CEDAR PARK, Texas --- The Houston Aeros battled back from a 3-0 deficit and scored twice on the power play but fell short for the first time in four meetings with the Texas Stars Wednesday night in a 5-3 final front of 4,489 at the Cedar Park Center.

The Stars scored three times in the first period and twice more in the second while goalie Richard Bachman made 20 saves in the win.

BOXSCORE

The Aeros were down 3-0 by the 16:46 mark of the first on a pair of goals by Aaron Gagnon and another by Ondrej Roman. Roman opened the scoring at 9:29 with a power play tally and Gagnon followed up with goals 3:52 apart to stake the Stars to the lead. Gagnon’s second goal sent Anton Khudobin to the bench after allowing three goals on eight shots. Matt Hackett entered the game and finished up with 20 saves on 22 shots in 43:02 of action

Maxim Noreau and Jon DiSalvatore each scored power play goals for the Aeros and Jean-Michel Daoust added a goal in the third. Daoust (1-2-3) factored into all three Houston goals while DiSalvatore and Noreau collected a goal and a helper each.

Fabian Brunnstrom gave Texas (10-8-0-0) their second three-goal lead, and collected the eventual deciding goal, at the 3:59 mark of the middle stanza.

A Colton Gillies boarding major with 2:29 left in the second opened the door for the Stars to take control. Travis Morin made good at 19:17 to give the Stars a 5-2 lead heading into the final 20 minutes, but Hackett and the Aeros were able to smother the remainder of the penalty.

The Aeros (10-8-1-2) return home for a pair of games Friday (vs. San Antonio) and Saturday (Milwaukee), both at 7:35 p.m.

Get Center Ice seats, normally $38, for just $25 for each home game. On Saturday the first 2500 fans get Aeros cowbells. Call 713-974-7825 for more ticket information.

Follow the Aeros all season long on 1070 KNTH, online at AEROS.COM or watch live games by visiting AHLLIVE.COM.

AEROS STARTERS: Scandella, Wellman, Palmer, Peters, Noreau, Khudobin

AEROS SCRATCHES: Zingoni, Rau, Lampman, Broda, Cuma

BOMB DROPPINGS: The teams combined for four first period goals, marking the second time that's occurred this season. The previous time was a 5-2 loss at San Antonio on Oct. 29...The Aeros allowed three first period goals, marking the first time that has happened this season...Houston’s four first period shots were a season low in the first 20 minutes and tied an overall season low…Noreau’s goal was his sixth of the season and fourth with the man advantage.

 --AEROS.COM--