To stay or not to stay...

that is NO longer the question, methinks, when it comes to the future at the TC of the Houston Aeros. Aeros there may be, just not Houston Aeros.

Now to the, at this time still Houston Aeros, they have lost again. To the Wolves last night!
They have players who seem to be indifferent, bored (?) or  worse, incompetent (?) to achieve anything on ice.

From another loss to The Chicago Wolves-this one here in Houston 2011.

The persistent rumors that have been making the rounds for months now, are grounded in reality.  The TC and Les will not renew the Aeros/Wild lease after this season, because he cannot use the TC for more profitable rock concerts, or so the rumors fly! 

Now, I might have a solution to the Les dilemma: Maybe he ought to bring in Justin Bieber to play with the Aeros.. that ought to fill the TC to the rafters and even have an overflow outside which could ONLY be satisfied by big screens set up. He could surely also charge a pretty penny for those standing room only tickets en plein aire ;-)!

For more on the situation (not the Bieber idea) read The Chronicle on line, or the T3I post recently.

Begs the question:
Do the players already know their future will NOT be in Houston?
And has that an impact on their playing?
It ought not.

Because, while the Aeros may be gone, the game of hockey will continue.
As is shown by the fans' reaction to the  resumption of NHL games.
Which does surprise me a bit after  reading all those fed-up fans' comments during the lock out!
Well, maybe not too much.
After all - or so it seems to me -  sports are really more dominant in people's lives than the arts.
Which are being relegated to the back burners almost everywhere.

As is so much else.
This 'old' me does feel the loss of a broader experience by the youth of today is lamentable.
It limits them so!

Rampage celebrate Epiphany with 5-2 win over Peoria

Yes, sirree.

Brendon Nash  (Nr. 42) is totally oblivious to T-Bone's animating the crowd, which was respectable but not overwhelming

No, he IS not related to Enrico Caruso lol!

Despite a so-so first period when both teams seem to test their skates on the ice at the-for once - not quite as freezing ATT center in San Antonio, the next two periods went better with the third rather' caliente'. :-)
 About 5,000 fans attended and seemed a bit subdued at first but with the help of T-Bone....



 Allen in goal for Peoria seemed to have problems with his 'garters' ;-) lol. Maybe that's why he let in 4 goal all together - the 5. goal was an empty netter-so he can't be blamed for that as well ;-).

 Jake Allen checking "garters" ;-)!

The kid's excitement matches that of his parents, :-)! when a fight broke out between  big guy Peluso (Nr.23 at 6'4 and 236 pds) and Rampage Selleck (Nr. 15) a mere  6'2 and 200 pds.. as I recall Selleck acquitted himself rather well ;-)!

And that was not the only fight rampageing Selleck got into that afternoon.

Anyway, Rampage first scorer was Quinton Howden, 2nd Justin Vaive (on PP), 3. Scott Timmins, and Jon Rheault  was culpable for numbers 4 and 5. 
Jacob Markstrom. at 6ft 6 and only 195 pds a real string bean, made some spectacular saves, as Peoria tried hard to get more goals into his net, after McRae scored within seconds of the Howden goal (I blinked and the deed was done!), and Nesbitt copied him with his goal (the 2. and last for Peoria) soon after Vaive scored for Rampage. Rheault scored twice and had 1 assist. Howden scored once but had two assists as well.

Rheault Nr. 1 *

 

 Phew.. that WAS close. spectacular save by Markstrom and not his only one during this game-puck circled in blue

 

Howden Goal.. yes, Allen it did go over the line

What was a bit - shall I say - annoying, were the frequent 'promotional times' out, which struck me as rather a lot.
But ... who can complain when it rains cows in parachutes and all fans walked away with a coupon for free a chicken sandwich by one of them.. Chik filet, naturally. After 4 or more goals by the Rampage Chick Filet is generous with a free sandwich with purchase of fries! Long live fried food!

A total of 9 penalties was called, twice  they were for fighting (bad boy Selleck) concurrently with other
misdeeds , but only Vaive turned a PP into a goal for Rampage.

A pleasant surprise, well, we DID know that Casey Wellman was a trade to the Panthers and would possibly skate in SA, but with the NHL lock out his appearance was a given... so here he is in a Rampage sweater: and again  as number 17!
Anyway, it was worth the trip to SA to watch  AND get 2 coupons.. which will surely be used the next time in San Antonio ..TeeHee.

Whilst this was going on in San Antonio, the home team, the Houston Aeros, battled the Texas Stars in Austin but lost in OT  3-4...On that game do, chers readers,  visit The Third Intermission for their lucid comments.

One thing: since it sure looks 100% that NHL will resume playing the rest of the season, many of the young talent skating for all AHL teams will be absent. What that may mean for Aeros, Rampage, Stars, etc .. I cannot predict except.. it will by interesting, perhaps a bit boring, but mostly interesting. As long as one keeps one's expectations in check!

Celebrating a Birthday

Yes, this 2011/12 season is the 7th Birthday of the AHL Shootout.
Happy 7th Birthday, SO

In the 2004-05 season the shootout to settle ties in regulation games was re-instituted by the AHL And the NHL followed suit in 2005-06.
That is after a game stays tied at Overtime end of 5 minutes.
Three shooters are nominated by the each team. The starter can be from the home team or the visitor. And the SO begins after a two minute intermission and the ice has been cleared to provide a clean fresh surface down the middle.
Scoring no goal, teams continue in a "sudden death" mode.
Both teams have an equal number of shots.
The winning team receives 2 points for a regulation Win, 0 for a Loss
and 1 point for a loss in PT or SO. OtL or SoL.  1 SO point is added to the winner's seasonal stats - independently of the number of goals scored by the team in the SO.

Doesn't that remind you, chers readers, of a certain team  - LOL?

Points are not counted for the individual players stats, be they skaters or goalies and does not influence plus/minus in game stats.
Interestingly, a tied 0-0 game at the end of OT gives both goaltenders a shutout credit.
Individual SO stats are officially calculated separately.
A cool SO goal on 2/11/12

However in  Stanley Cup playoff games, the format remains unchanged. Overtime is the full 20 minute period as often as needed to break the tie, and a Shootout is not used.

And the Aeros play Milwaukee tonight!
A must listen and/or watch!
Just a new slant or is it?

Without Fontaine who was suspended for 2 games.
For more on that read Russo's Rants IF you are really that interested.
Personally, I am royally fed up with the scurrilous misuse of proper words...
go google THAT wind instrument
spelled with either 1 -more often, or 2 Gs) for more information.

Slightly befogged - Aeros Win

Early Morning Fog Over Bayou - 31.12.2011

but in a nice way.
Because..
well, because the Aeros are leaving 2011 with a win!
And are still in 3rd place in the West right after Heat.. which won last night as well, which will please KK fans!

By the enormous effort of Hackett!
Who was listed as the Nr. 2 Star between McIntyre (1) and Penner (2)
Who stopped 38 of 40 sogs thrown at him by a hyper aggressive but almost fruitlessly scurrying Rampage.
Last night at the ATT Center, to which a slew of dedicated, and ultimately very happy, fans traveled.

Well, what more can I say.
I was not there.
Aeros 5 Rampage 2.
Aeros got five goals on two goalies...
yes, Markstrom pulled for Grumet Morris.
Markstrom had a really bad 'ice day'.

While Hackett, according to the Voice of the Aeros, acrobatically managed to make save after huge save! Maybe similar to above!

Now, astute chers readers -
you will have guessed, that I am back on a freshly scrubbed,
free from insidious Trojans and viruses (or ought that be viri?) computer.

After the first day with withdrawal symptoms, lol, I did not miss it abysmally.
Really enjoyed reading BOOKS.
You know that kind that one holds and flips its pages with moist thumb :-)!
The most interesting IMO was Alan Furst's "Night Soldiers" .
Of course, I have read one or two by him before. But I felt this one was the most fascinating, yet!
How to describe it? Best I can do is borrow the name from a reviewer "Historic Espionage novel" and so it was. And rather absorbing, too.
Following its Bulgarian protagonist through training at the NKVD (KGB or whatever initials used) through the Spanish Civil War, German occupation of France to his ending up finally in the USA after 'escaping' the long reach of the NKVD, at least that is the assumption on which the novel ends.
Next in line in fascination quotient was "The Lost" by Daniel Mendelsohn, a deeply felt and researched history into the lives of "lost" relatives, interspersed with Torah excerpts. A must read for anyone who is a student of the holocaust and its effect on the generations following.
 "Snow falling on Cedars" by David Guterson, sort of a court room drama which involves events following Pearl Harbour, the Japanese internment and its long term effects of that. Only to end on a positive note. Well written and gripping, he does let the characters grow in stature, at the end.

"Tell Me Another Morning", an autobiographical novel by Zdena Berger is one of the rare books that provide some insight into the lives of women and girls during the Nazi years, and in the camps. The way the author uses the 'present tense' makes reading it even more stirring.

After that came two 'easy reads' fictions.
The less said the better.. just a few hours spent on those.
But one has to step away from the sad and horrible, just to relax!
And nothing relaxes more that a steamy romance,
or some cleverly constructed crime, fiction...no? :-), :-D!!!

So now you know, chers readers, that having only limited access to the web was rather relaxing. 
At least for me.

Ah, you say what about "News of the World"? Well  t'was sufficient to just get the biased (alas) condensed versions on the Nightly News (lol).
No real worries about 'catching up' with Tweets, FB.
I may have missed some birthdays.
Or other momentous event?
Maybe!
That a friend was "at this or that place" which by the time most of us get around to reading it, is already old news,  :-)! 
And new photos posted by friends around the world.
But never fear others will be posted - that is a given.
So a few days without the web was not devastating... after that First Day! Lol.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012!

And Once Again Aeros Loose At Home.

Saved, but how I did it?

It is getting a bit old, this loosing at home in front of a surprisingly largish crowd of 5741! Must have been the Bikinis that brought them out, eh? ;-)
This time, t'was the Texas Stars who had the upper hand. After three periods of chasing the puck around the ice, the Texas Stars and their elite few fans (who made the trek) left as winners Stars 3 Aeros 2. Which just shows that the Aeros did not go quietly into the loss. Hackett in goal had several excellent saves (one I think he might not have known how he did it, but save he did).
And then there was this - goal scored on the rebound by Texas Stars after he, Hackett, stopped the first shot on goal.

Don't wanna get up-they scored afterall

Tonight's game started with great promise...an early goal in the 1. by Rau (wow) -Penner.

BTW he was very busy as face - offer!
Since Peters who usually did the honors, was up North.
As Was Taffe, called up within an hour or so to puck drop.
Almond came up with a big surprise-he got a shorthanded goal in the 2. and that was all the goals the Aeros managed to score.

Despite some hectic activities at Beskorowany's end of the ice (as in clip above)in the last seconds and after Hackett was pulled for another skaterthe numbers are:

Desperate attempts to even the score..it was not to be....sigh!

Stars: 11-12-1=25 SoG to get 0-3-0 goals.
Aeros: 9-11-9=29 and 1-1-0 goals there.


Now if you've read my previous post.. I did wish for a short-legged black haired Bikini Beauty to become 2011/12 Miss Aeros, and it was granted.
As a matter of fact all contestants were dark haired-not a blond in sight except for Miss Aeros 2010/11 who-clever gal-wore leggings and boots to keep out the cold. That privilege was not granted to the bevy of black haired bikini gals.. they just had to shiver and smile!

To my delight this saxophone player did the Anthem in grand style and played some sweet stuff during intermission. Someone must have said let him play (not sing) the anthem, and the Stars fans will not bellow at every *STARS* in it, as they are known to do, alas.  Ha, t'was a brilliant idea!

Apropos Stars:

Nr. 1 went to Ryan Garlett for 2 goals (Stars),

Nr.  2 CHAD RAU

Nr. 3 (Stars) Labrie for the game winner.

G'Night y'all!

It was not unexpected

Abbortsford Heat burn Aeros.

Abbortsford 5 vs Aeros 3. Even a last ditch effort could not save Aeros tonight.
Another loss to a better team.
And guess what?
Former crowd pleaser Krys Kolanos almost did it again.
But had to contend himself with only 2 goals, 1 assist and two penalties, LOL.

Kolanos on the Warpath

At first I was pleasantly surprised to see an aggressive Aeros team skate out shooting 11 to the Heat's 4 one of which was an unassisted Goal Nr. 1 By KK.

Heat defense present and accounted for

Alas THAT energy level subside mightily in the second period in which 7 SoG for the Aeros got them one goal by McIntyre, Fontaine, Cuma.
Kolanos got his 2nd Goal and Nemisz number 3 of 14 SoG for .

Hackett was a busy guy that time

Third Period saw a newly energized team with 2 goals  one by Foucault, Fontaine, Genoway
and with seconds to spare another by Wellman, Taffe and Genoway. (14 Sogs)
Great reaction by fans.. on feet but alas..Rheault got an empty netter (2.goal for him)
The Heat managed only 4 SoGs in the Third.
Both teams had 2 PP goals each.

Battling for the Puck

Irving stops yet another one

Three Sticks - One Puck... 1 goal

All snapshots above by artandhockey
It was not a good night..
the Heat was too strong and aggressive, great forechecking, great blocking,
keeping it in the Aeros zone much too often.
Although some individual Aeros Players did good work:
Genoway, Foucault, Fontaine, Wellman, Rau had some marvellous steals.
Seems Peters was sorely missed at face offs, which more often than not went the Heat Way.
Good Night under a full moon:

The Canadians are coming.....

 

in the spririt of Boston's Paul Revere...

and yes, the Hamilton Bulldogs ARE coming to face the Aeros in Round 3 Game 1 tonight!

So it is fortunate that Blogger is back on line for the report with snapshots from yours truly!

GO AEROS, don't let the Dogs bite you!

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.............

Deeply regret...

to have to inform you of a loss tonight.

The Aeros lost to the Admirals at Milwaukie 3-1 in game 1 of round 2.

The honorable exception the lone goal by Gillies, O'Sullivan and Peters in the third..
Maybe the insertion of some new blood (Bulmer) or re-covered blood (Scandella) may have played havoc with the lines.
Or maybe they all got up early to witness THE WEDDING! 

Plus adding Windsor Spitfire Ryan Ellis (he assisted on one goal) fresh from the Minors to the Admirals roster did work out - tonight anyway.

From all heard via the Voice, Hackett was not quite up to it.
So, maybe flustering him by much flurried activity in front of his net,
did work to throw him off his stride, as some Bloggers suggested.

But then..maybe, perhaps, hope so....

the Aeros were just warming, and waking, up after their looong rest!

And the following games will be different!  

Yes, indeed, fellow Aeros fans.

                          Go Aeros!

    

Holtby, Holtby

what a game he had! We watched Tampa Bay vs. Capitals, and didn't it start with a bang...
Neuvirth's helmet knocked off, but he gamely played on.
Holtby (Ex Bears, too) came in and stopped all that was thrown at him,
except for the 2  in the Shoot Out.
NOW TO THE AEROS:
Soon, maybe even later today, we will learn the clear day roster.
Will it contain the last additions: or will be find more new faces on it?

Jeff Penner (injured) at 24

Lawrence also 24

and Fritsch 26,
and Morency 29? 

Sure looks like ONLY Penner (presumably a healthy Penner) and Morency are on the clear day roster.