The Aeros and Rampage meet for the eighth time this season tonight, 7:35 p.m. at Toyota Center. It's Bikini Night at the arena and the first 3,000 fans receive an Aeros beach towel. The Aeros have won four of their last five including a 2-1 OT win over the Rampage Dec. 16. San Antonio has won two of three since falling to the Aeros last week. The two clubs will not meet again until a home-and-home beginning March 3 in San Antonio before a 7:35 p.m. match-up at Toyota Center March 5.
Behind the Bench:
Mark LeRose
Gameday Audio:
Jon DiSalvatore
HEAD TO HEAD:
Record - Aeros: 16-13-2-1, 35 pts. (4th West), Rampage: 11-15-3-1, 26 pts. (7th West)
Goals For - Aeros: 79, 2.47/gm (25th AHL), Rampage: 79, 2.63/gm (20th AHL)
Goals Allowed - Aeros: 72, 2.25/gm (4th AHL), Rampage: 94, 3.13/gm (25th AHL)
Shots For - Aeros: 891, 27/84/gm (25th AHL), Rampage: 927, 30.9/gm (10th AHL)
Shots Against - Aeros: 768, 24/gm (1st AHL), Rampage: 897, 29.9/gm (15th AHL)
Power Play - 19/140, 13.6% (22nd AHL), Rampage 21/127, 16.5% (15th AHL)
Penalty Kill - 101/110, 91.8% (2nd AHL), Rampage 128/150, 85.3% (12th AHL)
Penalties - Aeros: 486 PIM, 15.19/gm (7th AHL), Rampage: 580, 19.33/gm (18th AHL)
Overtime - Aeros: 3-2, Rampage: 3-3
Shootout - Aeros: 2-1, Rampage: 0-1
AEROS NOTES:
Lone Star Faceoff - The Aeros can snag a share of the points lead in the Lone Star Faceoff with a win today against he Rampage. The Stars currently lead Houston 17 points to 15 with San Antonio in the third position at nine points.
In the Clutch - RW Jon DiSalvatore scored his team-leading third game-winning goal Sunday in a 5-3 win vs. Grand Rapids at Toyota Center. RW Danny Irmen, RW J-M Daoust and D Maxim Noreau each have two GWG.
Team Leaders - RW J-M Daoust leads the Aeros in goals (10) points (22) and is tied with Noreau for the club lead in assists with 12. LW Matt Kassian continues to pile up the PIM. His 73 PIM is 21 clear of D Clayton Stoner's 52.
Special Teams - The Aeros' penalty kill is ranked second among AHL teams stopping 101 of 110 chances (91.8%). Their nine PPG allowed is the fewest in the league. Sunday's victory over the Griffins was the first time the Aeros recorded two points when allowing a PPG (1-6-1-1).
"D" Up - The Aeros are one of the best defensive teams in the AHL. Their 2.25 goals against per game is fourth lowest in the league and their 24 shots allowed per game is the fewest in the league.
To the Max - D Maxim Noreau has recorded a point in 11 of his last 13 games including season-high seven-game point streak snapped Dec. 18 vs. TEX. Noreau rebounded with a two-goal effort Sunday vs. Grand Rapids.
Undefeated - The Aeros are undefeated when Irmen (5-0-0-0) or RW Duncan Milroy (4-0-0-0) light the lamp.
Milestones - D Brandon Rogers played his 300th game Sunday vs. Grand Rapids. DiSalvatore is one helper away from 200 career AHL assists. Head coach Kevin Constantine is one win away from his 100th behind the Aeros bench. Irmen is five points way from his 100th career AHL point.
RAMPAGE NOTES:
Double Trouble - The Rampage own winning records in both games of a back-to-back series. In the first game of a back-to-back match-up San Antonio owns a 6-4-1-0 record while in the second game they maintain a 5-2-2-1 record.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles - San Antonio owns a 1-4-2-1 record when traveling the day of a game this season in which five have ben decided by one goal.
On the Road Again - The Rampage recorded their 100th franchise road win in their eight-year history with a 2-1 win last Saturday (12/19) in Rockford.
Ray of Light - In 12 games since Ray Edwards became head coach of the Rampage (11/23), San Antono is averaging 11.92 PIM/gm, converting on 22% of their PP opportunities and killing 95% of their penalties.
On a Rampage - San Antonio center MacGregor Sharp has five points (2g, 3a) over his last seven games, right wing Matt Watkins has four points (2g, 2a) in his last six games and right wing Chad Kolarik has three points (1g, 2a) in his last three games.
Early Offense - Both San Antonio and Houston have exceptional record when scoring first. The Rampage are 8-3-1-0 when scoring before their opponents and the Aeros are 13-3-0-1.
Uneven Strength - Since their 6-1-1-0 start to the season, the Rampage have scored just 44 goals in their last 20 games. Of those 44 goals, only 32 have been scored at even strength.
