Can you hear Brunhilde Warming Up?

Ok, the time has come to introduce the smelly elephant in the room, the Chicago Wolves were beaten by the Milwaukee Admirals last night 3:2. Ending their mathematical chances at the playoffs the this season. Atlanta had chimed in earlier in the day calling goalie Ondrej Pavelec to Atlanta leaving Wolves with Brett Khran and Dan Turple. Now, that hurts, when the parent club takes it's crown jewel and run to play spoiler in the NHL since it's own playoff chances are over. So sad, too bad for the Wolves who started out well this season raising fans hopes with their new coach then struggling in December, flaming out in January then nose diving in February. Then calling it in for the rest of the season. A few stand out players did on a regular basis attempt to play with heart and stood out like sore thumbs. Chad Denny, Captain Jamie Rivers, Joey Crabb, Spencer Machacek gave and never stopped giving to their team, bravo to all of them! Steve Martin played well most nights but also fell into the the funk affecting the team on occasion.

Now that the math has been done the collective belly aching and predictable calling for Coach Granato's head has begun. Wolves fans are accustomed to playoffs yearly and a season that ends before the middle of May is practically unheard of for Wolves faithful. Well this year if those of us who are the usual residents of of the Allstate Arena wish to see playoff hockey we will have to travel to see it. Making the trek to the lovely Bradley center in Milwaukee, Rockford with it's world class hockey fans, or Peoria celebrating their first time in the playoffs since joining the AHL. It will be great hockey, enjoyable but not quite the same thrill as watching the home team win.

Whether or not there is a wholesale carnage in the Wolves locker room is a decision which will be made by persons with more experience and hockey smarts than I. However, Coach Granato does seem to have one policy that looks like it is producing a toxic residue. As many of us in the stands have noticed every time a a player has entered into a fight that has garnered penalty minutes that player is benched for several games afterward. This policy has hit enforcer Mike Hoffman especially hard, to penalize a player for enforcing the code just poisons the ice. If Granato wants to bench a player for stupid penalties he should start with Brett Sterling and his always ill timed hooking calls. Although I am in no way a supporter of gladiator style hockey the surgical style of a true enforcer is something I see the necessity of and respect in the North American game.

What I do know is that many of us are going to make serious decisions regarding season ticket packages on the basis of those front office decisions in the coming weeks and months . Every off season is an interesting time to study team personality and politics. This off season is going to be absolutely fascinating for those of us who watch the Wolves.

Spoiler Alert! Iowa Chops take 2 points, Beat Chicago 2:1

Last night at the Allstate in a close hard fought game the Iowa Chops defeated the Chicago Wolves 2:1 making the role of spoiler far more likely for the newly christened Chops. As of last nights games the standings are Milwaukee still running away with first place, 89 points, Houston with 73, Hogs 70, Chicago 69 and the Rivermen in fourth with 68. All these teams have crowded schedules this weekend, come Monday morning the picture could look quite different for one or more of these organizations.

The game it's self was fast paced with referee Terry Koharasky calling a minimum of penalties for each side. Several times during the night both goalies were joined in the net by several players of each uniform yet only once was goalie interference called. Iowa goals were scored at 16:23 By Brendan Michaelson, and at 10:44 in the third by Ryan Dingle with an assist by ex wolf Chad Pinchaud. The sole Wolves goal notched during the second period was scored by Riley Holzapfel , Alex Brooks and Joe Moztko were credited with assists and a pretty thing it was too. Chops nettie David LeNeveau never had a chance to stop that bullet.

In the revolving door Chad Denny and Tomas Popsil has been riding the Georgia shuttle in the last week with both listed as healthy scratches last night. Brett Sterling is back and skating well after being out with a reported injured hand and Stevie Martins is also being iced. Welcome back guys.

Here are some images of the game.





Powderhornhockey

Aeros Shoot down Wolves 6:3

Last night the Houston Aeros did it again, or shall I say the Wolves did it again. Lost to the Houston Aeros and dug themselves deeper into the standings. Much like a novice driver facing his first snow storm, spinning wheels with a bad PP and a poor PK. Guys, guys get a grip, vets show some passion and defense please stop making Ondrej Pavlec the loneliest man in town. Defence is a three man line, two blue liners and a goalie, please don't make me repeat my self a third time. Pavelec may be a touch slow side to side since his injury but being hung out to dry is costing the Wolves points they can't afford to loose.

On the positive side, the kids look good and are playing with fire, Joey Crabb is probably making Atlanta wonder why they sent him down to Chicago. Four points on Saturday, one last night and he showed no mercy to Kurtis Foster skating for Houston on a conditioning assignment from the Minnesota Wild. Crabb landed the hardest hit of the night on the ex-Wolf, considering Foster is easily a foot taller than Crabb he probably was impressed as he picked himself off of the ice. Welcome home Kurtis, you have been missed Big Man. Chad Denny, the kid is finishing his checks consistently and taking the opposition out of play. Mike Hamilton, Spencer Machacek and Rylan Kaip all are looking good too. There is enough here to still see the glass half full Candide, but March approaches and the playoff run in earnest. Milwaukee is running away and the middle is getting tighter. No room for mistakes or slumps now, there will be plenty of time to think about those on the golf course in May.

Time to get serious boys.





Powderhornhockey

Peoria Rivermen go down for the first time at the Allstate

Last night the Peoria Rivermen lost to the Chicago Wolves for the first time this season 5:1. Most notably Joey Crabb recently returning from assignment in Atlanta scored a hat trick plus an assist for good measure. Not bad for a guy adjusting to the temperature change from sunny Atlanta.

As always here some images of the game:



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