HOUSTON --- Matt Hackett's 27 saves and an early goal by Robbie Earl weren't enough as the Houston Aeros fell 2-1 to the Rockford IceHogs in front of 4,471 fans Friday at Toyota Center.

Earl bagged Houston’s lone goal when he redirected a shot off the shaft of his stick past Rockford goalie Alec Richards to give Houston a 1-0 lead 3:21 into the game.

Ryan Potulny scored the game-winner at 14:53 of the middle stanza with his sixth tally of the season.

BOXSCORE
GAME DAY AUDIO CLIPS

Rockford’s Ivan Vishnevskiy tied the game at 1-1 early in the second. The goal, initially waved off, was awarded at the next stoppage of play at 2:27.

Richards made 38 saves in the win for the Hogs.

The Aeros are now tied with the Texas Stars, who they face Saturday, for fourth place in the West Division with 27 points. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Houston and gave the IceHogs their first win after losing two in a row.

After Saturday’s game, the Aeros travel to Oklahoma City for a matchup with the Barons on Tuesday. The team returns home Friday, Dec. 10, to face the San Antonio Rampage in the annual Teddy Bear Toss game. Call 713-974-7825 for more information on tickets and other promotions.

NEXT GAME
Dec. 4 at Texas, 7:00 p.m.  

DECIDING GOAL
Potulny, 14:53, 2nd   

POWER PLAYS
HOU: 0/4
RFD: 0/5
      
GOALIES
HOU: Hackett (27/29, L)
RFD: Richards (38/39, W)

TEAM RECORDS
HOU: 12-10-1-2
RFD: 9-11-0-3

AEROS STARTERS
F: Almond, DiSalvatore, Daoust
D: Scandella, Prosser
G: Hackett

AEROS SCRATCHES
Fraser, Zingoni, McBride, Buck, Broda, Cuma

BOMB DROPPINGS
Chad Rau returned to the lineup after missing the last 20 games with an injury…The Aeros had won six of their last seven at home…The Aeros are now 10-9-1-0 vs. West Division teams…The Aeros scored first for the 15th time in the last 18 games. They lead the AHL in first goals (17)...When scoring first Houston is now 12-3-0-2.