HOUSTON AEROS LOSE TO THE ROCKFORD ICEHOGS, 3-2

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Aeros came out and took the team’s first lead of the season early in the first but gave up a third period lead to fall 3-2 to the Rockford IceHogs at Toyota Center in front of 3,372 fans. Houston (0-3-1-0) failed to convert all seven power-play opportunities as Rockford (3-1-0-0) scored on one of six chances.

Official Scoresheet

The IceHogs’ C Colin Fraser led the team with two goals and no penalty minutes and D Dustin Byfuglien marked two assists including one on the game-winning goal by C David Bolland. Houston’s goals came from D Clayton Stoner and C Adrian Foster, his second of the season. Houston’s G Barry Brust (0-2-0) got his second start of the season allowing three goals and stopping 25 of the 28 shots on net. IceHogs G Wade Flaherty improved his record to 2-0-0 in his second start blocking 26 of 28 in the victory.

The first period began quickly for the Aeros as Stoner provided the Aeros with the team’s first lead of the season on an unassisted goal only 2:15 into the period. Rockford’s Fraser, who netted two goals last night in San Antonio and acquired 32 penalty minutes, tied the game up on his own unassisted goal at 11:45 in the first. Foster netted the Aeros’ second goal to retake the lead, assisted by RW Joel Ward and D Brandon Rogers. Foster’s marker was the team’s eighth of the season, he is the only player with two to his name. Houston headed into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.

The second period was dotted with penalties, 20 minutes for Rockford and 15 for the Aeros. Houston led the period with 13 shots on net and Rockford only shot seven at Brust. The Aeros head into the locker room for the second break with the 2-1 lead, the team also carried just over three minutes of a power-play into the third.

Rockford’s Fraser tied the game back at two a piece when he netted his second goal of the game, fourth in two nights. D Prestin Ryan and Byfuglien added the assists. Houston killed off 1:15 of a five on three power-play but let in a goal by Bolland while Rockford held the man-advantage to take a 3-2 lead with 7:09 remaining in the game which proved to be the game-winner.

Notes
• Stoner’s first-period goal marked the first lead of the season after 185:59 of game time.
• The Aeros power-play (0-7 tonight) is now 1-for-28 sitting at 3.6%
• Houston has scored eight goals this season coming from seven different players.
• The Aeros have been tied in the third period in each of the last three games but have only been able to salvage one point (OTL in Iowa on 10/12).

Houston will take to the road again Friday as the team travels to San Antonio to take on the Rampage in a 7:00 p.m. game. The Aeros will take a full week off before heading back to visit the Rampage Saturday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m. and return home for a third straight game against San Antonio on Sunday, October 28 at 4:05 p.m. The Sunday game marks the year’s first Sunday Family Day so don’t miss out on the afternoon action!