AEROS POSTGAME REPORT
MARCH 15, 2011: HOU 3, MIL 2 (OT)

HOUSTON --- Robbie Earl scored the deciding goal 1:25 into overtime, Patrick O’Sullivan scored twice and Matt Hackett made 25 saves as the Houston Aeros edged the Milwaukee Admirals 3-2 on Tuesday night at Toyota Center.

The Houston victory, coupled with Milwaukee earning an overtime point, pulled the teams into a tie for first place in the AHL’s West Division.

Milwaukee’s Gabriel Bourque scored twice, both times on the power play. His first broke a scoreless deadlock in the second period at 13:33.

O’Sullivan evened the score with 47 seconds left in the middle stanza. His 15th goal, on the power play, was assisted by Chad Rau and Maxim Noreau. Rau and Noreau each had two assists for Houston, including the helpers on Earl’s game-winner. O’Sullivan has at least a point in all but five of his 26 games in an Aeros sweater this season.

After Bourque gave the Admirals a 2-1 advantage at 8:37 of the third period, O’Sullivan responded again. This time, his shot from the center ice dot found its way past Milwaukee goaltender Mark Dekanich just six seconds after the Admirals had regained the lead.

The Aeros return home on Saturday night when they host the San Antonio Rampage at 7:35 p.m.

Call 713-974-7825 (PUCK) for more information on Aeros tickets and other promotions.

BOMB DROPPINGS
The Aeros wore their road green uniforms tonight… Every game this season between the Aeros and Admirals has been decided by one goal… The Aeros have 10 games remaining with six of those games at home. All 10 are against West Division rivals… Houston and Milwaukee face off once more, on April 1, at Milwaukee… O’Sullivan’s second goal came 15 seconds after the Admirals took a 2-1 lead. Surprisingly, it’s not the fastest the Aeros and an opponent has traded goals this season. Abbotsford’s Lance Bouma and Houston’s Carson McMillan exchanged tallies just 14 seconds apart on Jan. 28. The team record is six seconds apart when Wes Walz of Long Beach and Mark Lamb of Houston second period goals on Oct. 25, 1999.

DECIDING GOAL
Earl (1:25, OT)

POWER PLAYS
HOU: 1/6
MIL: 2/3

GOALIES
HOU: Hackett (25/27, W)
MIL: Dekanich (24/27, OTL)

TEAM RECORDS
HOU: 39-25-1-5
MIL: 36-18-5-7

AEROS STARTERS
F – Wellman, DiSalvatore, O’Sullivan
D – Noreau, Bagnall
G - Hackett

AEROS SCRATCHES
Fraser, Penner, Gillies, Campbell, Kassian, Broda, Cuma

NEXT GAME
March 19 vs. SA, 7:35 p.m.