From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Monday, December 17, 2007

HOUSTON AEROS WEEKLY UPDATE: DECEMBER 17

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros (13-12-1-2) earned three points, out of a possible eight, in four games last week. The Aeros, with 29 points, are in a three way tie with Peoria and Iowa for sixth place in the West Division. Houston will have off before traveling to take on the Iowa Stars Friday night and return home to play Saturday against the Springfield Falcons, who beat the Aeros in a shootout this past Friday.

FRI at IOW, 7:07 p.m., SAT vs. SPR, 7:35 p.m.
Friday
Houston will visit Iowa Friday night at 7:07 p.m. for the third time in three games so far this season. The first two games have been decided by one point in favor of the Stars, a 4-3 overtime-loss and a 3-2 regulation-loss. The two losses have the Aeros on a six-game winless streak (0-4-1-1) against Iowa dating back to last season. The last Houston victory came over 11 months ago on January 12, 2007 at Iowa. The Stars will host the Aeros for the fourth and final time on New Year’s Eve before visiting Houston four times in 2008 to round out the season-series.

Saturday
Saturday night is the first of a three part series of puck giveaways commemorating Houston arenas. The first 3,000 fans in Toyota Center will receive a Sam Houston Coliseum hockey puck. Special Holiday ticket prices are still available for this game, see below or the Aeros website for more details.

The Aeros host the Springfield Falcons in the teams’ second-ever meeting, second in eight days, this Saturday night at 7:35 p.m. In the first meeting last Friday night the Aeros held a one goal lead heading into each intermission but allowed the game-tying goal 7:54 in the third period. Houston scored on two of the seven total shootout attempts but the Falcons converted on three for the 4-3 victory.

Practice Schedule
17-Dec-07, Monday, Travel day
18-Dec-07, Tuesday, SLICE 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
19-Dec-07, Wednesday, SLICE 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
20-Dec-07 , Thursday, Travel day
21-Dec-07, Friday, Game at Iowa, 7:07 p.m.
22-Dec-07, Saturday, Game vs. Springfield, 7:35 p.m.
23-Dec-07, Sunday, Off

Aeros Player of the Week: C Steve Kelly


12/12 at HFD, 1-1=2, Netted the game-winning goal, assisted on first goal
12/14 at SPR, 0-0=0, two penalty minutes
12/15 at WOR, 0-1=1, Assisted on late goal to bring team within one
12/16 at PRO, 0-1=1, Assisted Aeros lone goal, tied game early in second
- C Steve Kelly recorded four points last week including the game-winning goal and an assist in the opening marker in a 6-1 route over Hartford. He later marked two assists, one in each losing effort on Saturday and Sunday. Kelly recorded four shots last week, scoring on 25% of his shots.

TEAM NOTES
• The Aeros had not lost a game in regulation when not allowing a power play goal until Sunday’s game against Providence. The Aeros did not allow the Bruins to score a goal on their two power play chances, but still lost 4-1. The Aeros are currently 6-1-0-1 when not allowing their opponent to score a power play goal.
• Houston has one more game on their seven-game road trip. The Aeros are currently 3-2-0-1 on the road trip and have guaranteed atleast a .500 mark on the road trip.
• C Steve Kelly is currently riding a two-game assist streak. The veteran center has atleast one point in six of the last eight games (3-5=8) including two game-winning goals.
• LW Ryan Hamilton missed the last two games for Houston, but has scored a point in five consecutive games played. Hamilton has a goal and four assists in that time.
• The Aeros special teams have come around since the beginning of the season. Houston has a PPG in six of the last eight contests including three multiple PPG games. In the last eight games, Houston has gone 10-44 on the power play scoring on 22.7% of their chances. The penalty kill has only allow three power play goals in that time killing 32 of 35 chances for a kill rate of .914.
• Houston will finally play a home game on December 22nd against the Springfield Falcons. Their last home game was on December 1st and the team has not lost a game in regulation at home since October going 7-0-0-1.

Affiliation News
The Minnesota Wild went 2-1 last week to finish off a five-game road stretch. Minnesota lost to former Aeros equipment manager Rick Bronwell and the San Jose Sharks Tuesday but bounced back to defeat defending champion Anaheim and Los Angeles Friday and Saturday. The pair of wins put Minnesota (18-12-2=38 pts.) in a tie for first in the Northwest Division with Vancouver.

The Wild begin a three-game home stand this week. The team faces Nashville on Tuesday, New York Rangers Thursday and Detroit Saturday.

The Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL played three straight games in Florida against the Everblades last week winning each by one goal. Tuesday and Friday the Wildcatters (20-2-0-4) won 4-3 in overtime games. Saturday was decided in regulation however, a 3-2 win for Texas. The 44 points leads the league and the team has a seven point lead in the division with 26 games behind Texas.

LAST WEEK
12/12 - HOU 6 at HFD 1 – W
12/14 - HOU 3 at SPR 4 – SOL
12/15 - HOU 2 at WOR 4 – L
12/16 - HOU 1 at PRO 4 – L

Wednesday, December 12: Nolan Schaefer stopped 32 of 33 shots in net for the Houston Aeros in a 6-1 rout over the Hartford Wolf Pack Wednesday night. The Aeros’ goaltender also added two assists and defenseman Erik Reitz had two goals and an assist in the Aeros fifth straight victory. Houston’s six goals came in a span of 18:03 and they tied their season high with four goals in the third period. Four of the Aeros’ six goals were on special teams, three power play goals and one shorthanded. The three power play goals tied a season high.

Friday, December 14: 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 contests. The Aeros had not lost a game in regulation in their prior six games (5-0-0-1).

Saturday, December 15: The Worcester Sharks exacted revenge from the first meeting this season in a 4-2 win over the Houston Aeros in front of 3,422 fans in DCU Center Saturday night. Houston's Barry Brust stopped stopped 28 of 31 shots in 58:14 of game time in the loss. The Sharks' net-minder Thomas Greiss blocked 20 of 22 Aeros shots on net earning the victory. The Aeros failed to capitalize on three power-play opportunities as Worcester scored on one of their two chances.

Sunday, December 16: The Houston Aeros wrapped up a tour of the Northeast with a loss visiting the Providence Bruins in front of 3,821 fans at Dunkin’ Donuts Center Sunday afternoon. Two games in a row the Aeros tied a season-low with only two penalties called on the team. The three penalties called on Providence also tied a season-low for Aeros opponents. The Aeros converted on one of three man-advantages as the Bruins failed to convert on either of their two chances. Houston goaltender Nolan Schaefer stopped 25 of 28 shots on net in 57:41 of time on ice. The Bruins net-minder Tuukka Rask blocked 22 of 23 shots.

The Aeros return home this Saturday, December 22, 2007 when they host the Springfield Falcons. 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, the San Antonio Rampage. The Aeros’ Holiday Stuffer promotion begins at just $44. Lower end zone “Stuffers” are $64, corners are $84 and center ice “Stuffers” are just $116. The Holiday Stuffer can only be purchased through the Aeros front office by calling (713) 974-PUCK.
---HOUSTON AEROS---