Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin

In an eerie deja vu kind of way.....
This afternoon I saw Prince Igor (Live from The Met) on the day the Russian Army invaded Crimea, on command of a modern day"Prince" ;-) Vladimir Putin. And the end will certainly be, as in the opera, devastation and death!

In the opera, whose plot is a bit difficult to follow, especially for non-Russian speakers (despite the excellent subtitles). In olden day's Prince Igor Syvatoslavich, bassbariton hunky Ildar Abdrazakov leaves wife Yaroslavna, soprano extraordinaire Oksana Dyka, and folks, behind in Putivl to attack the marauding Polovtsians and their Khan Konchak in the company of his son Prince Vladimir Igorevich, sung by Sergey Semishkur (video clip below). He entrusts the people and his wife to care of his brother-in-law Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich Galitzky. and acts like Mikhail Petrenko (with Semishkur in video clip)

Petrenko as Galitzky abusing Dyka as his sisterYaroslavna

Who, with his Svengali-like (in this production) musicians Skula (Vladimir Ognovenko) and Yeroshka (Andrey Popov), abducts maidens, drinks to excess,  and behaves abhorrently towards all, as well as his sister, the Princess. Proclaiming himself the proper successor to Igor is next on his agenda, but the arrival of the conquering Polovetsian hordes puts an end to that, and him!
But, by golly, we love a villain, especially if he sings and acts like Petrenko does...

he reminded my a bit of a former Aeros goalie-Anton Khudobin

 Yes, he did, a bit, at first. This is Mikhail Petrenko. So what do you think, cher reader?

The Khan (Kocan) offers a pact to Igor

Dyka and Abdrazako-in a dreamsequence?

Igor is defeated and captured with his son by the Khan, sung by Stefan Kocan, who treats him well, offering him to share the rule over all of Russia. Igor refuses and escapes with the help of baptized Polovtsian Ovlur sung by Mikhail Vekua, (I had to google this because it is not overt in the opera) to return to a Putivl, devastated by the hordes of Khan Gzak, whilst his son Vladimir stays behind with his lover. the Khan Konchak's daughter Konchakovna, mezzo Anita Rachvelishvili..

The famous Polovetsian Dances - you expected Russian and Asian costumes perhaps? - are danced by semi-naked boys and white clad maidens amidst fields of red, red poppies. This section has a dreamlike feel to it, a misty, hazy feel. But the music just asks for it (Strangers in paradise-remember?) We are confused, is it real? Or a figment of Igor's battle crazed mind? Well, whatever it is meant to be, one thing is sure.. most do love the sleek bodies of the limber dancers, and the Maiden solo was performed by Houston Opera Studio Alumna Kiri Deonarine.... brava! Dmitri Tscherniakov's direction pointed the way to a more in depth treatment of battle with the use of projections in black and white - like in silent films. Gianandrea Noseda led orchestra, huge chorus and supers beautifully! And he is NOT Russian. But then, some of Borodin's music is just so lyrically romantic. Now, I was quite enthralled with the quality of the singers, all Russian speakers, even if born in Georgia (Rachvelishvili), Ukraine (Dyka) and Slovakia (Kocan), or Bashkortostan (Abdrazakov), Kirov (Semishkur), and St. Petersburg (Petrenko). If you love deep manly voices this opera is for you. There are only 2 tenors, all others are basses, bass baritones. I, for one,  love that sound!!
And the icing on the cake:
Bass Eric Owens (another HOStudio alum) was the sonorous sounding Master of Ceremony with perfect diction! He reeled off all those names with complete ease!
Brava! Bravo!...I just like seeing/hearing our HGO studio alums.

Wild Additions- and previous fan faves

The Wild Roster as of July 2, 2011....here

Two more players have been added Charles "Chay" Genoway Defense, Canadian born Dec 20, 1986 

And

Kyle Medved born June 16, 1988 in Colorado, raised in Minnesota, who will probably skate in Houston .

(BTW Medved  - from the Russian - means bear or honey eater).  Just a bit of levity....

                                       
        Y'all now have a

                                 Happy Independence  Day

And for those loyal Khudobin fans here is some good news.

