From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
January 11, 2008

AEROS AVENGE EARLIER LOSS IN 3-1 WIN OVER SAN ANTONIO

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros won their third straight game Friday night 3-1 over the San Antonio Rampage at the AT&T Center. Goaltender Nolan Schaefer stopped 31 of 32 shots for Houston (21-15-1-2) in his 16th win of the season and right wing Danny Irmen scored an unassisted game-winning goal in the second period to lift Houston over the Rampage (20-12-2-3).

Box Score

There is now a three-way tie for third place in the West Division. Houston tied the Rampage and Peoria defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins to give all three teams 45 points. Six teams are now within five points of each other in the very competitive West Division.  Houston has a chance to separate themselves from the pack tomorrow night against the Manitoba Moose starting at 7:35 p.m. at Toyota Center.  Tickets are still available for the game by calling (713) 974-PUCK.

Houston came to San Antonio with much more energy than their last game at AT&T Center (12/29) in which the team travelled day of game and lost to the Rampage 6-1. The teams skated to a scoreless first period due in large part to the play of the goaltenders. Nolan Schaefer and David LeNeveu each had a couple big saves in the opening period to keep it scoreless.

Houston earned a power play in the early going of the second period on an elbowing penalty to Josh Gratton. Aeros’ defenseman Erik Reitz blasted a slap shot from the point that LeNeveu handled but he couldn’t control the rebound as Ryan Hamilton gathered the puck and Maxim Noreau banged it home for his fifth goal of the season.

Schaefer continued with the same play that awarded him a roster spot in the all-star game. He stopped 20 of the first 21 shots he faced through two periods and finally gave up a goal at the 9:22 mark of the second period to Chris Durno to end his shutout streak at 151:36.

Aeros’ right wing Danny Irmen single handedly gave the Aeros the lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Irmen, while on the fore check, blocked a pass at the San Antonio blue line, skated in on LeNeveu with a defensemen on his back and wristed a shot through the five hole to give the Aeros a 2-1 lead.

Schaefer continued to backstop the Aeros defense in the final period. He stopped all 11 shots he faced and has now stopped 73 of 74 shots in the last three games for the Aeros. Joel Ward added the insurance goal with an empty netter with 40 seconds remaining in the contest to give the Aeros their third straight win.

Notes:
- Goaltender Nolan Schaefer’s shutout streak ended at 151:36. It marked the second longest such streak this season for Schaefer who had a streak of 160:19 in December.
- The Aeros begin a seven-game homestand tomorrow night against the Manitoba Moose at 7:35 p.m. at Toyota Center. Houston has points in 12 of their last 13 games at home going 11-1-0-1.


-- HOUSTON AEROS --