From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
January 24, 2009
HOUSTON FALLS 3-2 TO RIVERMEN AFTER TWO-GOAL THIRD PERIOD
HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros’ two goals in the third period wasn’t quite enough to top the visiting Peoria Rivermen in a 3-2 loss Saturday night. The loss kept the Aeros (21-18-1-7) in a tie for second place in the West Division heading into the All-Star break. Houston will continue on their home stretch with a Thursday contest against the Quad City Flames at 7:05 p.m. Call (866) GO-AEROS or visit AEROS.com for tickets to any upcoming contests.
GAMESHEET
Houston controlled much of the pace through the first 20 minutes of the game. The Aeros outshot the Rivermen 9-3 in the period, but neither team was able to light the lamp. Both Houston and Peoria finished with two power plays, but neither team converted.
The Rivermen got the early jump in the second period and tallied two goals in the first five minutes. First, Chris Porter notched his second of the season when he buried a rebound at the 1:10 mark. Trent Whitfield made the initial shot and Porter was in the slot to bang home the rebound. At the 4:18 mark, Steve Regier netted his 13th of the season when he lifted the puck over Aeros’ goaltender from the doorstep. He was assisted by Julian Talbot and Whitfield earned his second assist of the night. Houston again outshot the Rivermen, but the Aeros were unable to capitalize on three power play opportunities in the period.
On their sixth power play of the night and first opportunity of the third period, the Aeros finally converted. Benoit Pouliot scored his first goal of the season in an Aeros sweater at the 2:22 mark when the puck hit Pouliot as he was screening a Clayton Stoner shot. Tomas Mojzis earned the second assist on the play to make it a one-goal game.
The Rivermen answered at the 9:59 mark of the period with their first power play goal of the game. Steve Wagner let a shot go from the left circle and was tipped by Steve Regier over the shoulder of Schaefer giving the visitors a 3-1 lead. Houston drew a pair of penalties to give the Aeros a 5-on-3 advantage for 17 seconds. Corey Locke converted when Houston had a one-man advantage only six seconds following the 5-on-3 to bring the Aeros within one. However, the Rivermen were able to fight off a late push by the Aeros when Schaefer left the net for the final 19 seconds of the game. The extra attacker didn’t give Houston enough of an edge for a 3-2 final in favor of Peoria.
Notes:
- The Aeros head into the All-Star break with a record of 21-18-1-7, good enough for a tie in second place in the West Division. Corey Locke and Barry Brust will represent the team on Sunday for the skills competition and in the game on Monday.
- Houston has scored a power play goal in six of their last eight games going 11-41 in that span.
- The Aeros winning streak of four games came to an end tonight. The streak tied the longest such streak of the season for Houston. The other such streak was when team won their first four games of the season.
- Corey Locke recorded a third-period power-play goal for his seventh goal on a man-advantage, his 21st special-teams point. Locke recorded power-play goals on back-to-back nights against the Rivermen, including last night’s game-winner.
- Matt Beaudoin recorded an assist Saturday night for his seventh point in 11 games with the Aeros. Prior to joining the Aeros, Beaudoin tallied only one assist in 14 AHL games.
-- HOUSTON AEROS: 15 Seasons, One Reason -- |
