Last Updated on Sunday, 27 May 2012 18:31
By Andrew Vitalis
Let’s Play Hockey Columnist
Eighty-nine body pounding games. Months on the road, staying in hotels, riding on buses. Add it all up and it equates to nearly nine full months of hockey without a break. Just thinking about it at times can be exhausting, but even so, if former Gopher and St. Paul resident Danny Irmen had his choice, he’d still be playing. Eight more games (at the most) are all he wanted.
“It was a great experience,” smiled Irmen, referring to the AHL playoffs. “I wish we were still playing.”
Playing for the Houston Aeros of the AHL, Irmen’s season came to a close in late May after Houston fell to Manitoba in the Western Conference final four games to two. Currently, Manitoba and Hershey are battling for the AHL championship.
“It was really special going to the conference finals. The two series’ before that went to seven games. It was awesome to experience two game sevens,” commented Irmen. “In the conference finals, we went down 3-0 in games two and three and we ended up losing both. I think if we would have been able to prevent that from happening, maybe we could have won one of those games and forced another game seven, then who knows.”
Houston teammate and Roseau, Minn., native Bryan Lundbohm can’t help thinking the same thing.
“I truly believe, if we were more rested, we would have had a real good chance of beating Manitoba,” said Lundbohm, an eight-year pro. “We lost a couple of one-goal games early and in game six, we just ran out of steam. That’s not to take anything away from Manitoba, they’re a great team, but I think we hit our stride at the right time. It would have been nice to keep it going, it was really a great run.”
It certainly was. Houston found themselves in the middle of the pack during the regular season. Although always in the hunt, the Aeros struggled with consistency from time to time, following up a winning streak with a losing streak, or vice versa. That lack of consistency made Houston an underdog according to most “experts” heading into the playoffs. As the saying goes, that’s why they play the game.
“We did have some ups and downs during the season. I think a lot of that had to do with 15 three-and-threes (three games in three nights), a lot of long road trips,” replied Lundbohm. “I think looking back on it though, that put the team through a lot of adversity early on and we found ourselves playing our best hockey at the end of the year. We went through a lot.”
“I think we played a playoff style of hockey all year,” added Irmen. “The entire season we stressed the little things like blocking shots, finishing checks, playing solid defense, stuff like that. In the playoffs, that’s how you need to play. We didn’t really need to adjust much once the playoffs started, we had already found our groove as a team”
That groove helped Houston sneak by Peoria in the first round, four games to three. During that series, two of the Aeros’ four games were won by one goal. In addition, from games two through seven, Houston flexed their defensive muscle by allowing less than two goals per game. From there, the Aeros locked horns with powerhouse Milwaukee in the semifinals. The Admirals were the favorite, and for good reason. Not only did they finish first in the West Division during the regular season with 107 points (Houston registered 87 points), but they were also coming off a round one sweep of Rockford, out-scoring them 13-4.
The Aeros weren’t interested in predictions, or numbers. Houston jumped all over Milwaukee by winning three of the first four games. Once again, the Aeros made their mark on defense, silencing the Admirals offense, holding them to just over one goal per game. However, Houston experienced a few hiccups in games five and six. After losing game five 4-3, Milwaukee cruised to an easy win in game six, 7-0, setting up a second consecutive game seven for the Aeros. Like in round one, Houston responded by eliminating the Admirals 5-2, punching their ticket to the conference finals.
“Playing in a game where you’re sitting in the locker room tightening your skates, you know if you lose, your season is over, that’s what it’s all about,” stated Lundbohm.
“Feeling those butterflies and that nervous feeling, that’s what you live for, that’s what you play for. Being a part of that experience makes all those long roads trips during the season worth it. Our team did a great job scouting teams all year so when it came time to play them, we already knew what they were going to try and do. Playing in those types of games makes all that hard work worth it, that’s what it’s all about.”
Unfortunately for Houston, one drawback of back-to-back game sevens is fatigue, which played a role in the conference finals. After falling behind quickly three games to none against Manitoba, Houston battled back by taking games four and five (double overtime), coming within one game of evening the series. In game six, playing on fumes, the Aeros playoff push finally came to an end with a 3-1 loss.
“Obviously I wish we could have kept on playing, but we were one of the final four teams still playing. Everyone knows how good the AHL is. To go out there and play that way on that type of stage, games where you know people from your organization and members of other organizations are in the stands watching, that type of exposure is huge for everyone on the team,” remarked Irmen.
For an organization who is in the midst of change – huge indeed. Make no mistake; the players are aware that the new-look Minnesota Wild will skate into next season with a new GM and new head coach. What better way to start the auditions than playoff hockey? Both Irmen and Lundbohm feel they represented themselves well.
“I think you just need to be prepared for whatever happens, be flexible. As a player, all you can really do is go out there and play and hope and you play well,” remarked Irmen. “I think I played well. I think I played the role they wanted me to play. Offensively, I wish I could have contributed more, that’s frustrating, but I think I played the way they (the organization) wanted me to. Our penalty kill was at its best in the playoffs and I play there a lot. That’s certainly something I was proud of.”
Lundbohm, who also spent time on the Houston penalty kill, agrees that being able to show flexibility is critical, especially now.
“You try not to get too caught up in it, all you can really do is go out there and play your game,” stated Lundbohm. “In college, I was fortunate enough to play with some great players and I got a lot of time where I was put in a scoring position. At the time my role was more of a scorer. Since being in the pros, I’ve kind of been penciled in as being someone who is reliable on defense. That’s a role I really enjoy doing. Even though I know I can still score as well, teams expect me to play my role and that’s what I’ve tried to do. Bottom line is I still want to play for this organization and if they want to play a certain role, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Now it becomes a waiting game. As the questions continue to swirl outside of the organization about where the Wild are going to go next, players within the organization patiently wait as well. At least they try to be patient.
“It’s a little frustrating. I’m already getting offers from Europe. I’ve always had one-year contracts, and with a wife and two kids, that makes it a little tough,” explained Lundbohm. “If you think about it though, the GM still needs to select his coach, then you have to get your coaching staff. From there you have the draft and you have to address the players who are playing for the NHL club. You definitely get put on the back burner for a while. Players in my position are probably sixth in line so it’s tough. You just hope that whoever gets the job is familiar with me and familiar with what I do. I want to stay here. I think the Wild organization is one of the best out there. I’m just going to try and enjoy my off time and hope everything works out.”
He’s definitely not alone.
“Be ready for whatever happens,” added Irmen. “I’m a little nervous, but it’s a good nervous. I think it’s more of an excited nervousness.”
No need to explain Danny, the Team of 18,000 is feeling the same thing.
