From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
February 24, 2008

AEROS BLANK AMERKS 4-0, WIN THIRD STRAIGHT

 ROCHESTER, NY– Barry Brust stopped all 24 shots he faced as the Houston Aeros defeated the Rochester Americans 4-0 Sunday evening at The Blue Cross Arena in front of 5,696 fans. The win marked the third consecutive road victory for the Aeros (30-22-2-3) as they moved into a fifth place tie in the West Division, just one point below the Peoria Rivermen. Rochester (17-35-4-4) was shutout for the second consecutive time and they remain in seventh place in the North Division.

Box Score

Three different Aeros had multiple-point games; Jon Awe and Morten Madsen each had a pair of assists and Brandon Rogers scored his first goal of the season, the game winner, and added an assist.

Brust finally earned the elusive shutout in his 25th game. He had given up just one goal in 10 games before finally blanking the Americans with a 24 save performance. It also marked his sixth win in his last seven tries.

The teams skated to a scoreless first period before Rogers opened the scoring at the 5:35 mark of the second period. Rogers earned the power play marker when Madsen’s shot bounced off Amerks’ goaltender Tyler Plante and went right to Rogers’ tape on the backdoor. It marked his first goal of the season and he became the last player on the Aeros’ roster to notch a goal.

The Aeros continued their pressure and put the game away with a couple more goals in the second period. Marco Rosa scored his first goal in six games and seventh of the season at the 11:05 mark, and Benoit Pouliot notched the team’s second power play goal at the 14:48 mark.

Houston finished 2-7 on the power play and killed all five of the Americans chances. The Aeros have not allowed a power play goal in five straight games killing 30 straight chances. They are currently second in the AHL on the penalty kill with a .865 kill rate.

Serge Payer capped the scoring 4:27 into final period on a nice pass from Steve Kelly. It marked Payer’s 150th career professional point.

Houston outshot the Amerks 30-24 in the game marking the third straight game that the team has had 30-plus shots and have outshot their opponent.

The Aeros will travel to Cleveland on Wednesday to take on the Lake Erie Monsters for their fourth and final game of the road trip. Houston will then head home for 10 straight games at the Toyota Center starting March 4th against the Providence Bruins. Tickets are available for all games by calling (974) 713-PUCK or going online at Aeros.com.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --