From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Monday, March 17, 2008

AEROS UNLUCKY ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY, FALL 4-2 TO FLAMES

HOUSTON, Texas –The Quad City Flames took a 3-0 lead before the Houston Aeros scored their first goal over halfway through the third period in a 4-2 loss in front of 3,199 fans at Toyota Center Monday night. The Flames (31-27-2-7) moved within four points of the fifth place Aeros (35-24-2-3) as Houston remains static at 75 points and in fifth place in the West Division.

Box Score

After a delay due to a zamboni breaking down in the first intermission, the Flames came out of the locker room and scored a quick goal just 1:26 into the second period. Left wing Cam Cunning took a loose puck in the right circle and lifted it over the left shoulder of Aeros’ goaltender Barry Brust. Grant Stevenson and Matt Pelech assisted on the play giving the Flames a 1-0 lead.

Quad City converted again when Pelech took a pass from behind the net by Brandon Prust and went top shelf with the puck. The goal came at 11:48 of the second period as the Flames took a 2-0 lead. Houston recorded the final seven shots in the second period but couldn’t get the puck past Flames’ goaltender Curtis McElhinney. After two periods, the Flames outshot the Aeros 18-12.

Down by two goals, Aeros’ head coach Kevin Constantine pulled his goaltender for an extra attacker with just over 14 minutes remaining in the third period on a face-off in the Flames’ zone. However, Brust returned to net after Quad City showed some pressure.

The Flames would keep the pressure on and put Houston down 3-0 when Derek Couture netted the puck at the 9:30 mark in the period on a backhanded wrap-around goal. Brett Sutter and Gord Baldwin earned the assists. The Aeros wouldn’t go out quietly as C Marco Rosa netted the club’s first goal at 12:13 in the final period with Joel Ward on the assist. Brust again was pulled from the net in an attempt to spark the Aeros but Cunning was able to sneak past the defense and flick the puck in for an empty-net goal at 12:41 in the period for a 4-1 lead.

Again, Houston wouldn’t let the game get completely out of hand with Peter Olvecky stuffing in a power-play marker, the only such goal in seven attempts on the night. Rosa recorded his second point of the evening with an assist and Ryan Hamilton recorded the second assist on the marker to round out the scoring for the night.

The Aeros have announced $22 Center Ice seats in addition to other Spring Break specials you don't want to miss. The specials run the rest of the week as the action picks up in the quest for the post-season. Call 713.974.PUCK for more details and to order your tickets today!

Notes:
- Aeros RW Peter Olvecky returned to the lineup after he had missed the previous eight games due to injury.
- The Aeros are 1-5 in the last six West Division games. Three of the losses, the Aeros have been shutout. Houston’s next eight games are against divisional opponents.
- The game marked the Aeros second and last Monday game of the season as the club fell to 0-2 on Monday evenings.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --