AEROS BREAK ROAD SLUMP, WIN 4-2 AT ROCKFORD

ROCKFORD, Ill. --- Warren Peters had a goal and two assists, Matt Hackett made 27 saves and Chad Rau bagged the game-winner as the Houston Aeros won their second straight in a 4-2 decision over the Rockford IceHogs on Wednesday night at the MetroCentre.

Rau broke a 2-2- tie 7:18 into the final stanza with his fourth goal of the season. Jarod Palmer and Nate Prosser picked up assists to help lead the Aeros to their first road victory after losing three consecutive road games since Dec. 27.

The win boosted the Aeros into sole possession of fifth place in the AHL’s Western Conference. Houston (22-18-1-2, 47 points) trails fourth-place Texas by one point and is now just five points behind second-place Milwaukee.

Justin Falk’s goal 12:13 into the first period gave the Aeros the lead and was his first tally since March 14, 2010, at Rockford. Rob Klinkhammer tied it for the IceHogs 1:37 later. Peters regained the Houston advantage with a power play goal at 16:55.

Rockford’s Ryan Potulny knotted it again for the Hogs 2:39 into the third, but Hackett and the Aeros withstood the Rockford attack to hold on for the win. Colton Gilles added an empty-net goal, his second in as many games, to ice the victory.

The Houston penalty kill, which has allowed goals in three of the previous four games, was perfect on five opportunities. The Aeros snuffed out two late Rockford power plays in the third period, including a 5-on-3 after Cody Almond and J.M. Daoust took penalties 41 seconds apart starting at the 12:35 mark.

The Aeros continue a run of four games in five nights starting this Friday at Chicago. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. CST. The team returns home for a pair of games vs. the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday (7:35 p.m.) and Sunday (4:05 p.m.).

DECIDING GOAL
Rau (7:18, 3rd)

POWER PLAYS
HOU: 1/3
RFD: 0/5

GOALIES
HOU: Hackett (27/29, W)
RFD: Richards (18/21, L)

TEAM RECORDS
HOU: 22-18-1-2
RFD: 16-16-1-4

AEROS STARTERS
F: Almond, DiSalvatore, Buck
D: Prosser, Falk
G: Hackett

AEROS SCRATCHES
Fraser, Wellman, Kalus, Fredheim, Broda

NEXT GAME
Jan. 14 at Chicago, 7:35 p.m. CST

BOMB DROPPINGS
The season series is now tied at 2-2-0-0…The teams next meet Feb. 9 at RFD…The IceHogs are 0-for-16 on the power play vs. Houston…Hackett snapped a personal four-game road losing streak with the win. His last victory away from home was Dec. 14 at Hamilton…Hackett has wins in four of his last five decisions…Casey Wellman missed his ninth straight game with a lower body injury…Houston leads the AHL in first goals (26) and is 18-6-0-2 when scoring first…When scoring four or more goals the Aeros are 13-0-0-0…Robbie Earl extended his scoring streak to five games (2-4-6) with an assist on Peters’ goal…Jed Ortmeyer has points (0-5-5) in four of five games as an Aero. He assisted on the Gillies empty-netter.