From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
October 12, 2007

STARS OUTLAST AEROS IN OT 4-3

DES MOINES, Iowa – Marty Sertich tipped in a pass at the 3:44 mark of overtime to lift the Iowa Stars over the Houston Aeros 4-3 in front of 4,482 fans at the Wells Fargo Arena. Chris Conner and Toby Petersen each contributed a goal and an assist in the win for the Stars (1-1-0-0) and Nolan Baumgartner and Mario Scalzo each had a pair of assists. The game marked the first time they have beaten the Aeros in the last four games at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Aeros’ D Erik Reitz had an assist on all three of the Aeros (0-1-1-0) goals, and Aaron Voros tied the game with 1:20 remaining in the third period with the extra attacker to send the game to overtime.

Boxscore

The Aeros picked up their first point of the season with the overtime loss and look to win their first game of the 2006-07 season tomorrow night against the Peoria Rivermen at the Toyota Center. Tickets are still available and the first 5,000 fans will receive a complimentary magnetic schedule.

The Aeros and Stars skated to a scoreless first period. Iowa outshot the Aeros 9-5 in the period and both teams finished 0-3 on the power play, although each team only had two full power play opportunities. G Barry Brust made his first start in net for the Aeros and stopped all nine shots he faced in the opening frame.

Only 1:32 into the second period, the Stars took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Chris Conner for his first goal of the season. He was assisted by Trevor Byrne. Just over one minute later, the Stars took a two-goal lead on an even-strength goal by D Vadim Khomitski at the 2:53 mark. Toby Petersen and Mario Scalzo assisted on the play.

In his debut with the team, C Adrian Foster cut the Stars lead in half when he picked up a rebound of an Erik Reitz shot and buried it past Stars’ goalie Phillipe Sauve. Reitz received an assist along with Clayton Stoner on the play. The goal came at the 15:27 mark of the second period and put the Aeros within one goal heading into the second intermission.

Houston didn’t take long to tie the game on a goal by Petr Kalus only 37 seconds into the final period when he tipped in a shot by Reitz. Aaron Voros also assisted on the play for his first point of the season.

The score remained tied at two for most of the third period until Toby Petersen scored on Iowa’s first power play opportunity since the first frame. The goal came with just 2:14 remaining in the game, but the Aeros did not give in. Less than one minute later, and only 10 seconds after a timeout by coach Kevin Constantine, Aaron Voros tied the game for the Aeros with the extra attacker and sent the game into overtime. Ryan Hamilton picked up his first point of the season with an assist and Reitz contributed with his third assist of the game. Reitz has scored a point in all five of the Aeros goals through the first two games of the season.

In the overtime session, the Aeros were awarded a power play when Nolan Baumgartner was whistled for hooking, but Houston was unable to convert. Joel Ward was penalized before their power play was over and just before he came out of the box, Marty Sertich tipped a pass in past Brust for the overtime game winner. Brust and the Aeros defense contested that the goal was kicked in, but to no avail.

Notes
• D Erik Reitz has had a point in all five of the Aeros goals this season (1-4=5)
• RW Roman Voloshenko has opted to play in Russia this season and will not play for the Aeros.
Adrian Foster scored in his debut with the team.