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

AEROS REMAIN IN THIRD PLACE WITH THREE GAMES REMAINING

MOLINE, Ill. – The Houston Aeros were shutout 1-0 by the Quad City Flames Wednesday night at I Wireless Center. Houston (43-28-2-4) remains in a three-way tie for third place in the West Division with just three games remaining in the 2007-08 regular season. Goaltender Barry Brust stopped 19 of 20 shots, but his counterpart Matt Keetley stopped all 25 he faced for his first shutout of the season.

Box Score

Houston’s final three games of the season are against the Milwaukee Admirals, one of the two teams they are tied with in the division standings. The Aeros will play in Milwaukee Friday, April 11th before heading home for the final two games of the regular season on April 12th and 13th. Call (713) 974-PUCK for special ticket offers for each of the remaining two games as the Aeros will find out their seed in the 2008 Calder Cup Playoffs.

After two periods of play, it seemed the team that scored the next goal would win the game, and that was the case. RW Carsen Germyn tallied the only goal of the game late in the third period when he picked up a rebound off a Gerry Burke shot and buried it into the open net. The goal came at the 12:48 mark and proved to be the game winner.

The teams battled for two periods, each with their own chances as the momentum shifted back and forth. Each team was unsuccessful on three power play chances through two periods, and the Aeros were given a golden chance in the third period to tie the game.

Flames’ left wing Kris Kolanos was sent to the penalty box at the 16:44 mark of the final period. Houston pulled their goaltender in favor of the extra attacker, but in their best chance to tie the game, a Jon Awe slapshot rang off the post. It marked Awe’s second shot in the final five minutes that hit the post.

Houston was unable to get the tying goal and was shutout for the seventh time this season. The Flames won the season series with the 1-0 victory over Houston winning five of the eight games played between the teams.

Notes:
- The playoff picture in the West Division is still very much in question. Houston, Milwaukee and San Antonio are all tied with 92 points and all three teams trail the Rockford IceHogs by just two points. All four teams have three games remaining on their schedules.
- Houston was shutout for the seventh time this season. The Aeros lead the league with 11 shutouts.
- Houston didn’t allow a power play goal for the seventh straight game. They have killed 27 straight penalties and 32 of their last 33 in the last nine games. The Aeros penalty kill unit has allowed a league-low 49 goals this season and they rank second with a .874 kill percentage.

-- HOUSTON AEROS --