AEROS TIE SERIES WITH 2-0 SHUTOUT IN GAME 2 AT PEORIA

PEORIA, Ill., – Anton Khudobin and the Houston Aeros shutout the Peoria Rivermen 2-0 Friday night in Game Two of the West Division Semifinals at Carver Arena. Khudobin stopped all 30 shots faced as Peter Olvecky and Danny Irmen each scored for the Aeros who tied the series at one game apiece. Game Three is Saturday night at Toyota Center at 7:35 p.m. and tickets are still available by calling (713) 974-PUCK or visiting AEROS.com.

GAMESHEET

The first period was a much harder hitting period than any of the three periods in Game One. Each team had a handful of scoring chances and the Aeros finally converted with just nine seconds remaining in the period.  Olvecky tallied the opening marker, which proved to be the game winner with assists awarded to Jesse Schultz and Marco Rosa.

Almost midway through the second period, Krys Kolanos had a clean breakaway on Legace with two other Aeros following. Kolanos looked to go top shelf but the puck slid off his stick as he pulled the trigger, preventing the 2-0 lead for the time being. The game remained a 1-0 contest through two periods of play.

Peoria had the only power-play opportunity of the game when Olvecky went to the box at the 10:05 mark of the second period. Houston killed the power play without allowing the Rivermen a chance to set up in the Aeros’ zone and headed to the second intermission with the lead.

At the 6:45 mark of the third period Olvecky provided the second power play of the game for Peoria. He stepped out of the box as his penalty expired just as Benoit Pouliot passed into the offensive zone. Pouliot dumped the puck to Olvecky who waited for Irmen to get into the play and passed it to Irmen who buried the one-timer past Legace. The 2-0 lead would stand as Khudobin fought off the final Rivermen attempts with an extra attacker during the final minute of play.

Notes:
- Houston’s record during the regular season when Peter Olvecky scored a goal was 6-0-0-0 including 2-0-0-0 on the road.
- Olvecky’s first period tally was also his first in an Aeros uniform since January 23 in a 5-2 Aeros’ home win over the Rivermen. Game Two marked his second game since returning from his first-ever NHL recall.
- The Aeros record in Game Two of a best-of-seven series in Calder Cup playoff action is now 6-7. Houston is 4-7 in Game Three in AHL playoffs.
- Game Two’s shutout was Houston’s second shutout of the season. The first shutout came courtesy of goaltender Nolan Schaefer in the Aeros’ second game of the regular season.