FRIDAY, FEB. 25, 2011
HOUSTON AEROS (33-22-1-4) vs. TEXAS STARS (32-20-3-3)   
TOYOTA CENTER (7:35 p.m. CST)

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OVERVIEW
The Aeros play host to the Texas Stars in the 10th of 12 meetings this season between the teams. For Houston, it begins another three-in-three weekend, their 10th of the season. It also kicks off a busy run of seven games in 10 days. The Aeros are coming off a 5-4 loss to the Milwaukee Admirals on Tuesday night while Texas was handed a 5-2 defeat at Peoria on Wednesday.

WHERE THEY STAND
The Aeros, with 71 points, are tied with Peoria for the No.2 spot in the West Division race. Texas is one point behind the Aeros in sole possession of third place. Including tonight, Houston has 20 games left in the regular season while Texas has 22.

WHAT THE GAME MEANS
An Aeros win creates a small cushion between themselves and the Stars, while a regulation win by the Stars moves them one point ahead of the Aeros in the West Division standings.

SERIES NOTES
Houston is 8-1-0-0 vs. Texas this season and has won five straight… The last two games were 4-1 victories for the Aeros on Feb. 4 and Feb. 8… The Aeros have outscored the Stars 12-5 in the third period… Houston’s power play is 10/35 (28.6%) vs. the Stars.

 NHL AFFILIATES
Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild) --- The Wild is 32-23-6 with 70 points and is locked in a five-way points tie in the Western Conference. The Wild sits in the No. 6 spot in the Conference and is tied for the No. 2 spot in the Northwest Division.
Texas Stars (Dallas Stars) --- Dallas is 32-23-6 and is tied with five other teams, including the Wild, with 70 points.

AEROS UPCOMING GAMES
Feb. 26 at OKC, 7:05 p.m.
Feb. 27 vs. RFD, 5:05 p.m.
March 2 vs. RFD, 7:05 p.m.
March 4 vs. SYR, 7:35 p.m.
March 5 at TEX, 7:30 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…………………………………….T2/West Division
RECORD……………………………………….33-22-1-4, 71 pts.
HOME……………………………………………………15-9-1-1
ROAD…………………………………………………...18-13-0-3
STREAK………..…………………………………………LOST 1

AEROS SPECIAL TEAMS
PP: 16.5% (20TH)………………………………PK: 83.7% (14TH)
PPG: 45………….………………………………………..SHG: 5
 
AEROS LEADERS
Points…………………………………………….DiSalvatore (40)
Goals……………………………………………………..Earl (16)
Assists…………………………………...DiSalvatore/Noreau (27)
PPG……………………………………………………Almond (7)
PP-Pts…………………………………………………Noreau (20)
SHG…………………………………………………McMillan (3)
SH-Pts…………………………….............................McMillan (4) PIM…………………………………………………Kassian (118)

NOTABLES
•    Warren Peters was recalled by MIN this morning while Nate Prosser was reassigned to the Aeros from the Wild.
•    Houston’s next win will equal their total from last season.
•    Maxim Noreau’s next goal will be his 50th as a pro. He leads the team with 10 multi-point games.
•    Since Jan. 1, Houston is 15-5-0-2.
•    All 33 of Houston’s wins have come when the team allows three or fewer goals.
•    27 of Houston’s wins have come when they score the first goal.
•    The Aeros won their 30th game of the 2010-11 season on Feb. 8 at TEX in their 53rd game. Last season, it took the club 71 games to win 30 overall (March 26).
•    Houston’s 60 games played is tied for second-most in the AHL behind Lake Erie (61).

AEROS GOALIES --- Anton Khudobin is 18-12-1 with a 2.57 GAA and .910 SV%. He had won six straight games until suffering three straight losses Feb. 13-22... Matt Hackett is 13-11-3 with a 2.38 GAA and .915 SV%. He is 3-1-1 in his last five decisions.

SCORING STREAKS
•    DiSalvatore; 6 games (2-4-6)... 15 of 17 (6-13-19)
•    O’Sullivan; 3 games (3-2-5)... 14 of 16 as an Aero this season (11-8-19)
•    Prosser, Rau, Peters, Noreau, Falk; 2 games.

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.