From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Sunday, November 04, 2007

AEROS DEFEAT LAKE ERIE 2-1 IN THE SHOOTOUT

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros defeated the Lake Erie Monsters 2-1 by netting two goals in the shootout in front of 3,335 fans at Toyota Center Sunday night. This marks the Aeros' (4-5-1-0) second win in as many shootout games this season.

Houston’s RW Petr Kalus scored the only regulation goal for the Aeros as RW Cal Clutterbuck and RW Danny Irmen marked the assists. RW Aaron Voros netted the shootout-winning marker as the last man shooting. Lake Erie’s (2-8-0-0) lone goal was netted by RW David Jones. Aeros’ G Nolan Schaefer stopped 25 of 26 shots plus four of five in the shootout for the win. Monster’s G Tyler Weiman stopped 21 of 22 shots and three of five in the shootout for his second loss against Houston. Lake Erie finished 1 for 10 on the power-play and Houston went 0 for 6.

Official Box Score

The Aeros finished the first period going 0 for 4 on power-play chances including a couple of 5 on 3 chances. Lake Erie also couldn’t capitalize on a pair of power-plays during the period. With no time left on the clock Clutterbuck was called for charging to provide the Monsters a power-play for the first two minutes of the second session as the teams took to the locker rooms with no score.

The Aeros barely killed off the Clutterbuck penalty before Kalus netted the first goal of the day at 2:26 into the second period, his second goal in two nights. Clutterbuck and Irmen earned the assists on the goal. Lake Erie answered back with Jones netting a power-play marker at 6:30 in the second period, D Mike Vernace and LW Eric Healey marked the assists. To this point the Aeros have killed off five of the six Monster power-plays. This ended the scoring for the period as the Aeros were 0-5 on the man-advantage and Lake Erie was 1-6 heading into the second break.

The third period was kept scoreless as each goalie made some fantastic saves. Each team also boosted their penalty-kill percentages as the clubs burned off all eight penalties in the period, five for the Aeros and three for Lake Erie. This marks the third game this season the Aeros went into an extra session, losing to Iowa 4-3 in overtime and defeating San Antonio on the road in a 6-5 shootout.

The teams went back and forth in overtime with only three total shots on goal, two for Lake Erie, the game went to the shootout for the second time this season for the Aeros. The Monsters started the shootout with Healey putting one between the legs of Schaefer. After going block-for-block Houston’s D Shawn Belle lifted the puck over Weiman’s stick hand to tie the shootout at one a piece. Two Aeros shooters later, Voros followed Belle’s successful try by netting the shootout-winning goal over the stick hand for the 2-1 Aeros victory.

Game Notes
• Petr Kalus’s goal put him on his first two-game goal scoring streak having netted one goal Friday night as well
• Aaron Voros netted the shootout-winning goal
• Nolan Schaefer earned the win in his first start since returning from his call-up to Minnesota
• Houston has allowed at least one power-play goal in each game this season

The Aeros take to the road for the next two games, Thursday night in Milwaukee at 7:00 p.m. and Quad City at 7:05 p.m. Friday night. Houston returns home Saturday night to face the Worcester Sharks at 7:35 p.m. Saturday is the Mini Helmet giveaway night, so don’t miss out on the free swag and get your tickets online or by calling 713.974.PUCK!

-- HOUSTON AEROS --