From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
March 15, 2009
AEROS COMEBACK FOR 5-4 WIN OVER ROCKFORD
HOUSTON, Texas – Krys Kolanos scored two goals as the Houston Aeros overcame two two-goal deficits to beat the Rockford IceHogs 5-4 Sunday night at Toyota Center. Benoit Pouliot and Corey Locke each added a goal and an assist for Houston (33-25-1-8) who took over sole possession of second place in the tightly packed West Division. Rockford (33-28-0-6) had two-goal leads twice in the game but gave up three unanswered goals to Houston and now find themselves in a tie for fourth place in the division. The Aeros will return home on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22 for a pair of games against the Peoria Rivermen. Call (713) 974-PUCK for tickets or visit AEROS.com.
GAMESHEET
It didn’t take the home team long to get on the board first. Matt Beaudoin tipped in a shot by Clayton Stoner on the Aeros first possession in the offensive zone just 29 seconds into the first period. Beaudoin’s ninth of the season marked the fastest goal scored by the Aeros to start a game this season.
Rockford responded by scoring the next two goals in the opening frame. First, it was Mike Radja when he banged home a rebound off a Dan Bertram shot. Then Pete MacArthur gave the IceHogs a 2-1 lead at the 17:44 mark when his shot from below the goal line bounced off the back of Nolan Schaefer’s left leg and into the net. Schaefer was pulled from the game in favor of Anton Khudobin who stopped the IceHogs’ final five shots of the period, most of them on a four-on-three power play.
Rockford opened up the second-period scoring just 18 seconds into the period when Evan Brophey scored his 14th of the season on assists from Tim Brent and Danny Groulx. The score remained 3-1 in favor of Rockford until Pouliot blasted his fifth goal of the season from the top of the left circle at the 10:26 mark. That goal ignited a four-goal period for Houston.
Rockford took a 4-2 lead on MacArthur’s second goal of the game, but Houston quickly answered with three unanswered goals. Locke tallied his 22nd of the season on the power play at the 16:02 mark, then Kolanos scored the next two goals for Houston. He scored at the 17:41 mark when he lifted a wrist shot over the shoulder of Corey Crawford on a pass from Danny Irmen.
Kolanos scored the game-winning goal with seven seconds to go in the second period. The Aeros came in on a line rush and Jesse Schultz patiently waited to feed Kolanos streaking in on the left wing. Kolanos ripped a one-timer passed Crawford for his second goal of the game and sixth multi-goal game of the season.
Khudobin and the Aeros shutdown the IceHogs in the third period and only allowed eight shots and no goals. Khudobin finished with 18 saves on 20 shots and earned his first AHL win of the season. The Aeros finished 1-3 on the power play and killed all four of Rockford’s penalties and took over sole possession of second place in the West Division with the win.
Notes:
- Corey Locke’s assist on the Aeros opening goal extended his point streak to seven games. He added a goal in the second period and has eight points (2-6=8) in the seven games marking the longest scoring streak of the season for the Aeros.
- The Aeros second period outburst of four goals marked the third time this season Houston has scored four or more goals in a period. The Aeros had one five-goal period on December 13th against the Hershey Bears.
- Krys Kolanos tallied his 250th professional point with his goal at the 17:41 mark of the second period. Kolanos had two goals and an assist in the game to up his total to 251 points (123-128=251) in 362 professional games.
- Aeros right wing Jesse Schultz became the second player on the roster to tally 50 points when he assisted on the Aeros fifth goal of the game. He now has 21 goals and 29 assists in 66 games played this season and it marks the third time in his career that he has scored 50+ points. He now has 247 points (111-136=247) in 366 career games played.
-- HOUSTON AEROS: 15 Seasons, One Reason -- |
