From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
December 3, 2007

AEROS HEAD OUT ON SEVEN-GAME ROAD TRIP

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros (10-10-1-1) lost two road games to Iowa and Rockford before coming home and winning two consecutive overtime games over Peoria and Grand Rapids. Houston is currently tied with Peoria for seventh in the West Division with 22 points. The Aeros embark on a seven-game road trip starting this Friday in Manitoba, it is their second longest road trip of the season counting games, but longest in terms of days in between home games.

FRI, at MTB, 7:30 p.m. and SAT, at MTB, 7:30 p.m.
The Manitoba Moose (13-7-2-0) host the Aeros for the only two games in Manitoba this season. The teams will meet a total of four times including two in Houston in January. The Aeros and Moose are quite accustomed to each other having played a total of 72 games all-time. Houston is 40-21-10-1 against the Moose all-time and 20-11-5-0 on the road. The Aeros went 3-1-0-0 against the Moose last season including two wins at the MTS Centre. The Moose are the primary affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks.  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.

Announcements / Events
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.

Practice Schedule
03-Dec-07, Monday, SLICE, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
04-Dec-07, Tuesday, SLICE, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
05-Dec-07, Wednesday, Aeros Charity Golf Outing
06-Dec-07 , Aeros Travel Day


Aeros Player of the Week: Maxim Noreau

11/27 at IOW, 0-0=0, Plus-one rating
11/28 at RFD, 0-0=0, two shots on goal
11/30 vs. PEO, 1-0=1, First pro goal
12/1 vs. GRA, 1-0=1, Go-ahead goal in third period, second goal in as many nights
D Maxim Noreau scored his first professional goal in overtime on Friday night in the Aeros 1-0 victory over the Peoria Rivermen. It was a power play goal on a blast through traffic from the point. Noreau added his second goal, the go-ahead goal in the third period the following night against the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Team Notes

• The Aeros won two consecutive games in OT at home on Friday and Saturday nights. Both winning goals were very similar as D Paul Albers and C Steve Kelly assisted on a right-handed defenseman’s slapshot. D Maxim Noreau and D Jon Awe had the game-winning goals, both of which were on the power play.
• The Aeros embark on their second longest road trip of the season (seven games) starting Friday night in Manitoba. Houston will travel to Manitoba, Hartford, Springfield, Worcester, Providence and Iowa. The 21-day break between home games is the longest of the season. They do not play again at home until December 22nd against the Springfield Falcons. 
• G Nolan Schaefer had the Aeros’ first shutout of the season Friday night against Peoria stopping 26 shots. Schaefer has won three straight games he has started in net including two overtime wins. He has stopped 70 of 74 shots in those three wins for a save percentage of .946. 
• Grand Rapids goal at the 18:21 mark of the first period on Saturday night ended the Aeros longest shutout sequence of the season. Houston had not given up a goal in almost six periods ending the streak at 119:39.
  

Affiliation News
Minnesota defeated the Vancouver Canucks Sunday night, 2-1, to take the lead in the Northwest Division. LW Aaron Voros scored the game-winning goal with 3:15 remaining in the second period and G Niklas Backstrom stopped 19 of 20 shots in the win.  The Wild (15-9-2) have won four straight games and leads the Northwest Division by two points over Vancouver. Minnesota hosts the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night before heading out on a five-game road trip.

The Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL went 2-0-0-1 in three games last week, all against the Gwinnett Gladiators. The Wildcatters (14-2-0-4) have a league-leading 32 points and hold a six-point lead in the South Division over Florida.

LAST WEEK
11/27 - HOU 2 at IOW 3 – L
11/28 - HOU 0 at RFD 3 – L
11/30 – HOU 1 vs. PEO 0 – W (OT)
12/1 - HOU 4 vs. GRA 3 - W (OT)

Tuesday, November 27: The Aeros gave up two power-play goals and only drew three penalties in a 3-2 loss to the Iowa Stars (10-10-1-0) in front of 2,109 fans in Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday night. Aeros' RW Petr Kalus and C Troy Riddle marked the Aeros goals and net-minder Barry Brust (5-6-1) stopped 22 of 25 shots on net in the loss.

Wednesday, November 28: The Rockford IceHogs shutout the Houston Aeros Wednesday night 3-0 at the Rockford MetroCentre. Right wing Kris Versteeg scored a pair of goals and goaltender Corey Crawford stopped all 20 shots he faced as the IceHogs improved their record to 2-0 against the Aeros.

Friday, November 30: 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 and D Maxim Noreau scored his first professional goal, a power play game-winning goal just 50 seconds into the extra frame.

Saturday, December 1: Houston 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. 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. Winning goaltender Nolan Schaefer (5-4-0-0) stopped 25 of 28 shots and Houston capitalized on two of the seven power-play opportunities in the game.