From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
February 10, 2008

MARLIES END AEROS STREAK AT FOUR GAMES

TORONTO, Ontario – The Toronto Marlies behind Justin Pogge’s 33 saves shutout the Houston Aeros Sunday evening 1-0 at the Ricoh Coliseum. Andy Wozniewski provided the only offense for both teams scoring with just over five minutes remaining in the game. Aeros’ goaltender Nolan Schaefer stopped 27 of 28 shots in the game but didn’t have any support in the offensive end as the Aeros were shutout for the third time this season.

Box Score

Pogge and Schaefer stole the show as both teams had their chances but couldn’t convert until Wozniewski’s goal with five minutes remaining. Houston finished with three power play opportunities in the game and couldn’t convert, and for the second straight game, the Aeros only had to kill one penalty the entire game.

Houston carried the pace through first period outshooting Toronto 17-9. Aeros’ forward Peter Olvecky had one quality chance on a rebound at the midpoint of the period, but he couldn’t get his stick on the puck. That was one of the few quality scoring chances for either team throughout the game.

Toronto began to get their legs under them as the game rolled along having played yesterday against the Hamilton Bulldogs. The Marlies outshot the Aeros in the final two periods. Then at the 14:37 mark of the third period, Wozniewski scored the game winner. His shot was tipped off a stick in front of Schaefer and snuck just inside the crossbar to make the difference in the game. It marked Wozniewski’s first goal of the season.

The Aeros will travel to Peoria and Chicago to round out their six-game road trip and they will head home for two games this weekend against the Iowa Stars on Friday, February 15 and Sunday, February 17. Tickets and special packages are available by calling (713) 974-PUCK.

Notes:
- The Aeros have only given up only two power play opportunities in the last two games (one in each game).
- The game marked just the third time this season that the Aeros were shutout and first time in their last 30 games.
- Houston’s season long five-game road winning streak came to an end. They had also won four consecutive games. It marked the second time this season that the Marlies ended a four-game winning streak for the Aeros.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --