From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Friday, January 25, 2008

SAN ANTONIO CONTROLLED AEROS IN 3-1 HOUSTON LOSS

HOUSTON, Texas – The San Antonio Rampage seemed to have control throughout the 3-1 victory over the Houston Aeros Friday night in front of 4,693 fans at Toyota Center. The loss was the Aeros' (22-17-2-2) first loss at home against the Rampage (24-13-3-4) this season. San Antonio will stay in town for another game tomorrow night at 7:35 p.m.

BOX SCORE

The Aeros lone goal came from captain-defenseman Erik Reitz, his eighth of the season. San Antonio was led by right wing Enver Lisin marking two points (one goal, one assist). Aeros’ goaltender Nolan Schaefer stopped 23 of 26 shots on net in the loss as Josh Tordjman blocked 25 of 26 shots on goal for his 14th win of the season.

San Antonio got on the board first as center Joey Tenute, the team’s leading goal scorer, netted a power-play goal at 10:10 in the first period. Defenseman Travis Roche and Lisin earned the assists for the 1-0 lead. Lisin followed his assist with another marker a mere 55 seconds later on a break-away initiated by left wing David Spina, earning the assist. The Aeros didn’t leave the first period scoreless as Reitz slapped the puck on net from near the Rampage bench and bounced off the inside of the far post at 16:36 in the first. Right wing Joel Ward and center Marco Rosa marked the assists. Houston out-shot the Rampage 15-7 in the first frame.

The second period was held scoreless as each team failed to convert on three power-plan chances. San Antonio out-shot the Aeros 8-7 in the period and each team was assessed three penalties for six minutes.

The Aeros’ center Steve Kelly had a breakaway opportunity but was hooked down and earned a penalty-shot at 6:57 in the third period but failed to convert. With less than a minute left in the game the Rampage’s right wing Bill Thomas pushed the puck between Schaefers' pads at 19:37 for the final score of the game. Left wing Daniel Carcillo and Roche earned the assists for a 3-1 final in favor of San Antonio.

The Rampage are still in town and the West Division is still very tight as the I-10 rival stays in town in a 7:35 p.m. contest tomorrow night. Tickets are still available so call the Aeros front office at 713.974.PUCK or visit Aeros.com. If you can't make it out the game will be televised live on FSN Houston.

Notes:
- Defenseman Erik Reitz returned to the Aeros' lineup having missed the last two games. He scored his first goal in 14 games in the first period.
- The Aeros are 1-2-1-0 on their current seven-game homestand.
- Center Steve Kelly received a penalty shot at 6:57 in the third period but failed to convert. The attempt was the Aeros' 21st all-time attempt. The save was only the second penalty-shot save in the AHL this season in 15 tries.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --