The slaughter of Oct 17..

The final score board tells the story only too well

In attending many games I have yet to see one just like this one today at the TC.

The new Oklahoma City Barons came to town.

They came on the ice like a 'gusher', seemingly unstoppable.

And we thought they'd be tired, like the Aeros were after their bus trip back from OKC yesterday. 

Sure did not look like it!

Perhaps they flew into Houston in plush First Class lounge seats?

With just a minute or 2 into the first frame, the Barons scored on Matt Hackett-seen here taking advice from Anton Khudobin late in the 3.

The few fans' heads swiveled back and forth just in an attempt to keep the puck in sight. It was that speedy, and that much turnover. Just when we thought the Aeros had a chance to score, there was a Baron barring that move- and so to Check Mate!

But when it came to the Aeros Power Play - deja vu - "Passing the puck so prettily "-
by the time a complete passing game was finished, the power play scoring window had closed.

Hackett on defense

Pitton and his phalanx of defenders

And the fans were hoarse from yelling...shoot, shoot. OMG, why doesn't he shoot?

And not just once,

but several times. More work for coach Sydor?

Eerily like last season, there was great rushing about

and great clawing for the puck in corners. More work for all?

Goalie Pitton and his Men of Defense

Meanwhile The Barons ruled the ice! And just scored and scored.

Literally unable to keep track of all those penalties that were filling the boxes, on both sides - my head still aches from trying -

here is the link to the official AHLgame report

http://theahl.com/stats/game-summary.php?game_id=1007384.
The lone goals for the Aeros came late by Earl and later Kalus.

"Baron Pitton", was rather flexible, he had one penalty but also got two assists with goals... amusing that!

Bagnall bags his man!

I had just turned to Better Half with the observation "we have 3 periods without fights"! Well, no sooner said than there was a brawl, followed by more and game misconducts.... see AHL  report above for the many BIG penalties. I felt as if in a slaughter house.. Barons slaying Aeros.


Bench Brawl late in 3.



According to AHL there were over 3,ooo fans.. this is what I saw across from my seat....and it was not at the end...



Kassian in the midst of scuffle

Still shaking my head over all those penalties!

Could it be the new rules established by the 'hockey powers that are', and the referees are enforcing them, willy nilly? And at many games, not just at Aeros games, methinks! In preparation to have 2 refs per game even at the AHL level?

Best to just draw the veil over this afternoon, fans, players, goalies and coaches... just forget it ever happened and go on from here.