From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
December 14, 2007, 2007

SPRINGFIELD WINS IN SHOOTOUT, ENDS AEROS STREAK AT FIVE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Springfield Falcons defeated the Houston Aeros 4-3 in a shootout Friday night at the MassMutual Center. Marc Pouliot scored twice in the shootout including the winning goal to end the Aeros’ win streak at five games. Aeros’ LW Benoit Pouliot scored his first two goals of the season in just his third game back after missing 12 games.  The Aeros (13-10-1-2) have still not lost a game in regulation in their last six games (5-0-0-1).  Houston heads to Worcester Saturday night to take on the Bruins in their fifth game of a seven-game road trip.

Box Score

The Aeros jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first period on goals from D Paul Albers and Pouliot. Albers scored on the power play at the 6:05 mark and Pouliot notched his first of the season at the 17:16 mark on a nice centering pass from RW Petr Kalus. Houston outshot the Falcons 11-7 in the period and held on to the two goal lead going into the intermission.

Springfield erased the Aeros’ lead in the second tying the game at two on goals by D Theo Peckham and LW Ben Simon. Springfield outshot the Aeros’ 18-8 in the period, but Pouliot scored his second goal of the game, a power play goal, when he took a carom off the back wall and stuffed it past the goaltender.

The final minute of the second period changed the course of the game. Aeros’ goaltender Nolan Schaefer was relieved from the game after leaving his crease and attempting to fight with Falcons’ G Devan Dubnyk. There was an altercation in front of Dubnyk’s goal and Schaefer skated the length of the ice in an effort to defend his teammates. After the dust cleared, G Barry Brust replaced Schaefer, and the Aeros were forced to kill a four-minute power play, 3:31 of which was at the beginning of the third period.

Houston killed off the penalty as they did all game finishing 7-7 on the penalty kill. C Viacheslav Trukhno tied the game once again on an even strength goal at the 7:54 mark of the third period. The Falcons again outshot the Aeros in the period 12-5 and forced the overtime.

Houston carried the bulk of the pressure in the extra session, but couldn’t score the game winner, and the game had to be decided by a shootout.

The shootout lasted seven rounds and Marc Pouliot ended the game with his second goal of the shootout against Aeros’ goaltender Barry Brust.

Notes:
- The Aeros five-game win streak came to an end.
- The Aeros lost for the first time this season when having a two-goal lead.
- LW Benoit Pouliot had two goals, his first two goals of the season.
- The Aeros have still registered a point in six straight games (5-0-0-1).
- Houston is (3-0-0-1) on the current road trip.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --