From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Friday, February 08, 2008

HOUSTON POWERS PAST ROCKFORD ON SPECIAL TEAMS, 6-1

Rockford, IL – The Houston Aeros tied a franchise-record with five power-play goals to roll past the Rockford IceHogs 6-1 in front of 3,820 fans at Rockford MetroCentre. The Aeros (26-18-2-3) set a season-high five-game road win-streak with the win over Rockford (30-14-4-5) who is now on a four-game skid.

Box Score

Aero's captain-defenseman Erik Reitz led the team with three assists, which ties his season/career-high in points and assists. Rockford left wing Troy Brouwer netted the clubs only goal of the night. Houston’s rookie goaltender Anton Khudobin got his first-career professional start and stopped 21 of 22 shots on net for the win. IceHog net-minder Corey Crawford stopped 27 of the Aero’s 33 shots for his 13th loss of the season. The Aeros finished 5-12 on the man-advantage and only allowed Rockford to have one power-play opportunity but the club failed to convert.

Houston got on the board first with a power-play goal from center Adrian Foster, his third power-play marker of the season. Reitz and D Maxim Noreau earned the assists on the opening goal. The IceHogs wouldn’t let the Aeros hold the lead into the intermission as Brouwer tied the game up at 16:34 in the first period. Defenseman Matt Macdonald earned the loan assist as the teams took to the locker rooms tied at one each.

After a 35 minute delay the teams took to the ice again. Rockford recorded the first three goals of the period, all three within 37 seconds. The extended 5-on-3 was plenty of time for Houston to capitalize on the advantage as LW Peter Olvecky tipped the eventual game-winner for a 2-1 lead. Right wing Cal Clutterbuck and Reitz each earned assists on the Olvecky goal.

Houston grabbed complete control of the final period tallying four goals, three on the man-advantage. The power-play markers were scored by LW Ryan Hamilton, D John Scott and Clutterbuck at 54 seconds, 15:24 and 18:18 into the final period, respectively. RW Joel Ward netted the Aeros’ only even-strength marker at 11:00 in the final period for a final score of 6-1 in favor of Houston.

Notes:
- The Aeros improved to a record of 22-3-1-2 when scoring the game’s first goal. Houston’s record when leading after two periods improved to 18-1-0-1.
- Houston’s five power play goals tied the team record. Houston set the record on March 15, 2006 in a 6-5 win over the Chicago Wolves. The Aeros finished 5-12 on the power play in the game. They were forced to kill just one penalty.
- Aeros’ goaltender Anton Khudobin started his first AHL game and stopped 21 of 22 shots. He has appeared in two games this season for the Aeros, both of them in Rockford and has stopped a total of 35 of 36 shots in his two games for a .972 save percentage.
- Center Steve Kelly joined the lineup after missing the first two games of the road trip due to the birth of his son, Benett Steven Kelly. He had two assists in the game.
- Aeros defenseman turned forward John Scott scored his second goal in as many games on a tipped goal at the 15:24 mark of the third period. The markers are the first goals and points of the season for Scott.
- Defenseman Erik Reitz tied a season and career-high with three points in the game, all were assists. All of the assists were on three of the Aeros’ five power play goals.

The Aeros Old School jerseys are currently up for auction. After being worn on January 25 and 26 each jersey was autographed and they are now up for bid. The auction ends Tuesday, January 12 at 12:01 p.m. so check back often! The Aeros return home on Friday, February 15 to face Iowa at 7:35 p.m. and don't forget, the Sweetheart of a Deal is going on now!

-- HOUSTON AEROS --