Aeros vs Rampage Win of 12/10/10
photo artandhockey

Boston Bruins have signed AK to a two year contract. Possibly as the Number One in Providence! Bravo Anton. So the rumors of him signing with KHL were unfounded.

file photo Wild

They also signed former Aeros/Wild Benoit Pouliot for one year despite his disappointing records with the Wild and Canadiens...but I do know there are still BP fans in Houston!
So you can go see him with the Bruins in Boston or Providence!

Andf those Greg Rallo (remember the Texas Stars?) fans will be happy to hear that he signed with the Florida Panthers who are now affiliated with the Rampage ....and so it goes, the Merry-go round 
by hockey players.. here today, gone there tomorrow.
It's really time consuming - but so much fun - trying to keep tabs on them! I am trying my best to keep chers readers informed -
just to pass the time during the summer doldrums - Lol.

R.I.V. 2011 and 1994

It must be something in the air/water in Vancouver
because it is NOT the first time riots follow a lost game.
(all videos and photos from various sources)

In 1994, after the Rangers won over the Canucks, a riot broke out:

AND 2011 A REPEAT after Boston Bruins win the Cup

ON the road, in Game 7 with a Shut out 4-0 win, yet!

But go back a little further and you find another riot in 1907 (Anti-Asian), and one at the G8/G2 summit and the pre-Olympic one in 2010. 

A few other quick mentions:   Rookie Marchand gets 2 goals in game 7.
A slightly injured (split lip?) Bergeron also gets 2 goals in game 7.
Dennis Seidenberg, is only the second German player after Uwe Krupp (no idea if related to those industry Krupps?) to get a Stanley Cup win.


And the hero of these games: USA born TIM THOMAS,

at 38 the oldest goalie, stops 238 shots  for a .967 % average, and carries off the Conn Smythe Trophy!

Guess what, if you look closely in the video clip you can see a guy with cute dimples hugging or being hugged ecstatically... yep, former aeros Goalie Anton Khudobin, who served as second BUG and with Nr. 35 after Tuuka Rask during the play offs.


AK in Providence

What a hoot: the Wilde trade AK for the Penner, and - wishful thinking maybe - a future skater, the Finn Lehtonen. AND HERE IS AK as part of the STANLEY CUP Champions 2011! WOW!

No wonder he's all dimples LOL! 



And now hockey IS history for the next couple months.

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!

'Welman' back, Aeros

T'was the night of the come back.
Aeros leave Stars less brightly shining.
In the first period the Stars, by Wathier, slammed one past Anton Khudobin. Moaning by fans started,  quickly extinguished when Prosser with Buck and Scandella evened the sore. Later followed by a goal by DiSalvatore with O'Sullivan and Rau.


McMillan vs Tousignant



Kassian vs Gazdic



A fight broke out between

arch enemies MacMillan and Tousignant,

And shortly thereafter Kassian went fist to fist with Gazdic..and skated to the box pumping his victory fists! (remember Love?).

In the Second, Texas came back with a goal by Gazdic. 

Despite having 7 PP opportunities Aeros managed only 2 conversions into goals, in the 1. and  in OT, later more on that!

Missed that one, sorry guys!

Kinda seemed to me that the Aeros went flagging a bit in the second, they had 14 SOGs in 1. only 11 in  2. but ratcheted it back up with16 in 3.

While the Stars faded visibly from 13 to 6 with a brief flare of 17 in 2

Nevertheless it was an exciting game.

Both Goalies made good to great saves.

A defense was present.

And the offense was pushing.

And another fight broke up the rapid flow - Lukowich vs Noreau at the end of the 2.

And with  Aeros 3 :  Stars 3 we went into OT.

At only 29 seconds into OT, Casey Wellman, he of the Hat trick earlier in the season,

slammed home the winning puck..with a little help from O'Sullivan and Noreau.

And so the Aeros left the field victorious, as they have done several times vs the Stars!

Khudobin really heated up his saves...33 out of 36.

Bachmann was not far behind in save percentage.

HE stopped 39 of 43.

I guess, opponents have O'Sullivans number!

He seemed to be the prey of many a Star.

They squeezed him at the glass.They boxed him in!

And yet, he had 3 assists.

Looks to me the combo O'Sullivan, DiSalvatore,  now again Wellman, and/or Noreau is working  rather well. McMillan showed some talent in getting face offs, as did Rau.

