From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Monday, October 15, 2007

AEROS WEEKLY UPDATE, OCTOBER 15

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros aren’t off to the start they were looking for but newcomer C Serge Payer said, “The team seems to be gelling together quickly.” Come see the team start heading in the right direction in the first mid-week game of the season on Wednesday night!

WED, RFD, 7:05 p.m.
First Taste of Rockford
The Houston Aeros are looking for their first victory of the season after three games but when you have so many fresh faces and a new coaching staff, players may take a few games to gel. This is also the first time these teams have ever faced each other so anything could happen. This is the first season the Hogs have been in existence in the AHL.
Rockford will play the night before in San Antonio prior to coming to Houston. The IceHogs lost their franchise opener 1-5 visiting Quad City and are just coming off a Saturday night blowout of the Iowa Stars 7-3 to start the season 1-1-0-0. The Aeros are currently 0-2-1-0 heading into the week.

FRI, at SAN, 7:00 p.m.
Renewing the Rivalry
The Aeros will take to the road for the second time this season, this time via bus to play the San Antonio Rampage for the 61st time in team history. The Aeros handily hold the all time record at 38-13-6-3, including a 14-9-4-3 record while in San Antonio. The Rampage and Aeros have split the last ten meetings with each team getting five wins, including one shootout win for Houston.
San Antonion (2-0-0-0) also had a seven-goal game hosting Iowa on opening night and took Peoria 2-1 this past Friday night. As mentioned, the Rampage will host the IceHogs Tuesday night and will rest until coming to Houston Friday.

All Aeros games are broadcast live on KNTH 1070-AM and through Aeros.com. For $6, you can also watch the game live via B2 Networks. Visit Aeros.com 10 minutes prior to gametime to order.

Player of the Week: D Erik Reitz

10/12 at IOW 0-3=3
10/13 vs. PEO 0-0=0
After marking three helpers in Iowa on Friday night, Reitz had a hand in the Aeros first five goals of the season. He scored and assisted on the two goals opening night and is the Aeros point leader with five. Reitz has now played in more AHL games in team history with 317 scoring 627 points with Houston.

Notables • The Aeros have not had a lead in a game yet this season, 183:44.
• Aeros’ D Erik Reitz broke the team record for AHL games played. He currently sits at 317. Reitz is also third on the Aeros’ list for AHL/IHL games combined.
• The Aeros have averaged 8,852 fans through two games. It is the highest total in the AHL for teams that have had more than one home game.

Affiliation News The Minnesota Wild remain the only undefeated team in the NHL at 5-0-0-0, reminiscent of last season when the team started off with six straight wins. The latest win coming in a 2-0 shutout of the Stanley Cup Champions, Anaheim Ducks care of former Houston Aero Josh Harding. Harding, stopped all 37 shots on net, third shutout for Minnesota, in game-two of the Mother-Son road Trip. Right Wings Brian Rolston and Mark Parrish netted their first goals of the season as the only two netted in the game.

G Niklas Backstrom marked his fourth win of the season on Saturday night in a 3-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes blocking 27 of 29 shots. LW Marian Gaborik and former Aero C Mikko Koivu netted their respective first goals of the season and Eric Belanger tallied his second, a short hander, in the victory. Backstrom also recorded his second shutout of the season over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in the 2-0 victory. D Brent Burns and RW Pavol Demitra netted the game’s goals with Gaborik assisting on both tallies.

The Texas Wildcatters took a distant road trip up to Anchorage, A.K. for two pre-season contests and split the two games, winning 5-3 on Thursday night including a Marco Rosa hat-trick, and losing 3-4 Friday night. The Wildcatters open the regular season this Friday night on the road in Augusta and Saturday in Charlotte.

Aeros drop last two: IOW 4, HOU 3 OT; HOU 1, PEO 3

Friday: Houston lost the first road trip of the season but came away with one point in the 4-3 shootout loss. Aeros’ Reitz had an assist on all three of the Aeros 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. C Adrian Foster and RW Petr Kalus netted the first to goals for Houston as G Barry Brust got his first start of the season stopping 26 of 30 shots on net in the loss.

Saturday: The Houston Aeros’ lone goal in the 3-1 loss was tallied by C Serge Payer with assists going to LW Aaron Voros and RW Cal Clutterbuck. Peoria’s C Yan Stastny netted two goals in the win, his first two of the season. RW Mike Glumac led the Rivermen with assists on all three markers. Aero’s G Nolan Schaefer stopped 32 of 35 shots in his second start of the season, second loss as Peoria’s Marek Schwarz stopped 26 of the Aeros 27 shots earning his second win of the season.

 

-- HOUSTON AEROS --