From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Saturday, January 12, 2008

HOUSTON, Texas – Goaltender Barry Brust stopped 38 of 39 shots for the Houston Aeros in a 4-1 win over the Manitoba Moose Saturday night at Toyota Center. Houston jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period and Brust stopped a barrage of shots in the final two periods to keep the Aeros (22-15-1-2) in third place in the West Division. Jason Jaffray scored the only goal for the Moose (21-14-2-1) who will travel to San Antonio on Sunday to take on the Rampage.

Box Score

Peter Olvecky had a goal and an assist for the Aeros and Cal Clutterbuck tallied two assists for the first multiple point game of his career. Houston is tied with Peoria for third place in the West Division with 47 points and they will not play again until Friday, January 18 against the Toronto Marlies at Toyota Center. The Aeros will give the first 3,000 fans a puck commemorating the Compaq Center in their second puck giveaway of three scheduled for the season. Tickets and special packages are available by calling (713) 974-PUCK.

The Aeros controlled the first period and Olvecky tallied the game’s first goal as he tipped in a shot from defenseman Jon Awe at 5:42 in the first. Center Serge Payer also assisted on the power-play goal for the early lead. At 12:02 in the same period left wing Ryan Hamilton netted an even strength goal. Defenseman Brandon Rogers and Clutterbuck earned the assists. Center Steve Kelly netted his tenth goal of the season at 16:18 in the period to become the Aeros first player to reach the ten-goal mark. Olvecky and right wing Petr Kalus earned the assists to finish the scoring for the period, taking a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

The scoring let up in the second period as Manitoba’s left winger Jason Jaffray netted the Moose’s first goal at 5:51. Manitoba was on a two-man advantage at the time of the goal. Center Brad Moran and defenseman Jimmy Sharrow assisted on the power-play marker. Houston was out-shot 15-3 in the period. The Moose converted on one of five power-play opportunities as Houston failed to score on their one chance in the period.

Benoit Pouliot scored the lone goal of the third period on a near breakaway. Pouliot took a feed from Clutterbuck and streaked down the right wing with a defenseman on his hip. He lifted the puck with his forehand into a very small window over the shoulder of Moose goaltender Cory Schneider. Paul Albers also earned an assist on the play.

Houston was outshot 39-20 in the game and killed seven of eight power plays. They finished with one power play goal on five chances. The game was the Aeros 40th of the season marking the halfway point.

Notes:
- The three Aeros’ goals in the first period is the second time this season they have netted that many in the opening session. The first was on October 19 at San Antonio for a 6-5 shootout win for Houston.
- Steve Kelly became the first Aero to reach double-digit goals. Houston is the last team in the AHL this season to have a 10+ goal scorer.
- The Aeros won their seventh straight game over the Moose and completed a season sweep for the season. Houston is 9-2-0-1 against the Moose in the last three seasons.


-- HOUSTON AEROS --