From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
713.361.7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
HOUSTON LOSES FIRST SHOOTOUT GAME OF SEASON, 3-2 TO BRIDGEPORT
HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period but lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Sunday night. Houston (8-7-0-1) moved within one point of the Iowa Chops. Bridgeport (12-3-0-2) held their East Division lead with the win.
GAME SHEET
Houston posted two goals in the first period, both by Krys Kolanos, and held Bridgeport scoreless through the first 20 minutes. Both goals were assisted by Corey Locke with Mitch Love and Jesse Schultz adding the other assists on the markers. Kolanos’ first tally at 11:30 in the frame was a quick wrist shot going top-shelf over Peter Mannino’s glove hand. The second goal with 1:49 left in the opening period was passed into the zone from Locke to Kolanos who sent the puck cross-ice to Schultz. His shot angle was cut off with Mannino sliding to his side of the net so Schultz passed back to Kolanos who stuffed the puck in the open side of the net.
The second period was held scoreless as Houston killed off two penalties and Bridgeport denying the Aeros’ one power-play chance. The Aeros recorded 11 shots on net while the Sound Tigers only registered five.
Bridgeport didn’t get on the scoreboard until the 12:21 mark of the final period when Ben Walter netted his first goal of the season, bringing the Sound Tigers within one. A late penalty had the Aeros in a penalty kill situation scheduled to finish regulation time. Bridgeport pulled Mannino for an extra attacker providing a 6-on-4 advantage and was able to tie the game thanks to Mike Iggulden with only 5.4 ticks left on the clock sending the game into overtime.
Neither team could convert on multiple chances in the extra session with Bridgeport recording the only shot. The shootout heavily favored Bridgeport as they scored on each of their four attempts on Aeros' goaltender Barry Brust while the Aeros scored on only two, courtesy of Morten Madsen and Locke. Kurtis McLean netted the shootout-deciding goal for the Sound Tigers in their 3-2 victory.
Notes
- The Aeros and Sound Tigers met up for just the fifth time in history. Houston is now 2-1-1-1 against Bridgeport including 0-1-1-1 record at home.
- The two-goal first period for the Aeros marked the second time this season Houston has had two or more in the opening frame. The last time was Houston’s 8-6 win over the San Antonio Rampage on October 18 in which they scored three first period goals.
- Barry Brust stopped 22 of 24 shots on net in regulation but allowed all four shootout attempts against.
- The game marked the Aeros first shootout of the season ending in a 3-2 Bridgeport victory. Houston’s last shootout was April 13, 2008 when Houston won 3-2 in the second-to-last game of the season. Shawn Belle recorded the shootout-deciding tally.
Houston stays at home this week playing next Saturday and Sunday at Toyota Center. Saturday's 7:35 p.m. contest is the Aeros 5th Annual Military Appreciation Night, the first of the five-part Aeros' Legends Bobblehead series and the second night of the Houston Aeros Charities Food Drive. Click here for more information on the evening's events.
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