From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
February 19, 2009
AEROS POWER PLAY BOOSTS TEAM PAST IOWA IN 4-3 VICTORY
HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros’ won a season-high fifth game in a row with a 4-3 victory over the Iowa Chops Thursday night in front of 3,339 at Toyota Center. Houston (27-21-1-8) converted on four-of-six power-play chances and held at third place in the West Division. Iowa (25-22-3-6) are now winless in their last six games and stay in town for a 7:35 p.m. tilt Saturday night. The first 3,000 fans inside Toyota Center for Saturday’s contest will get an Aeros Rally Towel and tickets are still available by calling (866) GO-AEROS or by stopping at the Toyota Center Box Office before the game.
GAMESHEET
Houston pressured the Chops early in the first period but the home team couldn’t get the first goal. Aeros’ right wing Jesse Schultz took a penalty at the 7:34 mark giving Iowa the first power play of the game, but the Chops didn’t capitalize and Houston earned their first man-advantage with four seconds left in the Chops power play. After Houston couldn’t convert on their first opportunity, they had a second chance directly after but finished the period 0-for-2 on power-play chances.
The Aeros tied the game over halfway into the second period in the team’s third power-play chance of the night, their seventh straight game with a power-play goal. John Lammers set the play up with a pass to Corey Locke near the right wing faceoff circle. Locke danced with the puck before finding an open Matt Beaudoin who blindly back handed the puck top shelf over glove of Levasseur from directly in front of the crease.
Houston took a 2-1 second-period lead only 3:27 after the Aeros’ first goal. Krys Kolanos took a cross-ice pass from Locke and snapped the shot from the top of the left-wing faceoff circle into the net. Iowa tied the contest only 54 seconds later when Eric Boguniecki tipped a shot by Charlie Kronschnabel past Schaefer to tie the contest at two apiece before the second intermission.
Iowa’s Matt Beleskey was called for a penalty late in the second period, giving Houston another power-play into the third period. The Aeros took advantage as Schultz shot the puck from the side of the net which deflected off the inside of Levasseur’s leg pad and in at 1:25 into the period. The goal extended Schultz’s goal-scoring streak to five games with six markers in that span, a season high for the Aeros and career high. Iowa tied the contest at three goals apiece when Drew Miller tallied his 20th goal of the season, an even-strength marker, at 6:14 into the final frame.
Just past the 15 minute mark of the third period John Lammers netted the Aeros’ fourth power-play goal of the night for a late 4-3 lead. The goal, coupled with his assist earlier in the contest, gave Lammers his first multiple-point game and second game-winning goal of the season. Iowa’s Levasseur was pulled with just over a minute to play in favor of the extra attacker in an attempt to tie the game against but Houston’s defense held on for the 4-3 victory.
Notes:
- Houston’s power play against the Chops this year is 14 for 28, a 50% conversion rate. They have had multiple power-play goals in four of the five games this season and are eight for eight in the last two games vs. Iowa.
- The Aeros now have two 20-goal scorers on the team after Krys Kolanos’ second period goal. Kolanos and Corey Locke each have 20 goals on the season. Houston had two 20-goal scorers last season, Joel Ward (21) and Ryan Hamilton (20).
- Corey Locke’s two assists extended his point streak to three games having scored six points (1-5=6) in the streak.
- Houston goaltender Nolan Schaefer earned his 99th professional win, 94 in the American Hockey League, five in the National Hockey League.
- Six Aeros extended point streaks: Jesse Schultz has a five-game goal streak with seven points (6-1=7), Benoit Pouliot extended his point streak to four with five points (1-4=5), Corey Locke extended his point streak to three games with six points (1-5=6), Kurtis Foster has a three game point streak with five assists, Krys Kolanos extended his streak three games with five points (1-4=5), Marco Rosa extended his streak to three games and three points (2-1=3).
-- HOUSTON AEROS: 15 Seasons, One Reason -- |
