From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Friday, March 28, 2008

HOUSTON FALLS 5-1 TO PEORIA IN 11TH HOME GAME OF MARCH

HOUSTON, Texas – The Peoria Rivermen took a 4-0 lead before the Houston Aeros recorded their only goal of the game in the second period. Peoria regained their lead for a 5-1 victory in front of 7,946 fans at Toyota Center Friday night. Houston (39-26-2-3) will hit the road for the next eight games as Peoria (36-27-4-5) returns to San Antonio for a tilt tomorrow night.

BOX SCORE

Peoria came out on top of the first period, scoring two unanswered goals in the frame. Rivermen center Trent Whitfield got the scoring starting by slapping in the puck from the faceoff circle on Brust’s glove side at 7:04 in the first. The play was set up when Yan Stastny stole the puck in the neutral zone forcing an odd-man rush. Ryan Reaves followed with a goal of his own at 14:15 in the first. Defensemen Ryan Glenn and Derek Martin earned the assists.

Peoria outscored the Aeros 3-1 in the second frame with Stastny scoring a pair of goals at 6:56 and 19:27, a short-handed goal. Houston’s Marco Rosa netted the club’s lone goal in the period, a power-play marker at 16:09. Serge Payer and Jon Awe earned the assists on the goal which deflected off a defenseman’s skate and in the net. Glenn netted the middle goal of the period for Peoria at 13:07 on the man-advantage.

The third and final period was held scoreless, allowing Peoria the 5-1 win. Emotions ran high with both teams still looking to clinch a playoff spot as 17 penalties were called in the final period. Houston finished 1-for-5 on the power-play to Peoria’s 1-for-4.

Game Notes
- The 5-1 score at the start of the third period marks only the second time the Aeros have entered the final period with a four-goal deficit. The only other time so far this season was during a 4-0 loss vs. Rockford on March 13.
- The Aeros’ 49 penalty minutes against Peoria marked a season-high for the club. The previous high was 45 minutes which was set on November 16 at Peoria.
- The Aeros are now 2-3-1 in the first game of three-game sets this season. The club is 3-2 in the second game and 4-1 in the third of three-contest sets.
- The Minnesota Wild signed 2007 first round draft pick Colton Gillies who played in his first professional game with the Aeros. Gillies recorded one shot on goal in the contest.
- Houston plays their next eight games on the road, their longest road trip of the season, spanning the next 14 days. The club returns home for the final two games of the season on April 12-13. In the last ten games of the season 8 are against divisional opponents, five of such games are against Milwaukee including the three-in-three set the final weekend.

The Aeros hit the road for an eight-game stint but there are still two home-games left in the regular season. Don't miss out on the final two games on April 12-13 which could determine the playoffs as the West Division is still the tightest in the league. Call 713.974.PUCK to get your groups and tickets lined up while you still can! While the team is on the road, starting tomorrow night in Chicago at 7 p.m., tune in to Jason Shaver on AM 1070-KNTH to catch every minute of the action.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --