TUESDAY, FEB. 22, 2011
HOUSTON AEROS (33-21-1-4) vs. MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS (31-15-2-7)   
TOYOTA CENTER (7:05 p.m. CST)
OVERVIEW
The Houston Aeros play host to the Milwaukee Admirals to start a four-game week. Houston has won 13 of its last 19 games and has earned standings points in 15 of those contests. The Aeros rebounded from a 3-1 loss at home to Chicago on Thursday and a 2-1 shootout loss at Milwaukee on Friday with a 5-3 victory over Rockford on the road on Saturday. The Aeros and Admirals have identical records over the last 10 games; each team is 7-2-0-1. After winning three straight, Milwaukee fell 2-1 to Texas at home on Sunday.

WHERE THEY STAND
The Aeros and Admirals are tied for the West Division and Western Conference lead with 71 points. The Admirals have four games in hand on the Aeros while Houston has two more wins than the Admirals.

WHAT THE GAME MEANS
The winner of tonight’s game takes sole possession of first place in the West Division and Western Conference. The West Division race remains the tightest in the AHL. A total of seven points separate the first place and seventh place teams.
 
NHL AFFILIATES
Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild) --- The Wild is 31-22-6 with 68 points and holds the No. 7 spot in the Western Conference playoff race. The Wild hosts Edmonton tonight.
Milwaukee Admirals (Nashville Predators) --- Nashville is 31-20-8 and is in fifth place in the Western Conference with 70 points. They visit the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.

AEROS UPCOMING GAMES
Feb. 22 vs. Milwaukee, 7:05 p.m.
Feb. 25 vs. Texas, 7:35 p.m.
Feb. 26 at OKC, 7:05 p.m.

BROADCAST INFO
Follow the Aeros on News Talk 1070 KNTH and online at AEROS.COM with Joe O’Donnell providing the play-by-play call. Watch every game at www.ahllive.com.

AEROS AT A GLANCE
STANDING…………………………………….T1/West Division
RECORD……………………………………….33-21-1-4, 71 pts.
HOME……………………………………………………15-8-1-1
ROAD…………………………………………………...18-13-0-3
STREAK………..…………………………………………WON 1

AEROS SPECIAL TEAMS
PP: 16.5% (20TH)………………………………PK: 84.1% (13TH)
PPG: 44………….………………………………………..SHG: 5
 
AEROS LEADERS
Points…………………………………………….DiSalvatore (39)
Goals……………………………………………………..Earl (16)
Assists…………………………………...DiSalvatore/Noreau (26)
PPG……………………………………………………Almond (7)
PP-Pts…………………………………………………Noreau (19)
SHG…………………………………………………McMillan (3)
SH-Pts…………………………….............................McMillan (4)
PIM…………………………………………………Kassian (118)

NOTABLES
•    Since Jan.1, Houston is 15-4-0-1.
•    The Aeros set a season-high with their sixth consecutive win on Feb. 11 at Peoria.
•    All 33 of Houston’s wins have come when the team allows three or fewer goals.
•    27 of Houston’s wins have come when they score the first goal.
•    The Aeros won their 30th game of the 2010-11 season on Feb. 8 at TEX in their 53rd game. Last season, it took the club 71 games to win 30 overall (March 26).
•    Houston’s 59 games played is tied with Chicago and Manchester for second-most in the AHL behind Lake Erie (60).
•    Maxim Noreau’s next goal will be his 50th as a pro. He leads the team with 10 multi-point games.

AEROS GOALIES --- Anton Khudobin is 18-11-1 with a 2.48 GAA and .913 SV%. He had won six straight games until taking two straight losses Feb. 13-17... Matt Hackett is 13-11-3 with a 2.38 GAA and .915 SV%. He is 3-1-1 in his last five decisions.

SCORING STREAKS
•    Jon DiSalvatore; 5 games (2-3-5)... 14 of 16 (6-1-2-18)
•    Patrick O’Sullivan; 2 games (1-1-2)... 13 of 15 as an Aero this season (9-7-16)

INJURY UPDATE --- Casey Wellman is out with an upper body injury but has been skating with the team… Tyler Cuma is out for the season with a knee injury suffered Feb. 13. 2011 vs. PEO.