Aeros go 1-2-0 on Northeast swing; play six of final eight at Toyota Center

March 22, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


Week in review: WOR 5, HOU 2; NOR 3, HOU 2; HOU 5, NOR 3

The Aeros came home from their four-game road trip with three out of a possible eight points thanks to a big 5-3 win over Norfolk on Sunday. The victory avenged a 3-2 loss to the Admirals on Saturday.

In the 5-3 win, defenseman Kevin Mitchell scored twice in a four-goal second period for his first career two-goal game in his 211th professional contest. Christoph Brandner and red-hot Jeff Hoggan also had goals in the second, and Mark Cullen's two assists raised another $100 ($550 total) for Sunshine Kids.

Johan Holmqvist made 28 saves for Houston, which had scored just five goals in going 0-2-0-1 in the first three games of the road trip.

Saturday, Matt Ellison's power play goal snapped a tie late in the second period, and the Admirals went on to a 3-2 victory over the Aeros at The Scope.

Hoggan and Brandner each scored and Holmqvist made 32 saves for Houston.

The trip began with a 5-2 loss in Worcester on Wednesday, after the Aeros had taken a 1-0 lead late in the first period.

Mike Glumac tallied a goal and two assists in a five-score second period and Curtis Sanford finished with 36 saves for the IceCats.

Hoggan and Kyle Wanvig each scored for Houston, which got 13 saves from Johan Holmqvist before he was pulled after 40 minutes.

West Standings, 3/22

X-Milwaukee 92 11 GR

X-Grand Rapids 90 10 GR

X-Chicago 82 10 GR

Houston 65 8 GR

Cincinnati 60 11 GR

San Antonio 58 14 GR

Utah 58 8 GR

X - Clinched playoff spot

Coming attractions:

Houston plays six of its last eight games at home, and also six of its final eight against teams chasing the Aeros in the race for the post-season.

TUE, vs. UTA, 7:00 p.m.

The Grizzlies and Aeros meet for the final time this season, with Utah clinging for its post-season life. The Grizzlies' 58 points have them just two points out of the final playoff spot in the West. Houston is 5-4-0 this season against Utah, including three straight wins at Toyota Center.

FRI, at SAN, 7:00 p.m.

The Aeros and Rampage begin their final home-and-home set of the season. Houston leads San Antonio by seven points, but the Rampage has six games in hand. The Aeros have only one regulation loss in 10 meetings against San Antonio this season (5-1-2-2). Houston is also unbeaten in regulation in its last six at SBC Center (2-0-2-2).

SAT, vs. SAN, 7:00 p.m.

Dan Cavanaugh Bobblehead Night (3,000)

Houston has won nine of the 11 meetings with San Antonio at Toyota Center.

SUN, vs. MIL, 5:00 p.m.

Family Day/Girl Scout Night/Klacker giveaway (3,000)

Houston tries for its first win against Milwaukee since Opening Night. The Aeros are 0-6-1-1 since, although they did forge a 3-3 tie at Bradley Center February 26.

Hoggan tearing it up – Aeros right winger Jeff Hoggan has a goal in each of his last three games to establish a new career high. Hoggan has added two assists in the three-game point streak, which has tied two other spans this season for his career-best. The rugged winger has 31 points (17+14=31), and his 17 goals are second on the team. In his rookie season in 2002-03, Hoggan totaled just 11 points (6+5=11). In his last 14 games, Hoggan has posted a negative plus-minus rating just once, and he is plus-12 in that span to move to plus-one on the season.

Sunshine Kids update – Mark Cullen posted four assists last week, raising another $200 for Sunshine Kids. Cullen, with the help of an anonymous local donor, has raised $550 since March 5 for the organization which helps children with cancer and their families. Cullen was diagnosed with malignant melanoma during Minnesota's training camp in September.

He said it – Minnesota Wild head coach Jacques Lemaire, on Zbynek Michalek: "Very steady. He's probably our best puck-moving defenseman. He's not a guy that we're hiding. He plays."

One-shot third period ties record - Houston got one shot on net in the third period of Sunday's 5-3 win over Norfolk, but it was an important one, as Travis Roche's empty netter sealed the victory. It marked the fifth time in franchise history that the Aeros have put just one shot on net in a stanza, and the first time in more than four seasons. Houston's last one-shot period came back on November 10, 1999, in a 5-2 win over Orlando. That marked the only time in franchise history the Aeros were held to one shot in a period at home.

Aeros, Ducks, Rampage, Grizzlies in a playoff dog-fight – Fourth-place Houston has 65 points, five more than Cincinnati and seven better than both San Antonio and Utah in the West Division. Cincinnati, which has three games in hand on the Aeros, is in Grand Rapids Wednesday in its next game. San Antonio, which has six games in hand on Houston, plays host to red-hot Milwaukee Tuesday. Utah, which along with Houston has played 72 games, is in Houston Tuesday. The top five teams in the West make the playoffs, with the fourth- and fifth-place team playing a three-game qualifying series at the higher seed. Home ice will be important, since the four teams chasing the final two playoff spots are a combined 43 games under .500 on the road.

Houston – 65 points (8 games left, 6H, 2R)

GR (1H/0R), MIL (1H/0R), UTA (1H/0R), SA (1H/1R), CIN (2H/1R)

Cincinnati – 60 points (11 games left, 4H, 7R)

CHI (1H/0R), MIL (0H/1R), CLE (2H/1R), GR (0H/1R), SA (0H/2R), HOU (1H/2R)

San Antonio – 58 points (14 games left, 6H, 8R)

MIL (1H/1R), HOU (1H/1R), CHI (0H/3R), GR (1H/1R), UTA (1H/2R), CIN (2H/0R)

Utah – 58 points (8 games left, 5H, 3R)

MIL (1H/0R), HOU (0H/1R), SA (2H/1R), GR (2H/0R), CLE (0H/1R)

Playoff strips on sale now - Fans, the 2004 Calder Cup Playoffs are around the corner, and your defending champion Aeros are closing in on a berth in the post-season. Playoff strips are now on sale, so you can enjoy all the action. Full playoff strips start at just $238, and you can buy strips for rounds 1-3 for $126. Playoff vouchers are also available. Flexibility is the key with a savings on the gate price. Call 713.974.PUCK to order your playoff package today!.

Player of the week RW Jeff Hoggan -

Hoggan had at least a point in each of the Aeros' three games last week (3+2=5)...Hoggan had four career multiple-point games heading into the week, but two last week alone...Had a part in both of Houston's goals (1+1=2) and was a plus two in a 5-2 loss at Worcester Wednesday...Scored in Saturday's 3-2 loss in Norfolk...Tallied go-ahead goal and assist in 5-3 win over Norfolk on Sunday...In his last 14 games, Hoggan has posted a negative plus-minus rating just once, and he is plus-12 in that span to move to plus-one on the season.

Hoggan this week...

3/17 at WOR 1-1-2 +2

3/20 at NOR 1-0-1 +1

3/21 at NOR 1-1-2 0

3gp, 3-2-5, +3



American Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2004


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