RAMPAGE OVERCOME TWO-GOAL
DEFICIT TO BEAT HOUSTON AEROS 4-2

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Houston Aeros were defeated by the San Antonio Rampage 4-2 Saturday night at AT&T Center in front of 8,265 fans. Houston jumped out to a 2-0 lead but the Rampage scored the final four goals of the contest to defeat the Aeros for the second straight night. Former Aero Wyatt Smith had a goal and two assists and Kevin Porter tallied three assists for San Antonio who will head to Houston for the final game tomorrow night at Toyota Center. Ticket for the Aeros’ regular season finale featuring the world famous ZOOperstars! are available by calling (713) 974-PUCK or visiting AEROS.com.

GAMESHEET

Houston’s playoff opponent is still unknown until the Aeros and Rampage play tomorrow. Houston is currently in fourth place in the West Division, just one point behind the Rockford IceHogs. If the Aeros beat the Rampage tomorrow at Toyota Center they will take over third place in the West Division and take on the Peoria Rivermen in the first round of the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs. If the Aeros lose, they will remain in fourth place in the division and take on the Milwaukee Admirals in the first round.

The Aeros jumped out to a quick lead when Maxim Noreau tallied his 14th of the season on a wrist shot from just inside the blue line. The even-strength goal came at the 2:06 mark of the opening frame and proved to be the only one of the period. Noreau continued to lead all defensemen on the Aeros’ roster in scoring with his 39th point of the season. Anton Khudobin stopped all four shots he faced in the first period and his counterpart Josh Tordjman stopped seven of eight shots for the Rampage.

John Lammers made it a 2-0 lead for Houston at the 3:39 mark of the second period when he came into the zone on a two-on-one and banged home his own rebound initially shot from the faceoff circle. The power-play goal marked Lammers’ 12th of the season and he was assisted by Corey Locke and Dane Crowley.

The Aeros’ two-goal lead didn’t last long as Simon Ferguson netted his fifth of the season at the 6:51 mark of the period on assists from Dylan Reese and Smith. San Antonio tied the game at 13:47 when Sean Sullivan one-timed a shot past Khudobin only four seconds into a power play for the Rampage. The game remained tied heading into the third period.

The Aeros had three power-play chances in the third period but failed to convert, and at the 17:44 mark, Smith scored on San Antonio’s only power play of the third period. Porter made a nice move coming into the Aeros zone and backhanded a pass to Smith who one-timed it past Khudobin for the game winner. Shortly after, Khudobin was pulled for an extra attacker to take the ice in an attempt to tie the contest and repeat last night’s late effort. However Chad Kolarik found the empty net with 40 seconds left on the clock putting the contest out of the Aeros reach.

Notes:
- The Aeros have won just one game in their last nine. Houston is 1-6-1-1 in their last nine with one game remaining before the 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs.
- Rockford also lost in regulation Saturday night to end their regular season meaning an Aeros win Sunday in the season finale would move the Aeros into third place in the West. Any loss (regulation/OT/SO) for Houston would keep the team in fourth place and start the Calder Cup Playoffs in Milwaukee. Third place will start their playoff run in Peoria.
- Houston successfully killed off 22 straight short-handed situations prior to Saturday’s contest. The Aeros killed off all 16 in the past two games, the final three in their April 3 game and the first three Saturday in San Antonio. The Rampage recorded their first power-play goal at 13:47 of the contest which tied the game at two apiece.