From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Monday, January 28, 2008

HOUSTON AEROS WEEKLY UPDATE: JANUARY 28

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros (22-18-2-2) dropped two contests this past weekend, both against San Antonio. Friday the Aeros lost 3-1 and Saturday by a score of 3-2. This weekend Houston looks to bounce back and will feature another pair of Friday/Saturday contests but this time against the Quad City Flames. The Aeros currently stand at seventh in the tight West Division only one point back from the Flames.

FRI vs. QCY, 7:35 p.m., SAT vs. QCY, 7:35 p.m.

Friday and Saturday
The Flames come to Houston for the first time in team history. The teams split the first two games in the Quad Cities, the Flames winning the first game 1-4 while the Aeros took a shootout win 4-3 in late December. The first 3,000 fans entering Toyota Center for Friday’s game will receive the 2007-08 addition of the Player Trading Cards. Don’t miss out on either game against the West Division rival who currently stands only one point ahead of the Aeros. Get your tickets today by calling 713.974.PUCK or online at Aeros.com.

Practice Schedule
22-Jan-08, Tuesday, OFF
23-Jan-08, Wednesday, SLICE 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
24-Jan-08, Thursday, SLICE 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
25-Jan-08, Friday, Game vs. Quad City, 7:35 p.m.
26-Jan-08, Saturday, Game vs. Quad City, 7:35 p.m.
27-Jan-08, Sunday, OFF

Aeros Player of the Week: LW Benoit Pouliot

Fri. vs. San Antonio     0-0=0
Sun. vs. San Antonio  1-1=2
Totals                            1-1=2
Left wing Benoit Pouliot recorded his third multiple-point game of the season on Saturday against the Rampage with a goal and an assist. He had four shots on goal and was in on the scoring for both of the Aeros goals. He has six points in his last eight games including four goals. The Alfred, Ontario native currently has 16 points (7-9=16) in 28 games played this season.

TEAM NOTES
• The Aeros entered the All-Star break losing four straight games (0-3-1-0) marking their worst stretch since the first four games of the season in which they started 0-3-1-0. Houston currently sits in seventh place in the West Division with 48 points and a record of 22-18-2-2. The bottom four teams in the West are separated by just four points with Milwaukee sitting in fifth with 50 points, Quad City has 49, Houston with 48 and Iowa with 46. If the season ended today, Milwaukee would take the final spot in the North Division for the playoffs.
• D Erik Reitz and G Nolan Schaefer will represent the Aeros tonight when they face-off against each other in the 2008 All-Star Classic presented by Reebok. Reitz is representing the Aeros on the PlanetUSA team while Schaefer will be between the pipes for the Canadian team. Reitz competed in the Rbk O-Stick Hardest Shot competition last night and blistered a 92.9 mph slapshot, and Schaefer stopped all six shots he faced in the Toyota Breakaway Relay during the skills competition.
• Houston set a season high for shots in a game (40) and shots in a period (20) in their 3-2 loss to the Rampage on Saturday night. Josh Tordjman stopped 38 of 40 shots in net for the win against the Aeros.
• The Aeros power play unit has struggled in the last four games going just 1-24 with the man advantage. Houston currently sits in 28th place in the league converting on 33 of 247 power plays (.134). Only the Grand Rapids Griffins have a lower power play percentage (.132).
• The Aeros penalty kill is currently fourth in the AHL killing 85.8% of their penalties.

Affiliation News
The NHL’s Minnesota Wild (28-19-3) currently leads the Northwest Division and rank third in the Western Conference. Last week the Wild won two-of-three divisional match-ups including a 3-2 win over Colorado last Thursday. Minnesota will host Anaheim Wednesday in their first action after the All-Star break and will travel to Columbus on Saturday.

Marian Gaborik has a team-leading 52 points and 25 goals coming off his all-star appearance. Niklas Backstrom leads the club with a record of 18-9-2, a .914 save percentage and a 2.52 goals against average.

The ECHL’s Texas Wildcatters swept their I-10 rivals, the Mississippi Sea Wolves, in a three-game series last weekend. Texas has a league-leading 61 points, 10 more than the next best club, with a record of 32-4-3-4. The Wildcaters will host the Florida Everblades in three games this week, Thursday through Saturday.

LAST WEEK
1/25 - HOU 1 vs. SAN 3 – L
1/26 - HOU 2 vs. SAN 3 – L

Friday, January 25: The San Antonio Rampage seemed to have control throughout the 3-1 victory over the Houston Aeros Friday night in front of 4,693 fans at Toyota Center. The loss was the Aeros' first loss at home against the Rampage this season.

Saturday, January 26: The San Antonio Rampage got on the board first and held the lead throughout in the 3-2 win over the Houston Aeros Saturday in front of 9,107 fans at Toyota Center. The Aeros’ (22-18-2-2) loss tied a season-long four-game winless streak heading into the AHL All-Star break.

The Aeros have off until Friday when they host back-to-back games against the Quad City Flames. Both 7:35 p.m. contests have tickets remaining so call 713.974.PUCK or visit Aeros.com to get yours today! The first 3,000 fans inside Toyota Center on Friday night will receive the 2007-08 players trading cards so don’t be late.

---HOUSTON AEROS---