From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Monday, January 21, 2008

HOUSTON AEROS WEEKLY UPDATE: JANUARY 21

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros (22-16-2-2) dropped two contests this past weekend, one in overtime. Friday’s 5-4 overtime loss was a back-and-forth nail-biter and Sunday’s 2-1 loss had lots of hard hitting action. This week will feature back-to-back games hosting I-10 rival San Antonio on Friday and Saturday nights. The Aeros currently hold the fifth spot in the West Division with 48 points and are only two points behind the Rampage for the fourth spot.

FRI vs. SAN, 7:35 p.m., SAT vs. SAN, 7:35 p.m.

Friday and Saturday
Houston welcomes back the San Antonio Rampage Friday and Saturday, both games starting at 7:35 p.m. The Aeros are currently 5-2 against San Antonio and are 3-0 at home against the club. The two losses have come when the Aeros have only scored one goal. Houston has an all-time regular season record of 43-15-6-3 against the Rampage. These two games are your last chances to see the Rampage at Toyota Center during the regular season and Houston will visit the rivals one more time in March. Saturday is also the Hockey Visor giveaway night as the first 3,000 fans entering Toyota Center will receive a visor. Don’t miss out and get your tickets today by calling 713.974.PUCK or online at Aeros.com

Practice Schedule
22-Jan-08, Tuesday, SLICE 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
23-Jan-08, Wednesday, SLICE 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
24-Jan-08, Thursday, SLICE 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
25-Jan-08, Friday, Game vs. San Antonio, 7:35 p.m.
26-Jan-08, Saturday, Game vs. San Antonio, 7:35 p.m.
27-Jan-08, Sunday, off

Aeros Player of the Week: C Adrian Foster

Friday, January 18 vs. TOR, 1-2=3, Tied personal high for points and assists in a game.
Sunday, January 20 vs. HAM, 0-0=0

Center Adrian Foster recorded three points (1-2=3) in Friday night’s 5-4 OTL vs. Toronto. The three points tied a personal-high he achieved only once before on April 10, 2004. His two assists on the night also tied a personal-best which he also tied earlier this season. Foster has recorded two assists in six games prior to Friday’s contest.

TEAM NOTES
• The Aeros had not recorded back-to-back losses since December 29-31. The Aeros, however did come out with one point from the pair of losses this past weekend.
• The Aeros 2-1 loss to Hamilton on Sunday marked the first game this season that the team lost when allowing two or fewer goals. The Aeros are now 13-1-0 when allowing less than three goals.
• Sunday’s loss marked the first time since January 4 (six games) the Aeros allowed more than one power-play goal against.

Affiliation News
The NHL’s Minnesota Wild (26-18-3) currently rank tied for third in the Northwest Division and are tied for seventh in the Western Conference. The Wild went 0-1-1 last week including a 3-2 shootout loss to Calgary and a 4-2 loss to defending Stanley Cup Champions the Anaheim Ducks. Minnesota will face the Vancouver Canucks tonight, Calgary tomorrow and Colorado Thursday in three divisional match-ups this week.

The Wild are tied with Vancouver in the division with 55 points and trail Colorado and Calgary by only one point. Marian Gaborik has a team-leading 50 points, 25 goals and 25 assists in 42 games. Niklas Backstrom leads the club with a record of 16-9-2, a .911 save percentage and a 2.56 goals against average.

The ECHL’s Texas Wildcatters went 2-1-1 last week including an eight-round shootout win Friday night. Tuesday’s loss coupled with last Sunday’s marked the first time this season the Wildcatters lost back-to-back games in regulation. The Wildcatters (29-4-3-4=65 pts.) have an eight-point lead for the best record in the ECHL and 13 points over the South Carolina Stingrays who are second in the division. Texas plays a three-game home set Friday-Sunday this weekend against the South Division rivals, Mississippi Sea Wolves.

LAST WEEK
1/18 - HOU 4 vs. TOR 5 – OTL
1/20 - HOU 1 vs. MTB 2 – L

Friday, January 18: The Hamilton Bulldogs held off the Houston Aeros’ late push and defeated the Bombers 2-1 in front of 6,373 fans at Toyota Center Sunday night. The Aeros took four minutes of the final period with an extra attacker and managed one goal against the Bulldogs.

Sunday, January 20: The Houston Aeros scored first and gave up two leads in the 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Marlies in front of 6,038 fans at Toyota Center Friday night. The loss ended the Aeros winning-streak of four games and extended the Marlies’ to three.

The Aeros stay home and host the San Antonio Rampage in back-to-back games this Friday and Saturday nights, both at 7:35 p.m. Saturday night is the Aeros’ Hockey Visor Giveaway for the first 3,000 fans entering Toyota Center. Tickets are still available for both nights so call 713.974.PUCK or visit Aeros.com to get your tickets today! ---HOUSTON AEROS---