From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Friday, December 07, 2007

HOUSTON AEROS DEFEAT MANITOBA MOOSE 2-1 IN SHOOTOUT

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – The Houston Aeros won their third straight game, this time 2-1 in a shootout over the Manitoba Moose in front of 7,274 fans in MTS Centre. Tonight’s game is the Aeros (11-10-1-1) third straight game decided after regulation time, the last two decided within the first minute of overtime. The shootout loss is Manitoba’s (14-7-2-1) first such loss of the season. Center Morten Madsen netted the shootout-winning marker in the seventh round after both teams netted each of their first attempts.

Box Score

Houston’s right wing Danny Irmen netted the Aeros only regulation goal and the Moose’s RW Michael Grabner netted Manitoba’s only marker of the night. Aeros goaltender Nolan Schaefer and the Moose’s Drew MacIntyre each made 28 saves on 29 shots through 65 minutes of play. However Schaefer blocked 6 of 7 shootout attempts compared to MacIntyre’s 5 stops. Houston finished the game 0-for-5 on power-play attempts and the Moose didn’t capitalize on six opportunities.

Manitoba played efficiently taking only five shots but netting one for the 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Moose right wing Michael Grabner netted the first goal of the game at 3:20 in the first period with RW Mike Keane and center Brad Moran earning the assists. Houston put 14 shots on net and failed to convert on two power-play opportunities in the period.

The Moose out-shot Houston 13-8 in the second period as the Aeros proved to be more efficient in the second session scoring the lone goal to tie the game at one each. Houston right wing Danny Irmen netted his second goal of the season to tie the game at 12:04 in the second. Center Marco Rosa and left wing Ryan Hamilton were credited for the assists. Through two periods of play both teams were 0-for-3 on man-advantages.

The third period finished without a score as both teams combined for 11 shots on goal, five for the Aeros. This marks the third game in a row the Aeros have played into overtime. After the extra five scoreless-minutes of play both teams had 29 shots on net heading into the shootout.

Houston plays again tomorrow night in Manitoba at 7:30 p.m. The Aeros return home on December 22 to host Springfield. For a limited time and while supplies last, get Center Ice/Club seats for only $20 (regularly $30) and Corner seats for only $15 (regularly $22) each. The Holiday Ticket Special is also available for the December 26 game against I-10 rival, San Antonio.

The Holiday Stuffer begins at just $44. Lower end zones “Stuffers” are $64, corners are $84 and center ice “Stuffers” are $116. The Stuffer is only available through the Aeros Front Office and can be purchased by calling 713.974.PUCK.

Notes:
- The Aeros have won three straight games for the first time since the team won five in a row from 11/4-11/17/2006.
- The game also marks three-straight that have been decided after regulation time. The last time this occurred was 1/27-2/6/2007 where the team played four straight, losing two in OT and winning two in shootouts.


-- HOUSTON AEROS --