From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Saturday, December 29, 2007

AEROS BOWLED OVER BY SAN ANTONIO, 6-1

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Houston Aeros couldn’t find their feet as the San Antonio Rampage defeated the Aeros 6-1 in front of 5,403 fans at AT&T Center. The Rampage (19-11-2-3) ended the Houston (17-13-1-2) four-game winning-streak, the second longest of the season for the Aeros. Houston will travel to Iowa to play on Monday night.

Box Score

Rampage goaltender Josh Tordjman recorded 30 blocks on 31 shots in the win as Aeros net-minder Barry Brust stopped 31 of 37 shots-on-net in the loss. San Antonio left wing Matt Murley led the way with three points (1-2=3) including the game-winning goal. Aeros right wing Joel Ward recorded the team’s only goal. The Rampage converted on one of five power-play opportunities as the Aeros failed to convert on three chances.

San Antonio came out quickly as RW Nate DiCasmiro netted the games first goal only 1:10 into the first period. LW Josh Gratton and RW Cam Paddock marked the assists on the early goal. Aeros’ Ward earned his keep as be fought traffic in front of the Rampage net dumping the puck past Tordjman for the tying goal. Centers Adrian Foster and Marco Rosa set the puck up for Ward’s marker. The Aeros outshot San Antonio 12-11 in the first period as the teams headed into the first break with a 1-1 tie.

The second frame was all San Antonio. Not quite halfway through the second period Murley potted his sixth goal of the season for the go-ahead goal. LW Chris Durno and LW David Spina earned the assists on the Murley goal at 9:07 in the period. Gratton added an power-play goal at 11:48 as Murley recorded his second point on the night with the helper. C Joey Tenute also assisted on that goal. The scoring didn’t end until Paddock netted his sixth of the season at 16:18 in the period for the 4-1 lead. C Tyler Redenbach and DiCasmiro recorded the assists before the teams rested during the second intermission. The Aeros were outshot in the second period 15-6 and recorded five penalties to the Rampage’s one.

Rampage’s Spina started the final period even earlier netting San Antonio’s fifth goal of the game only 38 seconds in. Murley and Durno earned the assists on the even-strength marker. DiSalvatore finished the scoring with his eighth of the year as Tenute and RW Bill Thomas recorded the assists. After a little extra-curricular roughhousing the Rampage skated off with the 6-1 win.

The Aeros play again New Years Eve in Iowa 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:
- The 6-1 loss marks the Aeros largest margin of defeat this season.
- The last time the Aeros gave up six goals in game was April 13 of last season in a 6-2 loss when hosting the Iowa Stars.
- San Antonio is the only team this season to have scored five or more goals against Houston. The only other time was a 6-5 Aeros shootout win on October 19 in San Antonio.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --