Aeros Weekly Report

Home opener is Saturday versus Cincinnati

Coming attractions:

FRI, at SAN, 7 p.m.
Aeros season No. 11 kicks off at SBC Center against the Rampage. Houston has won three straight season openers since joining the AHL, including a 5-1 rout at eventual Calder Cup champion Milwaukee last season.

Houston lost in regulation only once to San Antonio last season (7-1-2-2), and in San Antonio, the Aeros are unbeaten in regulation in the last seven trips (3-0-2-2). The Rampage last beat the Aeros at home in regulation March 11, 2003, by a 7-4 count. The Rampage feature NHL up-and-comers Jay Bouwmeester and Stephen Weiss.

SAT, vs. CIN, 7:35 p.m.
Opening Night, 4,000 Commemorative Pucks
The Aeros, 1-3-1 in their last five home openers, begin their second season at Toyota Center as Cincinnati comes to town in a rematch of the 2004 West Division Qualifying Round.

Houston Mayor Bill White will drop the Ceremonial Puck prior to the game.

The game should be exciting, as the teams have played six overtime games in 18 chances, including in three of the final five games in 2003-04.

The Mighty Ducks feature World Cup netminder Ilya Bryzgalov, who helped lead Russia past the United States. Several youngsters who spent much of last season in Anaheim are on Cincinnati’s roster, including Joffrey Lupul, Michael Holmqvist and Stanislav Chistov.

Looking ahead…

Fans, don’t forget, the Aeros have three home games in three nights next weekend, October 22-24.

Friday, Oct. 22 vs. CLE, 7:35 p.m.
The first 4,000 fans will receive Aeros magnetic schedules.

Saturday, Oct. 23 vs. CLE, 7:35 p.m.
The first 3,000 fans will receive Aeros mini-sticks. Also, Snoopy and the Children's Museum of Houston will be guests of Houston Aeros Charities. Anyone who visits the Children’s Museum to see the "Good Grief" PEANUTS exhibit next Thursday, Friday or Saturday will receive $3 off corner seats for Saturday’s game. Also, anyone presenting an Aeros ticket stub at the Children’s Museum through November 30 will get $1 off admission. 

Sunday, Oct. 24 vs. CHI, 5:05 p.m.
The first 3,000 fans will receive an Aeros Team Photo.
It’s also Aeros Family Day. You can get four tickets, four pucks, $20 in Toyota Bucks plus free parking for $59. Click here to purchase. Username is Family, password is Aeros.

Pre-season recap

The Aeros went 2-1-1-0 in the pre-season, with each game coming against San Antonio. The teams split two games last weekend, with the Aeros winning 3-2 in Sugar Land Friday before falling 5-4 in overtime in San Antonio on Saturday.

Aeros pre-season leaders
Goals: Derek Boogaard, Marc Cavosie, Kirby Law (2)
Assists: Pierre-Marc Bouchard (5)
Points: Pierre-Marc Bouchard (5)
+/-: Brent Burns, Kirby Law (+3)
PIM: David Morisset (15)

Pre-order your Team Guides now

You can pre-order your 2004-05 Aeros Team Guide and Record Book today. The 100-page book, which includes in-depth looks at current Aeros plus a comprehensive historical look at the last 10 years of Aeros hockey, are $10.