RAU SCORES GAME-WINNER AS AEROS EDGE HOGS

ROCKFORD, Ill. --- Justin Falk registered a goal and an assist, Robbie Earl and Colton Gillies each collected two helpers and Matt Hackett made 22 saves as the Houston Aeros skated to a 5-3 victory over the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Five different players scored for the Aeros, who collected three of a possible six points and posted a 1-1-0-1 record in their three-game-in-three-night weekend run.

The win helped the Aeros remain tied with the Milwaukee Admirals for first place in the West Division and Western Conference race.

Jon DiSalvatore, Justin Falk, Maxim Noreau, Chad Rau and Jed Ortmeyer provided the offense for the Aeros. Rau’s third period tally with 10:03 remaining in regulation was the difference maker. Ortmeyer provided insurance with an empty-net goal with 30 seconds left in the game. 

Rockford battled back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits before Rau beat goaltender Hannu Toivonen with the eventual game-winner.

Ryan Potulny and Kyle Beach each had a goal and a helper for the Hogs while Jeff Taffe chipped in with two assists.
 
The Aeros return home on Tuesday, Feb. 22, against the Milwaukee Admirals. Call 713-974-7825 (PUCK) for more information on Aeros tickets and other promotions.

DECIDING GOAL
Rau (9:57, 3rd)

POWER PLAYS
HOU: 0/2
RFD: 0/1

GOALIES
HOU: Hackett (22/25, W)
RFD: Toivonen (31/35, L)

TEAM RECORDS
HOU: 33-21-1-4
RFD: 21-26-3-4

AEROS STARTERS
F- Gillies, Ortmeyer, McMillan
D: Noreau, Bagnall
G: Hackett

AEROS SCRATCHES
Wellman, Cuma, Daoust

NEXT GAME
Feb. 22 vs. Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m.

BOMB DROPPINGS
Jon DiSalvatore extended his scoring streak to five games (2-3-5)… Tonight’s win was Houston’s and Matt Hackett’s third straight at Rockford… Houston posted 35 shots for the third-straight game… Justin Falk’s goal was his second in the last seven games… Cody Almond was recalled by Minnesota earlier today.