From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
LEGACE STOPS 28 SHOTS IN 2-1 VICTORY FOR PEORIA
PEORIA, Ill. – Manny Legace stopped 28 of 29 shots and Justin Filewich tallied the game-winning goal as the Peoria Rivermen defeated the Houston Aeros Saturday night in Game Six of the West Division Semifinals. Peoria scored two unanswered goals to come from behind and force a Game 7 Monday night at Carver Arena in Peoria. Tune in live to KNTH 1070-AM or watch with other Aeros fans at Maple Leaf Pub on Monday night as the Aeros battle to stay alive in the 2009 Calder Cup playoffs.
GAMESHEET
The teams started at a frantic pace for the first five minutes of the game with a lot of up and down action. Houston started to take the momentum at the 7:49 mark when Krys Kolanos had a breakaway chance on Peoria’s netminder Manny Legace, but Kolanos was unable to score on his wrist shot. The Aeros continued the pressure and had another good scoring chance when Corey Locke centered a pass to Matt Beaudoin at the 9:02 mark, but again the visitors couldn’t convert. The Rivermen then had their chance on two power plays, but Houston killed both and only allowed Peoria five total shots in the period. Houston earned their first power play chance with 1:35 remaining in the period, but couldn’t convert either. After one period, the Aeros held a 13-5 shot advantage, but the game was scoreless for the third time of the series.
Peoria killed the final 25 seconds of the Aeros’ power play to start the second period, but the home team took their second straight penalty halfway through the middle frame and Houston took advantage. From the right wing wall, John Lammers backhanded a pass to Locke who skated in on Legace from just above the goal line. Locke made a cross-crease pass to Beaudoin who lifted the puck over the right leg of Legace to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The goal came at the 11:36 mark of the period and the assist for Lammers marked his first Calder Cup playoff point.
At the 18:37 mark of the second period, Trent Whitfield tied the game 1-1 on the team’s 10th shot of the game. Chris Porter skated down the left wing and centered a pass to Whitfield as he was streaking down the left slot, Whitfield tipped the puck over the left shoulder of Khudobin far corner for his second goal of the series. Houston again outshot Peoria 12-6 in the period and the Aeros held a 25-11 shot advantage through two periods, but the team’s entered the third period tied for the first time in the series.
The Aeros were whistled for two penalties consecutively to start the third period. Houston’s power play stopped both man advantages, but just as Locke came out of the box, the Rivermen scored the game-winning goal. Filewich took a pass from Danny Richmond who was behind the net, and Aeros’ goaltender Anton Khudobin didn’t know which side the puck came from and Filewich batted the puck into the open net for the game winner. Houston continued to take penalties in the third period, and never had a chance to regain the momentum. Houston was in the penalty box for a total of 11:15 in the third period and were outshot 13-4 in the third.
The Aeros penalty kill unit killed all eight of Peoria's power plays, and converted on one of six chances. Houston outshot the Rivermen 29-24 in the game, but fell short.
Game Seven is scheduled for Monday night at 7:00 p.m. at Carver Arena. Tune into Joe O'Donnell on KNTH 1070-AM or watch live online on AHLLIVE.com.
-- HOUSTON AEROS: The Calder Cup, Our Reason -- |
