From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
April 5, 2008

AEROS JUST ONE POINT FROM CLINCHING PLAYOFF SPOT

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. – The Houston Aeros gave up two unanswered goals and fell 2-1 to the Milwaukee Admirals Saturday night in front of 7,687 fans at Bradley Center. Pekka Rinne stopped 21 of 22 shots in net for Milwaukee (42-28-4-2) who moved back into a three-way tie with Houston and San Antonio for third place in the West Division. Houston (42-27-2-4) will have a chance to clinch a spot in the post-season tomorrow when they take on the Peoria Rivermen at 3:00 p.m.

Box Score

Center Adrian Foster gave the Aeros a short-lived 1-0 lead in the first period when he took a centering feed from Morten Madsen and lifted it over the blocker of Rinne. The goal came at the 11:12 mark of the period, but Milwaukee answered on the following shift just 13 seconds later. It was Houston’s first shot in the opening period and they only managed a total of five.

On the ensuing shift, center Mike Santorelli came streaking into the Houston zone, slapped a shot off goaltender Barry Brust’s leg pad and Matt Ellison was there to bang in the rebound to tie the game at one.

The teams remained tied until the 13:48 mark of the second period when Andreas Thuresson picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone, skated down the left wing on an odd-man rush and beat Brust glove side.

Houston began to generate more offense in the third period and had three power play opportunities in the final stanza. Admirals’ defenseman Mark Matheson was whistled twice for hooking and Bryan Schmidt was called for an elbow to give the Aeros three separate opportunities to tie the game. Rinne held strong in net and blocked all 11 of the Aeros shots in the final period. Houston pulled their goaltender with two minutes remaining in favor of a six-on-four situation, but couldn’t score the equalizer.

Milwaukee moved into a three-way tie with the Aeros and the San Antonio Rampage with the 2-1 victory. All three teams now have 90 points.  Houston and San Antonio each have five games remaining on the schedule and Milwaukee has four. All of Milwaukee’s remaining games are against the Aeros or Rampage.

Come celebrate Fan Appreciation weekend during the final 2 regular season home games. Saturday, April 12th at 7:35 p.m. and Sunday  April 13th at 4:05 p.m. This is your last chance to see your Aeros in action during the regular season.

Saturday, April 12- The first 3,000 fans will receive Houston Aeros Thuderstix! Aeros Spring Four Packs are available starting at just $44.

Sunday, April 13- The last Aeros Family Day. Get four tickets, four Aeros gifts, $20 in Toyota Bucks and free parking, all starting at just $67. As an added bonus the first 3,000 fans receive Houston Aeros Rally Towels!

All of these offers are exclusive to the Aeros front office and can be purchased by calling (713) 974-PUCK.

Notes:
- The game only marked the fourth regulation loss this season when the Aeros score the first goal and first since a December 14th loss to the Springfield Falcons. Houston is now 32-4-1-2 this season when scoring the first goal.
- Houston’s magic number to reach the playoffs is one point. They play Peoria Sunday afternoon and can clinch with a win or overtime/shootout loss.
- Goatender Barry Brust lost just his fifth game in his last 19 decisions.
- Left wing Ryan Hamilton’s three-game goal scoring streak came to an end. He had five goals in the previous three games for Houston and the streak tied his and the team’s longest such streak of the season.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --