Aeros beat Grand Rapids 2-1, move into second place tie
March 5, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Houston Aeros News Release
HOUSTON, Texas - John Lammers earned two points with a goal and an assist for the Houston Aeros to help earn a 2-1 victory over the Grand Rapids Griffins Thursday night. The win, in front of 3,278 fans at Toyota Center, moved the Aeros (30-23-1-8) into a three-way tie for second place in the West Division with Rockford and Chicago. Houston hosts the Wolves Saturday night at Toyota Center in a 7:35 p.m. contest as the clubs continue their quest for the post season.
The opening period had Houston on the power play four separate times, but contrary to recent trends, the Aeros were unable to convert. Houston outshot the Griffins 13-5 in the period. Despite the shot differential, Grand Rapids' Darren Haydar made his shot count when he snuck the period's only goal under Nolan Schaefer's pads on a rebound at 6:33 into the frame.
After a scrum at the left wing faceoff circle, Houston's Morten Madsen took the puck below the goal line and centered it to Lammers just above the crease. Lammers tied the game at one apiece when he wristed the puck past Larsson's blocker. Houston kept the pressure on with a number of shots following the goal but it wasn't until 2:16 was left in the period that the Aeros took the first lead of the night. Jesse Schultz took a rebound directly in front of the crease and slapped it into the net for Houston's 2-1 lead which they carried into the second intermission.
Shortly after earning a man-advantage Houston allowed a three-on-one short-handed chance for the Griffins. Schaefer was able to block the lopsided attack with seven minutes remaining, sending the puck over the top of the net to preserve the Aeros' lead. Grand Rapids finished the third period with 11 shots on net but failed to tie the contest, even with one minute with an extra attacker, giving Houston the 2-1 victory.
Notes: - Tonight's contest was the first of a stretch for the Aeros when they play eight-of-ten games on home ice. - Houston has won five of its last six home contests, and eight of the last ten overall. - Houston is now 14-5-1-2 when outshooting opponents in the first period and improved to 8-14-0-4 when trailing after the first. - John Lammers recorded two points (1 goal, 1 assist) in the contest for his fourth multiple-point game. - Houston recorded two five-on-five goals in the contest, the first such goals in three games. Houston has now recorded only 13 five-on-five goals in the last 12 games, a span in which the club has recorded 41 total goals.
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