The TC rocked but...

the anticipation was palpable.

Ardent Aeros fans thronged the TC in renewed hopes for a 'miracle' team under the new coaches.

The house rustled, murmured, chattered and ...waited.
After the first 3 (2 regular, 1 pre season) wins the fans are avid.
Huge fan welcome to Aeros.
It was almost painful to see the expecting anxious faces ... will they win again?

And the game started.. Scratches: Prosser, Palmer, Rogers, and injured Zingoni and Cuma are still out!

And the first period belongs to Peoria with speed, action and a goal.

Barely into the game Kassian and Peluso dropped gloves and helmets and had at it...5 minute penalty for fighting, with Kassian ending up top dog!

And a minute later Bagnall and Cracknell set to as well, another 5 minute for fighting.

But nothing really helped!
Peoria was on the board at 3:01 with 1 goal and 6 shots on goal, while Aeros barely managed 2 shots.

Anton Khudobin looked slow and sleepy in the first, but rather fetching in his new fiery helmet. 
Jake Allen may have been bored due to inactivity- just kidding.
Aeros showed considerable spunk, despite some players tripping (over their own feet?) and being harassed by the 'Men in Blue' who did not make too many friends amongst Aeros fans, who will have to admit that it was a battle that grabbed their attention, especially when several melees and scrums broke out  ... between more than two players! And so they jumped up and screamed and hooted!

AK did wake up during the subsequent periods and made some spectacular saves.
The Aeros battled valiantly but they were obviously tired.

Daoust as ususal right there

Peoria played a fast, furious and -yes-very aggressive game, some incidents at times unseen by the referee (Geno Binda-newly come to AHL?) who did call several penalties almost equally distributed to both teams.

Finally early in the third, Earl with help of Rau and Wellman put Aeros on board with 1/21 sog, but at 7 into the 3. period Peoria went ahead and made it  3/30 sog.

Almond and Cundari sat for unsportsmanlike conduct. 

But at 16 :02 Daoust with Scandella managed to put Aeros up 2/31...and that was it.

Leaving the battlefield

The guys did seem energized in the third, but just a bit too late.



We now will see who will man the net tomorrow afternoon, when they re-engage OKC Barons who won last night, but will have had the long bus ride this time. Hopefully getting some sleep in their own beds will energize the team and the outcome will be a happier for the fans.



Well deserved Celebration in 'Blue'