From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications 713.361.7920 (Direct Line) Scott Henninger, Communications Manager 713.361.7930 (Direct Line) Monday, December 31, 2007
AEROS FALL TO STARS, 5-4, IN IOWA TO CLOSE OUT 2007
SAN ANTONIO, Texas– The Houston Aeros fall 5-4 to the Iowa Stars during their New Years Eve dual in front of 3,308 fans at Wells Fargo Arena, Monday night. The Aeros (17-14-1-2) lost their first game of the season when scoring three or more goals. The Stars (17-17-1-1) move into a three-way tie for sixth in the West Division and within one point of Houston with the win.
Iowagoaltender Tobias Stephan earned the win, stopping 32 of 36 shots on net. Aeros’ net-minder Nolan Schaefer blocked 33 of 38 in only his second loss in 13 starts. Houstoncouldn’t convert on their lone power-play opportunity while Iowarecorded a goal in one of their two chances. The Stars out-shot Houston38-36. The 36 shots were the most the Aeros have taken all season.
Iowagot on the board first with only 17 seconds left in the first period as Toby Petersen capitalized on the Stars’ second and last power-play opportunity of the game. Nolan Baumgartner and Konstantin Pushkarev recorded the assists on the game’s first marker. Both teams took 10 shots on net each but Iowatook to the locker room with the 1-0 lead.
Not to be left in the dust, Adrian Foster netted the Aeros’ first goal to tie the game 1-1 at 4:20 into the second period. Iowa’s Marty Sertich netted his 11th goal of the season to take back the Star’s lead at 7:28 in the period. Houstonwouldn’t let the Stars hold a lead heading into the final period as Troy Riddle scored the tying goal with on 1:10 left in the second frame. Joel Ward and Erik Reitz earned the assists on the late-period goal. Each team recorded 13 shots in the second period.
Sertich took back the Stars’ lead only 48 seconds into the final period. Baumgartner earned his second assist of the game on the go-ahead goal. Only 40 seconds later B.J. Crombeen netted his sixth goal of the season for a 4-3 lead at 1:28 in the third. Serge Payer brought the Aeros back within one when he marked his fifth goal of the season at 7:02 with Ward and Reitz both assisting on this goal as well. Petersen tallied his second goal of the game, an unassisted marker at 9:49 in the final session which proved to be the game-winning tally.
After the Aeros pulled Schaefer for the extra attacker Jon Awe netted his second of the season to bring the game back within one with only 43 seconds left in the game. The Aeros weren’t able to take advantage of the extra attacker for a second time to tie the game as the Stars closed out the game with a 5-4 win.
The Aeros play again New Years Day in Peoriaand can be heard live on AM-1070 KNTH and online at Aeros.com. The Aeros return home in the New Year on January 4, 2008 to face the Iowa Stars in a 7:35 p.m. start. The Stars stay in town and play again on Sunday for another Aeros Family Game which includes special ticket pricing. Aeros Holiday Stuffers are still available so don’t miss out on these great deals for the season!
Notes: - Troy Riddle netted a goal in his first game back in the lineup after missing four games. - The five goals-against tied the most allowed this season by goaltender Nolan Schaefer. Schaefer allowed five goals in the 6-5 shootout win in San Antonioon October 19. - The loss marks the first Aeros loss this season when scoring three or more goals. -Stars recorded two penalties, four penalty-minutes which marks the lowest for Aeros opponents this season.
