Aeros v. Rockford Ice Hawgs - Game 30

So, I watched the game but am feeling a little under the (blessedly cool) weather today and don't feel like writing much.

I'll keep it brief:

I'm still frustrated by Madsen. I feel like with 15% more effort, he could be making plays that change momentum. The finesse and talent and size are there but something else isn't. Oh but that jersey tuck is still there. *sigh* What's up, Morty?

But really, that's the only negative I've got. Brusty earned every bit of that #1 star. The defense was fantastic. I continue to be so pleased with Scotty's game. And Alby had this fantastic sequence that was just ALL him: First he blocked a hard shot on goal, then picked up the puck behind the net, patiently deked around an attacker in the slot, and headmanned it right to an Aeros forward up at the offensive blue line, who went right in for a shot on goal. Gorgeous bit of clear-headed, confident defense there. Nicely done.

Oh, and speaking of nice plays, I had a "Who the hell is that?" moment when Kassian picked one of the Hogs' pockets in the neutral zone and wheeled around for a nice shot on goal. I wasn't listening to the audio, so I had to rewind 3 times before I figured out it was Kass. Really sweet play there.

Both Aeros goals were on the PP and, as of this writing, the Aeros are 12th in the league in goals with the man advantage, which seems to be even better on the road for some reason (9th in the league). While I'm digging in the stats, the Aeros are 5th on the PK right. Get this though: they're 17th on the PK at home and 4th on the road. WTF? How is that possible?

The first goal, by Mojzis, was a shot straight up the slot from the blue line. Rosa was screening the goalie and it just went right through traffic to the back of the net, completely untouched. The second goal was on a nice shot from the circle by Olvecky (!) that Rosa (!) tipped in.

It's actually kinda funny to look at the score sheet and the Aeros' line that was on the ice for all three goals of the night:
4 10 16 28 40 (Mojzis goal)
7 10 16 28 40 (Rosa goal)
4 10 16 28 40 (Ice Hog goal)

Looks like KC played the same 4-6 guys all night. But this is how this team has to work to be successful, especially with call-ups, injuries, etc. Guys like Olvecky and Rosa have to "bring the noise" at times. And they're doing it.

Couple of fights, one between Love and Brennan in which not a single punch was thrown, and one between Falk and Skille in which Falker held his own but certainly didn't win. Finally, double roughing minors were handed to Mojzis and Brophey for, um, laying on each other behind the net. Seriously boys... get a room next time.

Looks like the scratches were both Hamiltons and Lundbohm. Guess M. Hamilton is injured.

Phew! 4:51 p.m. Finished just in time for today's game. These 3-in-3s are hard on everyone.

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Russo had a little write-up on Cal from the St. Louis game. And Elise at 18,568 Reasons Why has the tale of the tape. Nice stuff, E.

And I've lost count of how many people I want to thump between the eyes for second guessing Cal because he lost that fight. Please. The Wild are imploding and this is the guy you're gonna pick apart because he did his job and then backed it up :47 into a shift? Please!