Griffins Skate Past Aeros 5-1
April 2, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
Houston, TX - The Houston Aeros (33-24-5-5, 76 points) were defeated by the Grand Rapids Griffins (39-23-3-3, 84 points) 5-1 on Tuesday night in front of 3,052 fans at Toyota Center. The Griffins tallied four times in the second period and pulled away from Houston down the stretch to post a four-goal road win. Forward Francis Pare scored twice and added an assist, leading the Griffins to victory. Grand Rapids goalie Tom McCollum (16-11-1) stopped 25 of 26 Houston shots for the win. Houston Goalie Darcy Kuemper (13-8-0) suffered the loss, stopping 13 of 16 in 31:05 of work. Cody Reichard relieved Kuemper in the second period, stopping 10 of 12 in 21:40 of work. Houston is now winless (0-2-1-1) in the first four home games of its ten-game home stand. The Aeros will host San Antonio at 7:05 p.m. this Thursday at Toyota Center.
After a scoreless first period, Grand Rapids took a 1-0 lead at 7:58 of the second period on a Chad Billins power-play goal. From above the left circle, Billins blasted his ninth goal through traffic and past goalie Darcy Kuemper. The Griffins extended the lead to 2-0 with a Luke Glendening short-handed goal at 9:42 of the second. Glendening knocked a rebound past Kuemper for his eighth goal of the season. The Griffins made it 3-0 at 11:05 of the middle frame. Tomas Jurco tallied his 11th goal of the year, off a cross-ice feed from Francis Pare. The backhander beat Kuemper, resulting in the end of his night. Prior to his exit, Kuemper stopped 13 of 16. Grand Rapids pushed ahead 4-0 at 13:01 of the second period. Pare finished off a play down to the side of the Houston net. Pare tucked his shot under the cross bar and past goalie Cody Reichard. Pare's 20th goal of the year was set up Jurco and Nathan Paetsch.
In the third period, Pare struck for his second goal of the night, extending Grand Rapids lead to 5-0 at 6:10. His 21st of the season was set up by Louis-Marc Aubry and Tristan Grant. Houston got on the scoreboard at 7:50 of the third period, trimming the deficit to 5-1. Stephane Veilleux put in a rebound for his third goal of the season. Jake Dowell and Dan DaSilva each had an assist on the tally.
Houston continues a ten-game home stand at Toyota Center on Thursday with San Antonio at 7:05 p.m. The game marks a "Thirsty Thursday", where fans (21 and older) receive a "second drink free coupon" for The Maple Leaf Pub (Smith and Elgin). The first 500 fans to The Maple Leaf Pub after the game will be able to redeem their coupon for their second drink free. Friday night, the Aeros welcome the Chicago Wolves at 7:05 p.m. The game is presented by Houston Eye Associates. The first 3,500 patrons will be given an Aeros magnetic picture frame, compliments of Houston Eye Associates.
Information on mini-plans for the remainder of the season is available on the team website at www.aeros.com . Groups of 15 or more receive a discount on all tickets, to book your group outing to an Aeros game please call 713-974-PUCK (7825).
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