HOUSTON AEROS DROP OPENER 4-2 TO CHICAGO

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL) lost the opening night contest 4-2 to the Chicago Wolves at Toyota Center in front of 8,418 fans. The Chicago Wolves jumped out to a fast start scoring three unanswered-goals in the first period and never relinquished the lead.

Chicago’s RW Jesse Schultz and C Steve Martins led all skaters with three points (one goal, two assists) each, both with power-play goals. Houston was led by D Erik Reitz with two points (one goal, one assist), the Aeros second goal was notched by RW Cal Clutterbuck for his first goal in his professional career.

Houston G Nolan Schaefer stopped 32 of 36 shots in the loss as Chicago’s Ondrej Pavelec picked up the win with 21 of 23 shots blocked. The Wolves went 2-for-6 on the power-play and the Aeros were 1-of-8 on the man-advantage.

The Wolves began the game by Schultz scoring a power-play goal at 1:10 in the first period. Chicago C Jason Krog tallied the second marker at 10:05 during the opening period. RW Darren Haydar and D Grant Lewis assisted on the Krog goal. The Wolves finished the first period scoring with the team’s second power-play marker, the eventual game-winner, by Martins at 15:42 taking a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

Schaefer stopped all 12 of Chicago’s second period shots on net to provide an opportunity for the Aeros to make a comeback. Houston’s RW Cal Clutterbuck netted the team’s first goal of the season on a power-play at 13:55 in the period. Reitz and C Serge Payer assisted on the specials teams’ marker as the Aeros took to the locker room down 3-1 for the second intermission.

Houston came back early in the third period as Reitz netted an even-strength goal bringing the Aeros to within one at 2:11 into the final period. LW Ryan Hamilton and RW Danny Irmen added the helpers for the Aeros final goal of the night. Chicago’s D Brian Fahey added an insurance goal at 9:31 in the period with helpers from Martins and Schultz. Chicago held off a couple late pushes by the Aeros, winning the contest 4-2 on opening night.

Listen to Jason Shaver live on KNTH 1070 AM as the Aeros visit the Iowa Stars next Friday night at 7:07 p.m. Houston returns home to face off against the Peoria Rivermen at 7:35 p.m. next Saturday, October 13 here at Toyota Center. Tickets are still available so click here to get yours!