aeros.com: Archive News

RIVERMEN TOP AEROS 2-1

By:

From: Robert Desimone, Communications Manager
(713) 361-7920
Palmer Hestley, Asst. Communications Manager
(713) 361-7930
December 11, 2009

AEROS HOST DIVISION RIVAL ROCKFORD SUNDAY

    HOUSTON – D Tyson Strachan scored the game-winning-goal 4:30 into the third period and G Ben Bishop (9-4-1) made 23 saves as the Peoria Rivermen (14-10-1-2) topped the Houston Aeros (12-12-2-1) 2-1 Friday in front of 5,110 at Toyota Center. C Andy Hilbert scored the lone goal for the Aeros while G Anton Khudobin (9-7-1) made 27 saves in the loss.

    BOXSCORE

    The Rivermen took a 1-0 lead 4:45 into the game when RW Barry Tallackson’s wrister from the left circle beat Khudobin glove-side; D Steve Wagner and former Aeros LW Mitch Love got the helpers. The Aeros out-shot Peoria 6-3 in the frame while coming up empty handed on three power play opportunities.

    After failing to score on their first four power plays the Aeros finally got on board off a 5-on-3 man advantage when Hilbert cleaned up D Maxim Noreau’s right point bid at the 17:30 mark of the second period; D Ryan Gunderson was also credited with an assist. The goal, Hilbert’s third of the season, extended his point streak to three games (1-3=4).

     Strachan then gave Peoria the lead for good with his first goal of the season early in the third period. The Aeros would have an opportunity to answer when C Lars Eller was sentenced to two minutes for hooking at 6:01, but Houston again couldn’t find the net on the man advantage. The Aeros looked to regain momentum late in the period but were forced to kill two penalties in the final 7:25.

    “The difference in the game for me is we needed to get a little bit more out of our power plays. It took us a 5-on-3 to score,” said head coach Kevin Constantine. “But that’s what you think if you sat after seven days off, what part of your game is going to be rustiest? It’s always your touch with the puck, your ability to make plays, and the speed at which games are played.”

    The Rivermen out-shot the Aeros 29-24 on the night. Houston was 1-for-7 on the power play and went a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. The Aeros drop to 6-7-1-0 at home on the season and lost for the first time in regulation when tied or leading when heading into the third period (6-1-2-1).

    “Our record at home is not as good as our record on the road,” Constantine said. “We want to be better at home and tonight was our first test and we got a bunch more coming. So we’re very aware of that and we’re working hard and trying to do what we can do to win games at home.”

    The Aeros are back in action Sunday against division rival Rockford. Puck drop between the Aeros and IceHogs is set for 4:05 p.m. Listen to the game in progress beginning at 5 p.m. on 1070 AM-KNTH and in its entirety on ahllive.com. Follow the in-game blog at zamchron.com.

    Joe O'Donnell Calls of the Game:
    Andy Hilbert PPG

-- HOUSTON AEROS --

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