So having Peters called up North did not really leave that big hole.

Kalus did a reasonable imitation of an avalanche "get out of my way or else" ,

As did DiSalvatore-battling for space in front, ready to score!

Buck is looking real good, he almost had a goal. He gained confidence in chasing after the puck,

passed well. He forechecked effectively as did Gillies. 

Earl did OK, not great, but OK as did Daoust. And others.

Anyway, it was a joy to behold an inspired-fired up (those 20 minutes or more seclusion after the last miseerable loss must have done it!) team of skaters and scorers. 

2 PP goals in one night for the Aeros, almost a miracle. 

Although the Stars also had one, with fewer PP opportunites, I may add!

3 Stars - natch all Aeros this time :

1. Wellman, 2. DiSalvatore, 3. O'Sullivan

A typical Anton save

Bachman in prayer?

Penalty Killers right?

Bachman is ready!

Wonder what Bucky is saying to Anton? Hmm?

 I think I know what the linesman is: "Enough with the chat, guys, let's play hockey"

The Stars caught an Earl ?

Hey Bach.. got that one in a clinch! He'll be no good now!

Aeros Goal Nr. 3

Somewhere in the bottom of the heap IS our goalie!

Kalus in motion

O'Sullivan in place

They have his Number - don't let him get away or he'll score again!



Wellman at the draw!



If you don't get out of my way, I'll kick you out of my way-gotta score!

Action behind Anton in 1.

Bachy, my how you can stretch, says Jordie!

Everything you can do I can do better..!

Ecstatic Fans

Ok, now you know how I did it! Am off to whoop it up!

Intermission feature-duck or catch a ball & get some golf!

                             And there you have a few photos of tonight's action, all by artandhockey

      Good Night y'all. Be sure to listen and watch Aeros in Oklahoma. And again, see you on Sunday.

Aeros "firing with" all Goalies

After another monstrous win over the Lake Erie Monsters, in front of their home crowd of 11,000 plus,
Aeros are now tied in first with Admirals! See numbers below.

Congrats Aeros!

Although Aeros and Wolves have played the most games already.

Who'd a thunk that last October?
I am sure, I did not. I admit it!
And so did many others, even those on press row!

And don't be fooled by their protestations "I predicted a successful reason" - NOW!
But hey, what's past is past and the future does looks  rosy, indeed!



Earl with Daoust and Falk, and Peters with the Di Salvatore-O'Sullivan combo,
scored the two goals in first and second periods respectively.
Anton Khudobin stopped more shots, than John Grahame of the LEM.

1 Milwaukee Admirals 45 24 13 2 6 56 0.622 117 113 0-1-0-2 5-3-0-2 5-6 567

2 Houston Aeros 48 26 18 1 3 56 0.583 125 127 6-0-0-1 8-1-0-1 6-3 771

3 Peoria Rivermen 44 26 15 2 1 55 0.625 123 108 0-2-0-0 5-5-0-0 2-1 961
4 San Antonio Rampage 46 27 18 1 0 55 0.598 147 133 2-0-0-0 4-6-0-0 4-0 710

5 Oklahoma City Barons 46 24 16 2 4 54 0.587 153 135 2-0-0-0 6-3-1-0 3-4 822

6 Texas Stars 44 24 15 3 2 53 0 .602 123 116 1-0-0-0 5-4-1-0 4-2 532
7 Chicago Wolves 48 24 19 2 3 53 0.552 156 157 3-0-0-0 5-3-0-2 3-3 842

8 Rockford IceHogs 42 19 18 1 4 43 0.512 110 121 0-2-0-0 5-5-0-0 3-4 833

Just thought I'd post this as a reminder..miracles DO happen!




I CAN'T HELP IT
I have to repost the awesome Hackett   "catch a butterfly" save from the other night..
BIG thanks to MsConduct. Of  TheThirdIntermission..

More Pics from 21. 1.2011.

Almost a team scuffle?

First Period -Save By Bachman

First Period: Save by Hackett

Second Period -Another Save by Hackett



Weary ? Bachman watches equally weary Star defender tangling with Earl




Khudobin patting Hackett On helmet-well done my boyo!