SATURDAY, FEB. 19, 2011
HOUSTON AEROS (32-21-1-4) AT ROCKFORD ICEHOGS (21-25-3-4)   
ROCKFORD METROCENTRE (7:05 p.m. CST)
OVERVIEW
The Houston Aeros close out their ninth three-in-three weekend of the season with a matchup at the Rockford MetroCentre against the IceHogs. The Aeros are winless in three games (0-2-0-1) and fell in a 2-1 shootout last night at Milwaukee. The IceHogs are coming off a 4-3 loss versus Chicago last night. They have just two wins in their last 13 games.

WHERE THEY STAND
The Aeros are tied for the West Division and Western Conference lead with Milwaukee. Houston’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Admirals allowed Milwaukee to even up the points race although the Aeros have two more wins (32) than the Ads. Rockford sits at the bottom of the West Division and Western Conference. Along with Albany and Worcester, they’ve played the fewest games (53) in the AHL.

WHAT THE GAME MEANS
The Aeros are tied for the West Division and Western Conference lead with Milwaukee. Both clubs have several teams, including San Antonio and Peoria, creeping up in the rearview mirror. The Rampage sits one point behind while Peoria is two points behind. Milwaukee and Peoria square off tonight at Peoria while San Antonio visits Hamilton.
 
NHL AFFILIATES
Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild) --- The Wild is 31-22-5 with 67 points and sits one point out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Wild is just four points behind the third place Phoenix.
Rockford IceHogs (Chicago Blackhawks) --- The Hawks (29-23-6) have 64 points and are 11th in the Western Conference.

AEROS UPCOMING GAMES
Feb. 22 vs. Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m.
Feb. 25 vs. Texas, 7:35 p.m.
Feb. 26 at OKC, 7:05 p.m.

BROADCAST INFO
Follow the Aeros on News Talk 1070 KNTH and online at AEROS.COM with Joe O’Donnell providing the play-by-play call. Watch every game at www.ahllive.com.

AEROS AT A GLANCE
STANDING…………………………………….T1/West Division
RECORD……………………………………….32-21-1-4, 69 pts.
HOME……………………………………………………15-8-1-1
ROAD…………………………………………………...17-13-0-3
STREAK…………………………………………WINLESS IN 3

AEROS SPECIAL TEAMS
PP: 17.0% (17TH)………………………………PK: 83.8% (13TH)
PPG: 44………….………………………………………..SHG: 4
 
AEROS LEADERS
Points…………………………………………….DiSalvatore (38)
Goals……………………………………………………..Earl (16)
Assists………………………………….......................Noreau (26)
PPG……………………………………………………Almond (7)
PP-Pts…………………………………………………Noreau (19)
SHG…………………………………………………McMillan (3)
SH-Pts…………………………….............................McMillan (4)
PIM…………………………………………………Kassian (118)


THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
·    The Aeros are winless in three games for the first time since a four-game losing streak from Dec. 15-21.
·    The Aeros set a season-high with their sixth consecutive win on Friday at Peoria.
·    Houston was 8-0-0-1 in nine games at Toyota Center until Feb. 17. Their home regulation unbeaten streak of nine games dated back to Dec. 26 and was snapped in their 3-1 loss to Peoria at Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota (the neutral site game was recorded as an Aeros home game).
·    All 32 of Houston’s wins have come when the team allows three or fewer goals.
·    26 of Houston’s wins have come when they score the first goal.
·    The Aeros won 10 games in the month of January, one win shy of a team record for victories in one month (10 games played or more).

AEROS GOALIES --- Anton Khudobin is 18-11-1 with a 2.48 GAA and .913 SV%. Khudobin has won seven of his last 10 starts and had a six-game winning streak snapped on Feb. 13… Matt Hackett is 12-11-3 with a 2.35 GAA and .916 SV%. He is 4-1-2 in his last seven decisions.

SCORING STREAKS ---
4 GAMES --- Jon DiSalvatore (1-3-4).

INJURY UPDATE --- Casey Wellman is out with an upper body injury but has been skating with the team… Tyler Cuma is out for the season with a knee injury suffered Feb. 13. 2011 vs. PEO.