From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Saturday, December 1, 2007

HOUSTON AEROS WIN SECOND OVERTIME GAME IN AS MANY NIGHTS, DEFEAT GRIFFINS 4-3

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins 4-3 in overtime on a power-play goal in front of 8,039 fans at Toyota Center Saturday night. The Aeros (10-10-1-1) take to the road for the next seven games as Grand Rapids (7-12-1-2) heads to Milwaukee to play tomorrow night.

Aeros’ defenseman Jon Awe netted the game-winning goal, his first goal of the season. Center Steve Kelly led Houston with two points from two assists in the game. Grand Rapids’ center Ryan Oulahen led the team with two points (one goal, one assist). Winning goaltender Nolan Schaefer (5-4-0-0) stopped 25 of 28 shots and Griffins’ Adam Berkhoel (2-5-1) blocked 25 of 29 shots in the loss. Houston capitalized on two of the seven power-play opportunities in the game as the Griffins netted one in four chances.

Box Score

Griffins’ LW Mike Walsh went to the box for interference just three seconds into the game. Houston was unable to manage a shot on the ensuing power play. The first shot for either team didn’t come until the fourth minute of the game. Houston hadn’t allowed a goal in the previous five-plus periods until RW Jamie Tardif scored his sixth goal of the season jamming in a rebound under the equipment of Aeros’ Schaefer. D Tom Galvin and C Mark Cullen earned the assists on the play. The goal came at 18:21 of the first ending the Aeros’ longest shutout sequence of the season at 119:39. Grand Rapids outshot Houston 12-5 in the period and took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Exactly five minutes into the second period, Houston’s C Morten Madsen attempted a backdoor pass to RW Danny Irmen, but it deflected off a defenseman’s skate and into the back of the net. It was Madsen’s second goal of the season and LW Petr Kalus picked up his fifth assist on the play. Grand Rapids quickly took the lead back when Oulahen one-timed a pass from RW Carl Corazzini past the left leg pad of Schaefer. The goal came just 34 seconds after the Aeros’ had tied it at one. Houston returned the pressure and it paid off at the 15:30 mark when RW Joel Ward picked up a lose puck in the slot amidst a flurry of players and snapped a wrist shot past Griffins’ Berkhoel. It was Ward’s fourth goal of the season on assists from Kelly and C Adrian Foster. Houston outshot the Griffins 13-6 in the period and the teams remained tied at two going into the final frame.

Aeros’ Noreau marked the second goal, a power-play marker, of his pro-career at 4:57 in the third period after netting his first last night. Only 24 seconds into the man-advantage Noreau received a pass from LW Ryan Hamilton at the top of the circle and fired a hard wrist shot into the back of the net. Center Troy Riddle was also credited with an assist on the goal. Griffins’ Evan McGrath tied the game at threes at 14:02 in the final period which would take the game into overtime. Right wing Brett Engelhardt and Oulahen marked the assists.

Only 27 seconds into the extra session Houston was put on the power-play. Awe blasted the overtime power-play goal at 1:30, his first marker of the season. Defensman Paul Albers and Kelly were credited with the game-winning assists.

The Aeros can be heard on AM 1070 KNTH or online at Aeros.com with Jason Shaver calling the play-by-play throughout their extended road trip. The team returns home on December 22 to face Springfield on the third and final night of Houston Aeros Charities Toy Drive.

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.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --