show?
But even if only a few will be shown a repeated visit will be worth the time.
Below a few examples.

La Flora

Although he did paint many subjects, he is probably more known for his undulating bodies
(more often than not of females)..

Titans

Just a thought.
Tonight Aeros and Admirals will do battle once more.
And it is hoped they will have risen from the laurel bed and give no quarter to the Admirals, if one is an Aeros fan.
And vice versa, of course, if one is an Admirals fan.
Of course, if one is neither, then just sit back and enjoy a HOCKEY game per se.
Soon enough the seaon will be over.

From the  NHL:
The Sharks, Tampa Bay and the Bruins seem to be on their way.
The Preds and Canucks will play tonight.

From the IIHF:
UPDATE
for Tuesday;
Canada wins in OT vs Switzerland 4-3,
Germany vs Slovakia 3-2;
France vs Belarus 2-1,
Russia vs Slovenia 4-3.
for Wednesday:
The Czechs check Finland 2-1;
Sweden trounces USA with 6-2;
Norway (must have said to Austria NoWay - lol ) shuts out Austria 5-0
and  Denmark wins over Latvia 3-2.

And  the Slovene goalie Robert Kristan is HOT and I mean hot...

in just two games he made 100 saves!! 

                                        

Maybe like that? Just by levitating?  LOL.............

Anticipation surges high

again.
And not only because Bin Laden is - reportedly - finally brought down so maybe the wars in Afghanistan and elsewhere will also wear down.



Matt Hackett (AHL photos)

But also, that the Aeros will face the Admirals at home and bring home the - well not the bacon, but something more exciting - the chance to move up a notch in the Battle for the Calder Cup.As of today the pairings in the West show that
Aeros and Admirals are 1-1, Bulls and Moose 2-0.

And the 'cousins' out East:
Baby Sens 2 and Pirates 1, Baby Pens and Checkers 1-1.

And in the IIHF

Here is some news about 'short and light' Wild Prospect Mikael Granlund:

http://www.iihf.com/nc/home-of-hockey/championships/news-singleview-championchips/article/the-iceman-cometh.html

and if anyone is interested an article about an ageless (ha ageless - at 38 - double ha) Austrian Skater:

http://www.iihf.com/nc/home-of-hockey/championships/news-singleview-championchips/article/ageless-austrian-enjoys-ride.html
Results from Sunday games:
Russia - Slovenia 5-4; Canada - France 9-; Germany - Slovakia 4-3
and Switzerland - Belarus 4-1.

Latvia's Arturs Kulda suspended for only 3 games for his 'intended' check on Radek Martinek of Czech Republic, who sustained a major concussion with large hematoma and will be out indefinitely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0acsN5A2djc&feature=player_detailpage

Today's games: Cze vs Den; USA vs Nor; Lat vs Fin
and Swe vs Aut.