From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
March 9, 2008

AEROS, POULIOT EXTEND STREAK TO SEVEN, SURPASS ROCHESTER IN OVERTIME 3-2

HOUSTON, Texas – Under the skates of Benoit Pouliot the Houston Aeros defeated the Rochester Americans 3-2 in overtime in front of 4,596 fans at Toyota Center Sunday night. With the win, the Aeros extended their winning streak to seven games. Aeros' goaltender Barry Brust has been in net in each of the seven wins in the current streak.

Box Scores

Defenseman Peter Aston banged in a rebound on a three-on-two rush to give the Americans a 1-0 lead at the 14:13 mark of the second period. Right wing Anthony Stewart came in on the left wing snapped a shot that Brust saved with the left leg, but Aston was there for the rebound and banged in the puck from the right circle for his third goal of the season.

Houston earned a power-play for the final two minutes of the second period and needed nearly every second to tie the game. Defenseman Erik Reitz put a shot on goal from the point that was tipped by Ryan Hamilton through traffic and into the back of the net with just four seconds remaining in the period. The goal was Hamilton’s third goal in as many games marking the longest goal streak by an Aeros’ player this season. Reitz and center Serge Payer assisted on the play.

The Aeros took the lead back only 2:38 into the final third period as D John Scott pushed the puck past the blocker of Dennis for the 2-1 lead. Today’s call-up, Troy Riddle, earned the assist in his first game back with Houston. The Americans came back and tied the game up at two apiece when Dylan Hunter stuffed in a rebound off Brust at 7:19 in the third forcing an overtime.

The team’s nearly took the game into a shootout but Pouliot weaved through defenders on a 1-on-2 break and slipped the puck under a leg pad for the win with only eight seconds remaining in the extra session. The overtime game-winning goal was Pouliot’s tenth goal and first game-winner of the season. Brandon Rogers and Brust earned the assists.

The Aeros are running Spring Break specials including $22 center ice seats! The deal is good for the March 17th, 19th and 20th games. This special package also includes a post game picture in the penalty box and a shot on goal for kids 3-14 years old. Don’t miss out on the Spring Break special and order your tickets today!

Notes:
- The Aeros scored their first power play goal in four games with Ryan Hamilton’s marker at the 19:56 mark of the second period. It marked their first goal in the last 20 chances.
- Hamilton extended his goal-scoring streak to three games, the longest for the Aeros this season.
- The Aeros killed off three penalties in the game for the 46th straight penalty kill in a span of nine games.
- Each of the seven Aeros’ victories in the current streak have come with Barry Brust in net, three of which were shutouts. Brust also recorded his 5,000th minute as a pro and now has 5,062 minutes.
- With the overtime win, Houston improved to 12-2-3 when taking the game into the extra session for a points percentage of .852 in such games.
- Houston still has six games left in their current nine-game road trip. They will face the Rockford Ice Hogs for two games next week before playing four home games in five nights the following week.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --