From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Friday, November 30, 2007

AEROS DEFEAT PEORIA 1-0 IN OVERTIME IN GOALIE SHOWDOWN

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros capitalized on the eighth power-play opportunity of the game in the overtime for the 1-0 win over the Peoria Rivermen in front of 5,534 fans at Toyota Center Friday night. Goaltenders for both teams stood strong giving up zero goals throughout regulation as Houston (9-10-1-1) moved into a tie with Peoria (8-8-1-2) for seventh place in the West Division.

Houston plays game two of their back-to-back home-stand against Grand Rapids tomorrow night at 7:35 p.m. and the first 3,000 fans will receive Aeros fleece blankets. Tickets are still available by calling (713) 974-PUCK or online at Aeros.com.

Box Score

Houston’s goaltender Nolan Schaefer (4-4-0) faced 26 shots and stopped all of them in the Aeros first shutout of the season. Peoria’s Marek Schwarz (4-4-2) stopped 22 of 23 shots on net in the overtime-loss. Houston’s defenseman Maxim Noreau netted the game-winning power-play goal with center Steve Kelly and defensman Paul Albers were credited for the assists. Houston snapped a streak of going 0-for-20 on the power-play with the overtime power-play goal.

The first period was held scoreless as the Aeros out-shot Peoria 10-5. In the first two meetings of the season the Rivermen out-shot Houston by a total of 23-12 in the first session. Recent Aeros call-up LW Matt Kassian got the action started on the ice by dropping gloves with Peoria’s penalty-minute leader RW Hans Benson. Houston couldn’t capitalize on the three power-play opportunities in the period.

Peoria out-shot the Aeros this period 11-6, tying the total at 16 apiece. The Aeros fended off a 5-3 Rivermen power-play for the entire two minutes but failed to convert when the team was on a 5-3 advantage for 1:11. This marked the first Aeros game that neither team has scored through the first two-periods of play.

Schaefer made some dramatic saves throughout the third period as the Rivermen out-shot Houston 11-7. This marked only the second game in the league this season that a team has been scoreless throughout regulation. Only 35 seconds into overtime the Aeros were put on the power-play thanks to a slashing call on Peoria’s Micki DuPont. At 50 seconds into the extra session Aeros’ Noreau tipped in the game-winning goal. Kelly originally shot the puck from an Albers pass, both receiving assists on the marker.

Notes:
- The only other game in the AHL this season that has finished regulation scoreless was division rivals Chicago losing to Milwaukee in overtime on 10/27.
- Tonight’s game marked the seventh time in team history the Aeros had a 0-0 tie after regulation. Houston has two wins, two ties, one OT loss and two SOL.
- Maxim Noreau scored his first professional goal tonight, the power-play game-winner


Houston’s Starters
# 11 Steve Kelly – C
# 15 Petr Kalus – RW
# 19 Danny Irmen – RW
#4 Shawn Belle – D
#28 Brandon Rogers – D
#31 Nolan Schaefer – G

Houston’s Scratches
#5 Erik Reitz – D
#7 Clayton Stoner – D
#12 Ryan Hamilton – LW
#16 Peter Olvecky – LW
#27 Benoit Pouliot – LW
#39 Milan Gajic – C
#43 Serge Payer – C

Houston Aeros’ Holiday Stuffers is a great gift for the season. You get four vouchers, one additional free ticket, two free McDonald’s McSkillets and an Aeros puck starting at only $44, for more details see the flyer or call 713.974.PUCK.

Tomorrow night is the second of three dates for Houston Aeros Charities Toy Drive. The collection will take place at the charities table between sections 111 and 112. All those toys will be donated to the Houston Aeros Power Playroom at Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. Toys will also be collected at the December 22 game for the drive. Saturday is also Houston Aeros Charities Teddy Bear Toss. All the stuffed animals brought will be tossed onto the ice immediately following the first Aeros goal and donated to KHOU's Spirit of Texas Toy Drive.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --