From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Friday, December 28, 2007

AEROS DEFEAT QUAD CITY 4-3 IN NINTH ROUND OF SHOOTOUT

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros extended their current winning streak to four games with a 4-3 shootout win over the Quad City Flames in front of 3,573 fans at i Wireless Center. The shootout lasted through nine rounds as Aeros’ (17-12-1-2) left wing Benoit Pouliot netted the shootout-winning goal to defeat Quad City (15-14-1-4). Each team has one win in the season-series thus far.

Box Score

Houston was led in scoring by LW Ryan Hamilton and right wing Danny Irmen, each recording two assists. Flames’ RW David Van der Gulik netted a pair of goals and RW Grant Stevenson also recorded two points (1-1=2) to lead Quad City. Matt Keetley started in net for the Flames before being replaced by Brent Krahn at 5:41 in the second period after allowing two goals on nine shots. Krahn blocked 13 of 14 during 39:19 of game time plus 7 of 9 in the shootout. Aeros’ goaltender Nolan Schaefer blocked 29 of 32 shots on net plus eight of nine in the shootout.

The Aeros got on the board first as RW Cal Clutterbuck netted the team’s first power-play marker in over two games at 9:24 in the first period. The goal came 42 seconds into a 5-on-3 Houston advantage. Defensemen Erik Reitz and Paul Albers recorded the assists. The Flames outshot the Aeros 7-5 as Houston took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Houston center Serge Payer created a 2-0 lead netting his fourth goal of the season at 5:41 in the second period. Irmen and Hamilton recorded the assists. After Payer’s goal, Flames’ net-minder Keetley was chased from net and replaced by Krahn. Quad City didn’t lie down as Van der Gulik netted a pair of goals only 1:15 apart at 8:35 and 9:50 of the second period. RW Kris Chucko and D Adam Pardy recorded the assists on the first goal as C Krys Kolanos and RW Grant Stevenson helped on the second. The teams took to the locker room with a 2-2 tie.

After playing through over half of the third period D Maxim Noreau netted his third goal of his professional career at 12:36 in the final period. Hamilton and Irmen each recording their second assists of the evening. Stevenson answered back in the next shift tying the game back up at 13:01 with Kolanos and RW Carsen Germyn recording the assists. The remainder of the third period went scoreless and headed into overtime at three goals each.

The Aeros had a man advantage early in the extra session and after a couple close plays failed to convert on the power-play. The overtime was controlled by the Aeros but there was no resolution after the extra five minutes. Aero’s Kelly was the second shooter for Houston as he netted the first goal in the shootout. Flames' RW Tomi Maki netted the Flames’ lone shootout goal in the fifth round to keep them alive. The last shooter of the ninth round, Pouliot potted the shootout-winning goal giving the Aeros a 4-3 win.

The Aeros play again tomorrow night in San Antonio and can be heard live on AM-1070 KNTH and online at 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 ended his shutout streak at 160:19 of game time dating back to the win in Iowa Friday night when the Stars scored 8:16 into the third period. This marks the longest streak of the season.
- The nine rounds in the shootout marks the longest of all the Aeros shootouts this season.
- Schaefer leads the league with a .928 save percentage and ransk second wit ha 2.01 goals-against average.
- Schaefer also leads the league with four shootout wins having only allowed three goals in 26 attempts.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --