AEROS FALL 7-2 TO GRAND RAPIDS

By:
From: Robert Desimone, Communications Manager
(713) 361-7920
Palmer Hestley, Asst. Communications Manager
(713) 361-7930
February 12, 2010

TEAMS FINISH SEASON SERIES SATURDAY, 7:35 PM

     HOUSTON - C Justin Abdelkader and LW Mattias Ritola each scored a goal and an assist and 15 different skaters recorded at least one point as the Grand Rapids Griffins (24-28-0-1) defeated the Houston Aeros (26-21-6-1) 7-2 in front of 6,036 at Toyota Center Friday night. G Barry Brust (4-2-0) had his four-game winning streak snapped saving 14 of 19 in 45:28 of ice time while LW Petr Kalus and LW Colton Gillies tallied the only markers for Houston. G Daniel Larsson (16-15-1) made 26 saves to earn the victory.

    BOXSCORE

     In a physical first period that saw 11 penalties including four fighting majors, three goals were scored between the two clubs. Grand Rapids tallied the first goal when RW Jamie Tardif broke into the Aeros’ end on a short handed breakaway where he beat Brust glove side at 5:47. The goal is the sixth short handed marker given up by Houston this season. The Griffins took a 2-0 lead at 13:34 off the stick of LW Tomas Tatar when he deflected home C Evan McGrath’s shot on net.

     The Aeros cut the lead in half thanks to a power play goal from Kalus. RW Duncan Milroy gathered the puck just outside the crease and rang his shot off the post. The deflection found the tape of Kalus who banged it to the back of the net for his 11th of the season.

     The Griffins extended their lead with two goals in the middle stanza. The first came 12:43 into the period when C Kris Newbury took a centering feed from RW Jeremy Williams and found a wide open net. Grand Rapids took a 4-1 lead at 16:16 off a left point snap shot from D Andy Delmore.

     The Griffins continued to pile it on 5:34 into the third frame when F John Vigilante tallied his ninth goal of the season. Gillies celebrated his 21st birthday by netting his fourth of the campaign to inch the Aeros to within three at 6:26, but the Griffins tacked on a pair of late goals to seal it.

     The seven goals allowed is the most given up by the Aeros since falling 7-3 to Worcester Mar. 31, 2007 at Toyota Center. Houston outshot the Griffins 28-22 and went 1-for-6 on the power play. Grand Rapids finished the night 2-for-3 on the man advantage. Aeros LW Peter Zingoni left the game midway through the first period and did not return after taking a hit by Abdelkader.

     The Aeros and Griffins take the ice in the seseason series finale between the two clubs tomorrow night. Puck drop is set for 7:35 p.m. at Toyota Center and it’s Texas Lottery Night as the first 2,700 fans get a chance to receive a free scratch off ticket. Also the first 3,000 fans receive an Aeros team poster. If you can’t attend remember you can watch the game live on ahllive.com and listen to Joe O’Donnell’s call on 1070 AM-KNTH. Follow the interactive in-game blog on aeros.com.

    Joe O'Donnell's Calls of the Game

    Kalus goal
    Gillies goal

-- HOUSTON AEROS --


Follow the Aeros on Facebook and Twitter


Search Archive »





Browse by Month »

May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004
September 2004
August 2004
July 2004
June 2004
May 2004
April 2004
March 2004
February 2004
January 2004
December 2003
November 2003
October 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003
January 2003
December 2002
November 2002
October 2002
September 2002