From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007

AEROS FALL 3-2 IN IOWA IN FIRST OF BACK-TO-BACK ROAD GAMES

Des Moines, Iowa – The Houston Aeros (8-9-1-1) give up two power-play goals and only draw three penalties in a 3-2 loss to the Iowa Stars (10-10-1-0) in front of 2,109 fans in Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday night. The Aeros will travel to Rockford tonight for the 7:05 p.m. contest tomorrow.

Box Score

Aeros' RW Petr Kalus and C Troy Riddle marked the Aeros goals and RW Milan Gajic marked one assist for an assist streak of two in two games. Iowa RW Marius Holtet tallied two power-play assists to lead the Stars in points and D Bryce Lampman netted the game-winning goal. Houston net-minder Barry Brust (5-6-1) stopped 22 of 25 shots on net in the loss as Tobias Stephan (6-4-0) of Iowa knocked aside 24 of 26 shots for the victory.

The game was held scoreless over halfway through the first period until the Stars got on the scoreboard on a LW Janos Vas goal at 11:24 for the 1-0 lead. Holtet and C Perttu Lindgren marked the assists. Not to be outdone, the Aeros’ RW Petr Kalus came right back netting the tieing marker only 53 seconds later at 12:17 in the first session. Gajic earned the lone assist, his second in as many games. With 15 seconds left in the period Riddle put in the go-ahead goal taking a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Both goalies and defenses had some great plays as the second frame was held scoreless for 19:59 of the period. With one-tenth of a second left on the clock LW James Neal snuck the puck beneath Brust’s pads to tie the game at two heading into the second break. Former Aero RW Junior Lessard and Holtet marked the assists on the Iowa goal.

A mere 26.1 seconds after their last goal, Iowa intercepted a pass and Lampman slapped the puck past Brust’s stick side for a 3-2 lead that would hold. The Aeros pulled Brust late in the game and with one last try, Riddle blasted an open shot on net but didn’t slip past Stephan and Iowa cleared the puck in the last seconds for the 3-2 win. Houston marked only three shots during the period in the loss.

Tune in to Jason Shaver Wednesday night as the Aeros take on the Rockford IceHogs at 7:05 p.m. Houston returns home Friday night to take on the Peoria Rivermen at 7:35 p.m..

Friday and Saturday are the first two dates for Houston Aeros Charities Toy Drive. The collection will take place at the charities table between sections 111 and 112. All those toys will be donated to the Houston Aeros Power Playroom at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. Saturday is also Houston Aeros Charities Teddy Bear Toss. All the stuffed animals brought will be tossed onto the ice immediately following the first Aeros goal and donated to KHOU's Spirit of Texas Toy Drive.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --