Santa Claus thank you!

On this Boxing day,
Aeros boxed in Bachman in the shoot out following a OT without a winning goal by either team.
Contrary to past games, Aeros put on quite a show of puck flurries on the Stars net minder in the 2.period 14 SoG vs Stars 4.
Peters got an early goal in the 1. which surprised BACHMAN, who then he made up for it by stopping 30 of 33 SoGs in regulation. Stars did not waste too much time to score 1 and 2.
Di Salvatore salvaged his rep as PP scorer by getting two PP goals: Aeros up  3 to Stars 2. (Lukowich, Sceviour) and Wathier, with seconds to spare, made it 3:3 and the game went into OT.
No goals  in OT.
Shoot Out: Earl, Rau and Almond the scorers, while Stars' Gagnon and Spang did the honors there.
But Hackett stopped the others, as he did stop 22 of 25,  in regulation.
So AEROS are back in 5.slot, but with 35 games already played. Rampage , Peoria and Ads lead the pack, Stars, Aeros follow. Icehogs still hog the last slot just behind Wolves.
A good game.
Even though a bit disappointing to the numerous Stars fans that swelled the crowd to 7513 attending
NO fight calls, some roughing and other minor infractions called by New (?)  Referee Tudor FLORU.

What was really a very pleasant surprise, the National anthem was presented by a trumpeter.
Who, IMO, did an excellent job playing it and, even more so (was it on purpose)
as he 'shut out'(tee hee-pun intended) the usual STARS being yelled loudly by Stars Fans!
Anyway, someone must have read my previous blog in which I poopoo'hed the many awful sounding singers of the anthem. Just saying...or?
Due to the recent demise of my OLD computer (he lasted some 7 - 8 yrs.. miracle?) no photos until I can get "Newby" bought and up and running.
Also tried out a new camera and still need to work on kinks or return it!
Will see how that  goes.
Since I can't upload onto my teensy notebook (no memory to speak of..like some I could, but will not, mention :D!
Happy New Year and let's meet again on January 1. to welcome the NEW Year,
a NEW (?) Aeros team standing UP against the SA Rampage,
while the Miss Aeros-Bikini Competition will, no doubt, usurp the attention of several fans....
ENJOY!

Tenacious Bulldogs win in OT Dec 18, 2010

Just a few for fans' sake...........................all photos artandhockey...................................

I saved that one!




 Morin , Wathier




Sanford and Sons ;-).. not!




Twist, Twist..



Big Save by Sanford, surrounded by mates, with Boyd, the Nr. 3 Star of game (2 goals)

"Roughing" Dumont (40) and Ludwig (24) Helmets stayed on!



Larsen attentive at face off




Morin: Its MY  stick, no one can have it! ;-)



Gagnon gets High Fives after goal.



Morin paying homage perhaps...... to whom, to what?




'Fallen Star' behind the net,
Sanford is supremely unconcerned




Chupp (26), Gagnon (11), Fortunus (18) and Wathier (38) waiting for the puck to drop!




6000 PLUS throats (half at least screeching kiddoes) screaming, no need for cowbells!



Tousignant shoving, let Bachman do his saving, eh!



WE have WON!



Night of Tears, and Smiles..who'da thunk it!

First Placed Rampage loosing to Sixth placed Stars?

"Rampage leaving ice with hung heads"
but with bags full of toys for  charity :-)

In their defense, Rampage has several of their best players out with injuries or calls up to NHL.

And so the Stars shine brightly!
Bachman (Nr 1 Star) gets a shut out over the Rampage tonight...
he stopped 41 shots - 18, 12 and 11.
For the Stars
1. goal by Gazdic (also a Star :),

2. goal, unassisted, by Wathier, another Star :), (now that one was completely Fallon's fault, he was way out of position in front of his crease and Wathier just rolled it in, oh so elegantly!) 

3. goal an empty netter by Rallo.

Stars looked remarkably like the Stars of Play offs quality!

Fast skating, ice pounding, excellent passing, outstanding defense PLUS outstanding goal tending...

Seems like all I did shoot pics (to be posted after return) of Bachman stopping another of those 41 shots the Rampage peppered and badgered him all night long :-)!

Stars took full advantage of Referee Jeff Smith's penchant to call as few penalties as he can get away with.
He 'overlooked' holdings, trippings, interferences, roughings, and more infractions on both sides.

Possible further fights were speedily and succesfully broken up by the officials, before they could get out of hand to the Fans' everlasting regret.

Plenty of hits against the boards were made which DID pleasure certain rowdy and loud (hit him, hit the gaolie!!) fans ... fans?
And so the play flowed on and on and on.
He did call 2 penalties for fighting Gazdic vs Neilson (Gazdic won this) 
and the rematch in which Neilson got the upper hand quickly.
And one each for hooking on the Stars' Morin and later the Rampage's Goncharov.
And that's all, folks.
The game flowed and ended speedily.
I think this may have been the fastest, 'furiousest' yet smoothest game which had one of the best defense, with truly well aimed passing, I have personally witnessed this season!
Waves of Gold and Black overpowering waves of White and Gray- eddying to and fro.
Since the Rampage did not score, the frustrated fans started throwing bears, and more, on the ice immediately AFTER the empty netter scored by the Stars...:-) and with over a minute yet to go. 
Of course THAT did not help, even as the pulling of Fallon only opened the way for
Rallo, et al to get goal Nr. 3.
BTW we have been told that Climie was up with the Coyotes!
Montoya again injured, so a BUG named Andrew Volkening (born October 6, 1985, in Genoa, Illinois) is an American goaltender currently in his last season at the United States Air Force Academy. He has been the regular goalie for Air Force for his last three (of four) seasons. Volkening has won numerous awards in his college career. He was not drafted by an NHL team.
Awards:
2008 Atlantic Hockey Top Goaltender
2008 Atlantic Hockey Tournament all-star
2009 Atlantic Hockey Top Goaltender
2009  East Regional tournament Top Goaltender
2010 Atlantic Hockey Second All-Star) with Nr. 31 was on the bench.
Which I am sure several of his fellow airmen in attendance were delighted to see!
Could he have stopped a goal or two?  Maybe? Doubtful.
Will the Stars continue tomorrow against Hamilton? 
Which we will see, as well.

Aeros lost to Manitoba, despite the fact that Almond scored 2 goals in First
 and "Bucky", Brandon Buck got Nr. 3 in the Second-making it his 3. Ahl Goal.

Is he coming out of his shell and  repeating successes he had with the EVERBLADES?

Manitoba made 4 goals in the Third and won 5:3

Night of TEARS for Rampage and Aeros Fans!

Night of SMILES for Stargazers!