Aeros fly to 3-2 comeback win over Griffins

Published on February 6, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


HOUSTON - C Peter Zingoni scored the game-winner 12:24 into the third period as the Houston Aeros (26-20-6-1) scored three unanswered goals to defeat the Grand Rapids Griffins (22-28-0-1) 3-2 in front of 7,034 at Van Andel Arena Saturday night. Forwards Petr Kalus and Cody Almond also scored for Houston and G Barry Brust (4-1-0) made 20 saves to earn his fourth win in as many starts. G Thomas McCollum (7-11-0) stopped 30 of 33 shots to get saddled with the loss.

Both clubs played to a clean first period that saw no penalties for either side. The Aeros fell behind 1-0 when Griffins' RW Francis Pare sent a short-side wrister over the left shoulder of Brust at 7:11; C Evan McGrath and D Jakub Kindl were credited with the helpers.

The Griffins extended its lead to two goals just 35 seconds into the middle stanza. C Patrick Rissmiller fired a shot on net that rebounded to the stick of RW Jeremy Williams where he slammed the puck to the back of the net for his 17th of the season. The Aeros cut the lead to 2-1 late in the period when Kalus took a feed from Almond, turned and sent a snap shot past the glove of McCollum at 17:24. The goal is Kalus' 10th of the campaign and his fourth point in five games (2g, 2a).

The Griffins looked to regain its two-goal advantage early in the third period when Rissmiller had a short-handed breakaway attempt, but Brust dove out in front of the crease, taking away a shooting lane forcing the shot wide. Seconds later Houston evened the score at 2-2 at the 6:41 mark with a power play goal off the stick of Almond. RW Duncan Milroy found the rookie for a one-timer at the right faceoff dot for his 11th of the season. RW Jon DiSalvatore, playing in his 500th professional game, had the secondary helper for his 40th point this season tying him for the club lead.

Later in the period, Zingoni scored his second goal in as many games, unassisted at 12:24. Almond flew into the Griffins' zone on the forecheck forcing a turnover where Zingoni took possession inside the right circle and beat McCollum for his sixth marker of the season.

The Aeros outshot Grand Rapids 33-22 and tallied 10+ shots in all three periods for the first time since outshooting Rockford 35-20 Jan. 15. at the Rockford Metro Centre. Houston went 1-for-3 on the power play and killed the Griffins' only man advantage on the night.

Houston returns home Friday, Feb. 12, vs. the Griffins, 7:35 p.m. from Toyota Center. It is the first of three games in three days at Toyota Center as the Aeros will host the Griffins Saturday, Feb. 13, at 7:35 p.m., followed by the Chicago Wolves Sunday, Feb. 14, at 4:05 p.m. Watch the games live on ahllive.com or listen to Joe O'Donnell's play-by-play on 1070 AM-KNTH. Follow the interactive in-game blog on aeros.com. Check out the Aeros "Sweetheart Deal" and get $25 Center Ice Seats, an Aeros fleece blanket and an autographed puck. For more information visit aeros.com or call 713-974-PUCK (7825).

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American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2010


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