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Aeros Beat Texas 4-3, Clinch Calder Cup Playoff

April 19, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


Cedar Park, TX - The Houston Aeros (39-25-5-5, 88 points) defeated the Texas Stars (43-21-5-6, 97 points) 4-3 on Friday night in front of 5,416 fans at Cedar Park Center. Houston forward Carson McMillan put in a rebound with 10:53 left in regulation, breaking a 3-3 tie and giving the Aeros a road win, which clinches the team's appearance in the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs. Center Chad Rau led the way, scoring twice and setting up the game-winning tally for three points on the night. Aeros goalie Josh Harding (1-0-0) stopped 33 of 36 Texas shots for victory. Aeros forward Dan DaSilva also scored in the win. Texas goalie Christopher Nilstorp (19-12-3) finished with 26 saves on 30 shots in defeat. Houston ends the regular season with a three-game road trip continuing Saturday in San Antonio against the Rampage at 7:00 p.m.

Houston opened the scoring 2:33 into the game when Dan DaSilva netted the game's first goal for the 1-0 lead. Zack Phillips and Brian Connelly each picked up an assist on DaSilva's seventh goal of the season. Phillips' wrist shot was blocked down by goalie Christopher Nilstorp, but the rebound was picked up and pocketed by DaSilva. The Stars evened the score 1-1, tying the game with 9:43 remaining in the opening frame. Center Justin Dowling fired a shot from the right-wing wall, as the puck slipped through traffic and into the back of the net. Dowling's 16th goal of the year was set up by defenseman Maxime Fortunus at 10:17.

Houston regained its one-goal lead at 5:52 of the second period. Center Chad Rau picked up a loose puck off a faceoff and slipped a shot between the legs of Nilstorp for the 2-1 lead. The unassisted power-play goal was Rau's 15th of the season. The Stars countered at 6:52, tying the game 2-2 one minute later. Joe Morrow tipped a rebound past Harding for his fifth goal of the season. Forwards Brett Sonne and Colton Sceviour each had an assist on the team's second goal of the night. Houston inched back in front with a shorthanded goal by Rau, his second goal of the night. His 16th of the season came off a pass from David McIntyre, who sprung Rau for a breakaway. Rau beat Nilstorp with a shot that passed through the five-hole for the 3-2 lead at 9:04 of the second period.

Texas forward Francis Wathier tied the game 3-3 less than four minutes into the third period. Wathier beat Harding with a low shot at 3:35 of the period. Defenseman Maxime Fortunus and Travis Morin each had an assist on Wathier's fourth goal of the season. Houston pulled in front for good at 9:07 of the final frame. Rau rifled a shot to the Texas net and Carson McMillan picked up the rebound for the go-ahead goal. His ninth goal of the season wrapped up the scoring at 4-3.

Houston finishes the regular season with a three-game road trip starting Friday at the Texas Stars at 7:30 p.m. before heading to San Antonio Saturday to take on the Rampage at 7 p.m. The Aeros end the regular season Sunday, April 21st at the Oklahoma City Barons at 4 p.m.

Calder Cup Playoff ticket information is available on www.aeros.com. A playoff schedule will be released once it is made available. Tickets for the playoffs will go on sale at 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Groups of 15 or more receive a discount on all tickets, to book your group outing to an Aeros Calder Cup Playoff game please call 713-974-PUCK (7825).

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