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!