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

HOUSTON COMES BACK FROM THREE-GOAL DEFICIT TO DEFEAT CHICAGO 5-4

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros allowed three goals in the first frame but defeated the Chicago Wolves 5-4 in front of 10,211 fans at Toyota Center Friday night. Aeros’ Joel Ward led the way with a pair of goals as Houston (37-25-2-3) remained within two points of the fourth spot in the West Division. Chicago (46-18-2-2) will look to clinch a playoff berth tomorrow night with a win and a Peoria loss tomorrow night.

Box Score

Chicago controlled the first period of play with two special teams goals and an even-strength goal to take a 3-0 lead. At 3:41, Chad Denny notched his first goal of the season, a power play goal when he kept a rebound on the ice and it snuck under the stick of Aeros goaltender Anton Khudobin.

Kevin Doell made it a 2-0 game at 8:37 when he skated in on the right wing on a two-on-one break and wristed a shot that Khudobin stopped, but the rebound bounced off the skate of Aeros’ defenseman Brandon Rogers and into the net. Khudobin was pulled in favor of Aeros’ goaltender Barry Brust.

The American Hockey League’s leading scorer, Jason Krog, tallied the Wolves third goal of the period at the 17:41 mark on an assist from Joey Crabb to take a 3-0 lead going into the first intermission. It marked only the second time this season the Aeros have given up three goals in the first period.

The second period had a total of four goals, three from the Aeros bringing the game to a 4-3 Chicago lead heading into the final period. Rogers started the Aeros’ scoring at 9:52 in the second frame and Ward potted two markers 4:41 apart later in the period.

Houston’s Marco Rosa tied the game with a score of four each at 10:21 in the in the final session during a 5-on-3 power-play. Danny Irmen netted the game-winning goal, the Aeros’ fourth unanswered marker, his second game-winner of the season.

The Aeros finished 1-for-11 on the power-play as Chicago finished 1-4 on the man-advantage. Houston out-shot the Wolves by 16 in the final two periods totaling 38-22 in favor of the Aeros.

The Aeros head to San Antonio on Sunday for a 5 p.m. match-up. Tune in to Jason Shaver on AM-1070 KNTH for the live play-by-play so you don't miss any action as the Aeros continue their quest for the post season. Houston returns home to host a a pair of games on Tuesday and Friday nights against the Peoria Rivermen who currently are only three points behind the Aeros. Call 713.974.PUCK to get your tickets to watch the Aeros fight for playoff positioning.

Notes:
- Joel Ward’s two goals and an assist earned Bo’s Place $2,200 a donation from an anonymous Aeros fan.
- Aeros scored four goals in the first 13 periods against Chicago this season. They had three goals in the second period on Friday night and added two more in the third.
- Chicago’s three goals in the first period tied the most goals Houston has allowed in a period. The last time the Aeros were scored on three times in a period was in the third period at Chicago on February 13.
- Houston’s comeback from three goals down was only the second time this season the club has rebounded from such a deficit. The last first time was nearly a month ago on February 22 in a 5-4 shootout win at Syracuse.


-- HOUSTON AEROS --