From: Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Saturday, March 10, 2007
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

Aeros 4, Rivermen 3 (SO)
Official Box Score

HOUSTON, Texas – Peter Olvecky scored two goals in regulation and the deciding shootout goal, as the Houston Aeros defeated the Peoria Rivermen 4-3 in front of 11,678 – the third largest crowd ever at Toyota Center. Curtis Murphy added a power play goal and Dieter Kochan made 27 saves for Houston (22-32-3-6), which was 0-7-0-1 in its last eight games. The Aeros begin a five-game North Division road trip on Friday in Toronto.

Mike Glumac had a hat trick and Chris Beckford-Tseu made 27 saves for Peoria (31-22-2-5), which is winless in its last three (0-2-0-1).

Three of the top six crowds in Toyota Center history have now happened in the last two months, including two of the top three. February 17, a total of 12,021 packed Toyota Center to watch Houston top Chicago 4-1.

The Aeros got on top for just the second time in eight games with their first opening period goal in seven games – Olvecky’s seventh of the season at the 7:04 mark. Joey Tetarenko dumped the puck into the right corner, beat everyone to the puck and freed it for newcomer Aaron Voros. Voros chipped a pass to Olvecky in the right corner, and Olvecky ripped a one-timer by Beckford-Tseu.

Glumac evened things up with his 20th goal – eighth on the power play – after the Aeros had killed off a pair of lengthy 5-on-3’s. Jamie Rivers, at the right point, flipped a pass to Glumac in the left circle, and Glumac beat Kochan with a high one-timer.

Tetarenko earned a decisive victory in his third bout with Hans Benson in the last week. Tetarenko began the fight landing 15 consecutive punches to Benson, who came back to land a few at the end.

The Aeros haven’t led after one in any of their past eight games, having allowed the game’s first goal six times. Houston has been outscored 6-1 in the first period of its last six games.

Murphy’s first power play goal in 72 games, on a 5-on-3, got Houston back on top 2-1 at the 4:00 mark of the second. Erik Reitz kept the puck in the zone at the right point and fed Murphy at the left circle. Murphy walked in, got Rivers down on one knee, then fired a shot over Beckford-Tseu’s glove for his seventh goal of the season.

Olvecky deflected Reitz’ shot from the center point by Beckford Tseu for a 4-on-4 goal and a two-goal Aeros lead with 6:27 left in the second.

Glumac’s second of the night and 21st of the season got the Rivermen within 3-2 with 3:48 left in the middle period. Aeros rookie Benoit Pouliot retaliated from a cross-check by Tomas Mojzis, and with Beckford-Tseu heading off for the extra attacker, Glumac tipped the puck in the mid slot up and over Kochan.

The Rivermen got even on Glumac’s third of the night, on the power play, with just 4:56 left in regulation. Trent Whitfield set up Glumac from the right corner.

Matt Foy, just down from NHL Minnesota, scored in the third round of the shootout to tie things up after Glumac scored in round two. Olvecky, the Aeros’ final shooter, sent the screaming crowd home happy.

Houston finished 1-for-6 on the power play, while Peoria went 2-for-5.

Notes:

Not dressing for the Aeros were Shawn Belle, Josh Olson, Chris Ovington and Ben Thomson.

The largest Toyota Center crowd is 13,342 – January 16, 2004, “Roger Clemens Night.”

The Aeros are 1-9-2-1 in their last 13 March games dating back to last season.

The Aeros improved to 4-17-2-2 this season in games in which goalie Josh Harding doesn’t play. Harding remains on recall to NHL Minnesota.

Houston is 9-12-3-6 in one-goal games, and just 2-9-3-2 in its last 16 one-goal decisions. The Aeros have only two non shootout one-goal wins, the last coming 3-2 at Iowa on November 9.