From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
December 26, 2007

AEROS EARN 2-0 SHUTOUT OVER SAN ANTONIO

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros shutout the San Antonio Rampage in the 2-0 win in front of 7,274 fans at Toyota Center Wednesday night. The win marks the third straight win over the Rampage as the Aeros have outscored the team 10-2 in those contests.

Box Score

Goaltender Nolan Schaefer earned his third shutout of the season, second in a row, when blocking 26 shots on net. Rampage net-minder Josh Trodjman knocked away 22 of 24 shots in the loss. Center Steve Kelly recorded the game-winning goal for the Aeros for his seventh goal this year.

The first period went scoreless marking the second time this season these teams haven’t posted in the first session. Each goalie knocked aside eight shots a peice. Houston killed the lone power-play against but failed to convert on two man-advantages.

The Aeros got on the board first as Kelly netted his seventh goal of the season at 1:53 into the second period. The goal extended his point-streak to five games, having scored one goal and three assists prior to tonight. RW Danny Irmen and C Morten Madsen earned the assists. Moments after time expired on a Houston power-play center Adrian Foster led a break-away, passed the puck cross-ice to LW Peter Olvecky who passed back to LW Benoit Pouliot who slammed the puck home with 2.8 seconds left in the second period. Schaefer blocked all ten shots against the Aeros net as the team took the 2-0 lead to the locker room.

The third period doubled the penalty total for the game. A total of nine penalties were called in the final session, five on the Aeros, four against the Rampage. For the second game in a row neither team scored on the man-advantage. As the clock ticked away Schaefer knocked away all eight shots against en route to the 2-0 Aeros win. The win marks Schaefer’s third shutout of the season.

The Houston Aeros take to the road Friday night as the team kicks off the four-game stretch in Quad City at 7:05 p.m. All the action can be heard on AM-1070 KNTH or on Aeros.com.

The Aeros return home in the New Year on January 4, 2008 to face the Iowa Stars in a 7:35 p.m. start. The Stars stay in town and play again on Sunday for another Aeros Family Game which includes special ticket pricing. Aeros Holiday Stuffers are still available so don’t miss out on these great deals for the season!

Notes:
- Aeros’ goaltender Nolan Schaefer extended his shutout streak to a total of 131:44 of game time dating back to the win in Iowa Friday night when the Stars scored 8:16 into the third period.
- The Houston Aeros are 3-0 vs. San Antonio in last three games and outscored the Rampage 10-2 in that stretch.
- The shutout marks the third time Schaefer has done so against San Antonio in his career. This also marks 11th career AHL shutout.
- Center Steve Kelly’s goal extended his point-streak to five games totaling five points (2-3=5)

-- HOUSTON AEROS --