Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Monday, December 27, 2004
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

Aeros Weekly Report

Coming attractions:

WED, vs. MIL, 7:05 p.m.
The Aeros wrap up their eight-game homestand with the defending Calder Cup champions’ first visit of the season to Toyota Center. The Aeros beat the Ads 5-2 November 13, handing Milwaukee its first regulation loss in 18 games and snapping a nine-game winless streak versus the Ads. Milwaukee is suddenly struggling, dropping two straight to fall into second place in the West with 39 points. Houston didn’t win a home game last season against the Admirals (0-4-0-1), getting outscored 22-9.

THU, at NOR, 6:30 p.m.
The Admirals try and exact a measure of revenge on the Aeros, who swept a two-game set from them at Toyota Center earlier this month. Houston is 7-3-0-0 all-time versus Norfolk, including a 6-1-0-0 mark in the last seven meetings. The teams split two meetings at The Scope in 2003-04, with Houston winning 5-3 in the back end of a two-game series March 21.

FRI, at NOR, 5:00 p.m.
The Aeros and Admirals get an early start to New Year’s Eve in their last meeting of the 2004-05 season.

This week on Aeros.com – Send aeros.com Q&A questions to John Erskine at qanda@aeros.com. Also, check The Houston Chronicle Online later tonight for Andrew Ferraro’s latest audio update on the Aeros. And don’t forget to log on aeros.com to vote for your favorite Aeros moment of 2004. You can also continue to vote Derek Boogaard as the Houston athlete you’d most like to have as your designated driver. Visit the aeros.com live scoreboard section for the link.

Aeros shouldn’t be tired - By the time they step on the ice Wednesday against Milwaukee, the Aeros will have played only three games since December 3. The rest of the division, meanwhile, has been busy, playing the following number of games: Milwaukee (11), Grand Rapids (11), Chicago (10), San Antonio (13), Cincinnati (10) and Utah (12).

PP roll continues - Houston, which is second in the AHL on the power play at 21.0 percent, is 11-for-36 (30.6 percent) in the first seven games of its homestand, with at least one goal in each contest. The Aeros are an impressive 25-for-27 (92.6 percent) penalty killing on the homestand.

Moving on up - The Aeros (15-10-2-1) are five games over the .500 mark for the first time this season. Houston hasn’t been five games over .500 since finishing its Calder Cup championship season 47-23-7-3. The Aeros are also in search of their first four-game winning streak since a six-gamer from December 5-17 of last season.

Strong in the third - Since allowing four third-period goals to Utah on November 26, the Aeros have yielded only one third-period tally in their last six games. In its three-game winning streak, Houston hasn’t allowed a third-period marker. The Aeros have still been outscored 21-20 in the final period this season.

Veilleux hits 50-goal mark - Aeros winger Stephane Veilleux’s fifth goal in as many games Thursday marked his 50th career professional goal. He has 45 with the Aeros, and five with the Minnesota Wild. His 45 Houston goals tie him with Jeff Christian for 13th on the team’s all-time list. Michael Maurice is next with 46.

Player of the week C Mikko Koivu -
Tied career-bests in goals (2) and points (3) in 5-2 win over SAN 12/23...Scored both on the power play and shorthanded, and his assist also came with the man advantage...Has 13 points (6-7=13) in just 16 games this season.
Koivu this week...
12/23 vs. SAN 2-1=3, -1
Totals - 1gp, 2-1=3, -1

West Standings - The Aeros enter this week with 33 points, in fourth place in the West Division. Chicago has won three straight to take first in the West.
West Division Standings, 12/27
Chicago 18-9-3-1=40
Milwaukee 18-8-2-1=39
Grand Rapids 18-11-1-1=38
Houston 15-10-2-1=33
San Antonio 11-15-2-4=28
Cincinnati 13-17-0-2=28
Utah 9-19-0-2=20

Aeros roll past Rampage in lone action last week

HOU 5, SAN 2
Thursday: Mikko Koivu’s three-point night included a power play and shorthanded goal, leading the Houston Aeros past the San Antonio Rampage 5-2 at Toyota Center. Rickard Wallin added a power play goal and an assist and Todd Reirden and Stephane Veilleux also scored for Houston, which tied a season-high with its third straight win.
Mike Smith made 23 saves in winning his third straight for Houston, which next plays Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. versus defending Calder Cup champion Milwaukee. The Aeros improved to 4-2-1-0 on their eight-game homestand and moved a season-high five games over the .500 mark (15-10-2-1). Houston is 12-2-1-0 all-time at home versus the Rampage.
Chris Nielson and Greg Campbell each scored and Travis Scott turned aside 14-of-17 shots before being pulled for San Antonio, which has lost five of six and played its sixth game in seven nights. Patrick DesRochers made 15 saves in relief of Scott.


---HOUSTON AEROS, BE A FAN---