Aeros win...

after 2 lackluster periods - yawn- yawn.. without a goal by either team,
Aeros #38 "The Scrapper"Jean-Michel Daoust

with assists by DiSalvatore

and Smith (that line does seem to be rather successful) managed a power play goal in the last period.

Both teams (Rivermen and Aeros) appeared well matched in defense, with Aeros defense a bit more effective, especially that time, when Smith (I think it was him) 'defended' with his body alone since his stick was smashed during a Peoria Power play...in the third period.

Overall, Aeros had 21 shots vs Rivermen 16 shots, so it was quite proper to give the 3rd Star of the game to Ben Bishop, the Peoria Goalie, also wearing Nr. 30!

Khudobin (#30, too) had another shut out game and received 2. Star of the game with Nr. 1 Star going to "The Scrapper" JM Daoust.
In the 1. period, Khudobin had a penalty for 'delay of game' (he fell and held onto the puck outside the proscribed area) which was sat out for him by Gunderson, while Peoria's Strachan and Drazenovic both sat for hooking.
In the second period, which was primarily remarkable for nothing, except that the puck seemed to spend more time IN the air than ON the ice :-) and 3 Aeros received penalties, Zingoni (who overall skated very well and tried very hard) for 'too many men on the ice', Falk for 'delay of game' and Gillies for 'high sticking'. Peoria played it safe and had none, or at least none the referees noticed and blew the whistle on!

During this 2nd period, a 'David versus Goliad' occurrence tickled my funny bone and had "Better Half" chuckling as much as I did... JM Daoust, "The Scrapper" facing down, ahem, that should be UP, Peoria Goalie Ben Bishop :-), ;-).
Afterall "The Scrapper" at 5 ft 7" bearding (he seems to have started a beard, too.. no, really I mean it) Ben Bishop at 6 ft 7" was a sight to behold. Maybe he was taking Bishop's measure....to good avail, as he did have the ONLY goal all night and on a power play, yet--
drum roll


accompanied by roaring laughter...
too funny, but hey it's a win for the Aeros.

In the third, THE period of the ONE & ONLY AEROS goal, Peoria may have become frustrated because, voila, 2 of their players sat for hooking (#10 Cracknell) and tripping (# 44 Junland).

Of former Aeros fans fave Mitch Love was little seen, he did not strip, he did not fight, he hardly bumped into any Aeros, he skated rather little, on purpose or due to different coaching, that IS the question.

Now I am sure, that the numbers of attendees will be quoted much higher than I felt were actually in seats. My guess: between 350 - 500? Have not seen that few FANS since sometime last year after a long dry spell (of losses)! :-D