From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
March 4, 2008

AEROS COMPLETE DRAMATIC COME-BACK, DEFEAT PROVIDENCE 3-2 IN OVERTIME

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros’ Maxim Noreau scored the game-winning goal in overtime to complete a come-from-behind victory over the Providence Bruins 3-2 Tuesday night at Toyota Center in front of 3,556 fans. Adrian Foster’s goal with 26 seconds remaining in regulation helped propel the Aeros (32-22-2-3) to their 32nd win of the season over the league-leading Bruins (42-14-3-1). Houston goaltender Barry Brust has started the last five games, all Aeros wins with his shutout streak coming to an end at 190:29 consecutive minutes.

Box Score

The scoring didn’t begin until the second period when left wing Ryan Hamilton netted the Aeros first goal of the game at 12:48 in the frame. Right winger Joel Ward and center Marco Rosa earned the assists on the even strength marker. Through two periods the Aeros couldn’t convert on four power-play chances and Providence failed to score on their three opportunities.

The third period provided the action as Providence snapped Brust’s shutout streak at an Aeros’ season-high 187:38. Bruins’ left wing Aaron Slattengren netted the puck at 4:12 in the third period with center Matt Hendricks earning the lone assist. Providence held the momentum as RW Martins Karsums netted a goal at 7:36 in the period for the 2-1 lead. LW Pascal Pelletier recorded an assist on the marker that gave them the lead until only 25 seconds remained.

Foster pushed the puck in amongst traffic at the 19:35 mark in the third period. Defenseman Paul Albers and LW Benoit Pouliot earned the assists on the extra-attacker goal to put the game into overtime.

Providence out-shot the Aeros in the overtime but the Noreau made his count as he tallied the game-winner at 3:56 in the extra session. Pouliot earned his second assist of the night and D Erik Reitz recorded his first on the winning goal.

The Aeros have announced Spring Break and Spring Fling ticket packages and will also be having many promotions throughout the month including the Hanson Brothers on March 15, Miss Aero contest on March 20, Mullet Hats on March 28 and much, much more. Call 713.974.PUCK for more information and tickets.

Notes:
- Aeros’ center Steve Kelly, left wing Peter Olvecky, goaltender Nolan Schaefer and defenseman Clayton Stoner did not play.
- Barry Brust’s bid to break the Aeros shutout streak ended just six minutes short of the team record. The Bruins goal at the 4:12 mark of the third period ended the streak at 190:29. The streak comes just 5:59 shy of the all time record of 193:37 set by Frederic Chabot from 12/11-12/22/96.
- The 3-2 win marks the first time this season the Aeros have won when trailing with five minutes remaining. The Aeros now have a record of 1-20-2-0 when trailing with five minutes remaining.
- Maxim Noreau tallied his second overtime game-winning goal of the season. The Aeros are now 5-2 in overtime games. He is now tied with defenseman Jon Awe for the team lead. Joel Ward recorded the other winning goal in the extra frame.
- The Aeros killed all three Providence chances on the power-play tonight extending their streak to 41 straight penalty-kills in which they have not given up a goal.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --