Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Monday, October 3, 2005
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

AEROS WEEKLY REPORT

Coming attractions:

FRI, vs. SAN, 7:35 p.m.
Opening Night, Magnetic Schedule (5K)
Pre-game party with face painters, inflatables and a DJ beginning on the “pad” at 4 p.m.!
Buy tickets

The Aeros kick off their 12th season - fifth in the American Hockey League. Houston is 4-5-2 all-time in home openers, but it has won two of the last three. In 2004-05, the Aeros beat Cincinnati 3-1 at Toyota Center. All-time in season openers, Houston is just 4-4-3. This marks the Rampage’s first time as a home-opening opponent, although IHL San Antonio beat the Aeros 6-3 in 1996. This marks a different Rampage team than in the past, since it is now affiliated with the Phoenix Coyotes, who supplied players to Utah last season. While San Antonio was affiliated with Florida, the Aeros were an impressive 24-5-5-2 in the series. At home, Houston is 15-2-1-0 at home against San Antonio. The Aeros haven’t lost in regulation at home to the Rampage since 1/16/04, a 6-3 decision. Two Aeros are very familiar with most of the Rampage team. Erik Westrum spent the last four seasons in the Coyotes organization, and Dustin Wood two campaigns. The duo was acquired by Minnesota from Phoenix in late August for defenseman Zbynek Michalek.

SAT, at SAN, 7 p.m.
The Aeros and Rampage complete the home-and-home at SBC Center. Houston is 6-3-2 in road openers. On the road against the Rampage, the Aeros sport a 9-3-4-2 mark. In its last 13 trips to San Antonio, Houston has lost only once in regulation (7-1-3-2). And remember Aeros fans, you can watch all games via B2 Networks, for just $6 with broadband access. Check aeros.com for ordering information prior to the game.

Listen to both of the above games on NewsTalk 1070, KNTH-AM. Ken Double, the “Voice of the Aeros”, brings you all the action.

Aeros win both pre-season tilts with Rampage
HOU 4, SAN 3; HOU 5, SAN 2
The Aeros ran their franchise pre-season record against San Antonio to 8-1-1-0 in the last four seasons with a pair of victories over the Rampage over the weekend.
Friday: Erik Westrum scored twice in his Aeros debut, and rookie Adam Courchaine snapped a tie midway through the third period, as Houston rallied from a two-goal deficit for a 4-3 pre-season victory over the San Antonio Rampage in front of a capacity crowd at Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center.
Bryan Lundbohm, also in his first game with Houston, posted a goal and an assist, and Courchaine chipped in a helper for the Aeros. Josh Harding made 32 saves for Houston. Westrum faced many of his old teammates. The veteran centerman was acquired from Phoenix this summer. The Coyotes are the Rampage’s new NHL affiliate.
Frantisek Lukec, Dave McCulloch and Matthew Spiller each scored for the Rampage.
Saturday: Rookie Mark Rooneem tallied two goals and an assist and Westrum added his third tally in two games in a four-goal third period, as the Houston Aeros finished off a perfect pre-season with a 5-2 victory over the San Antonio Rampage at the Ice Center at Northwoods. Rookie Peter Olvecky added a goal and an assist and Lundbohm scored for the second time in two games for Houston.
Jarrod Skalde and Layne Ulmer each scored second-period goals for the Rampage.

Charities news
The Houston Aeros Charities department is making a splash! Check out our upcoming events. Be a Fan and be a part of something big!

Currently we are looking for a corporate sponsor for our Golf Tournament to be held December 6! Sign on today by calling 713.974.PUCK.

Throughout the season, the Houston Aeros Charities pair up with many organizations to provide tickets to the games, monetary donations, or assist them in their fundraising efforts. Please check aeros.com to see what we’re doing in the community.

Coming up real soon are: Golf Tournament, area blood drives, and Chuck a Puck! Keep your eyes open.

Also, check aeros.com for the date of the soon-to-be-rescheduled Casino Night.

Sonic Boom wins award from Houston Press
Sonic Boom, the Aeros’ official dance team, was named the “Best Cheerleading Squad” by the Houston Press’ “Best of” edition. Click here for more information.

Join Puck Pals today!
Memberships for “Chilly’s Puck Pals”, the Houston Aeros official kids’ club, are now on sale for just $15.

Puck Pals members receive all of the following great benefits: One free ticket to Chilly’s Birthday Party game on Sunday, Jan. 15; one free ticket to Saturday, April 1 game; official Puck Pals T-shirt and pencil kit, guaranteed promotional item on Puck Pals game, exclusive party with Aeros players and Chilly; exclusive Puck Pals newsletter with special offers and games; one free skating pass to Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center.

Also, Puck Pals members will have an opportunity to win other prizes at every Puck Pals game by spinning the “Wheel of Fun”!!! A Puck Pals member will be chosen before every Puck Pals game to be the “Honorary Kid of the Game”. Plus, they get the opportunity to purchase additional discounted tickets to every Puck Pals game. Puck Pals games are Friday, Oct. 21 (Aeros Posters), Friday, Nov. 11 (U.S. Lapel Pins), Friday, Dec. 16 (Nesting Dolls), Sunday, Jan. 15 (Chilly’s Birthday), Friday, March 4 (Trucker Hats) and Saturday, April 1 (Pucks). Discounted tickets to the Puck Pals games are $24 for center ice, $16 for corners, $13 for lower endzone and $9 for upper endzone.

For more information on Chilly’s Puck Pals, please contact Adrian Cavazos at 713.361.7940 or acavazos@aeros.com, or click here to print the flyer.

Aeros’ Practice schedule:
Monday - 10-11:30, Sugar Land
Tuesday - 10-11:30, Sugar Land
Wednesday - 10:30-11:30, Sugar Land
Thursday - 10-11:30, Sugar Land
Friday - 10-11, pre-game skate, vs. SAN 7:35 p.m.
Saturday - at SAN 7 p.m.
Sunday - Off

All Aeros’ non game-day practices take place at the Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center, the Official Training Facility of the Houston Aeros.


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