From:
Ryan StanzelDirector of Communications
Sunday, February 18, 2007
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Wolves 8, Aeros 0 Official Box Score HOUSTON, Texas – Steve Martins posted a goal and three assists, Colin Stuart scored twice and Michael Garnett stopped 20 shots for his second shutout, leading the Chicago Wolves to an 8-0 rout of the Houston Aeros at Toyota Center. Brad Schell, Andre Deveaux, Darren Haydar, Nathan Oystrick and Derek MacKenzie each scored a goal, and former Aero Cory Larose notched two assists for first-place Chicago (35-16-2-5), which avenged a 4-1 loss at Toyota Center last night. The Wolves improved to 9-2-1-3 in their last 15 games.
Dieter Kochan made five saves on eight shots before being replaced for Houston (21-26-3-5), which fell 10 points behind Peoria for the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division. The Aeros suffered their worst shutout loss ever.
The Aeros continue a five-game homestand Thursday and Friday against Iowa. Thursday is an Aeros Happy Hour deal, presented by The Maple Leaf Pub. Get a center ice ticket, $10 in Toyota Bucks and free parking, all for just $32! The package is also available in the lower endzone for $23. Call 713.974.PUCK on Monday to order, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Houston was blanked 7-0 twice, including at Cleveland on December 5, 2001. The Aeros were defeated 6-0 at home three times. Grand Rapids did it last on February 23, 2003, at Compaq Center.
Chicago got 1:48 of a 5-on-3 in the opening minutes after a hooking call to Clayton Stoner and a delay of game call to Kochan. Martins had a great chance to get his team on the board, but whiffed at an open net at the far post.
Kochan was then dynamite with a glove save on Larose’s left point blast. But Oystrick’s 12th of the season put Chicago on top 1-0 with 4:55 gone in the first. Deep in the right circle, Oystrick took a feed from Larose and ripped a shot on net. The puck was slowed down by an Aeros defenseman, and trickled past Kochan and into the net.
Deveaux’s fourth goal extended the advantage to 2-0 with 9:15 remaining in the first. He took a pass from Martins behind the net and wrapped it around the far corner and by Kochan.
Schell’s first goal in two games with Chicago this season made it 3-0 just 58 seconds later. Taking a pass from MacKenzie, Schell stepped across the blueline on the right wing side and fired a long shot by Kochan.
Garnett did the splits to prevent a power play goal by Matt Foy with 1:09 left in the first. Foy took Curtis Murphy’s rebound off the end boards and shot from a hard angle, but Garnett shot his right leg out.
Chicago dominated the second period even more, outshooting Houston 22-5 with the help of two more minute-long 5-on-3’s.
After the first one expired, Haydar’s 31st goal – with Chicago still on the power play – made it 4-0 Chicago 1:33 into the second.
Six seconds after Haydar’s goal, Aeros veteran winger Joey Tetarenko went after Boris Valabik, who backed down from a last-minute fight with John Scott last night. But Tetarenko picked up the instigator penalty and a 10-minute misconduct.
Martins picked Shawn Belle’s pocket at the blueline and scored after Miroslav Kopriva pokechecked the original shot away.
Stuart finished an odd-man rush with Martins with 2:18 gone in the third for a 6-0 margin.
Aeros rookie Danny Irmen had a clear breakaway with 6:25 remaining but the puck rolled off his stick.
MacKenzie padded the lead with a goal with 2:03 left, and Stuart got his second of the night with 17 seconds remaining.
Houston finished 0-for-4 on the power play, while Chicago went 2-for-11. The Wolves got the game’s last five power plays.
Notes:
Not dressing for the Aeros were Peter Ratchuk, Ryan Hamilton, Mattias Weinhandl and Chris Ovington.
The Aeros fell to 4-2-1-0 in their last seven games.
Houston is 12-12-1-3 at home.
The Aeros are 3-11-2-1 this season in games in which goalie Josh Harding doesn’t play. Harding remains on recall to NHL Minnesota. Harding played the third period tonight in St. Louis after Niklas Backstrom allowed five goals in 40 minutes. 
