Aeros Hold off Barons, Claim 3-2 Win
March 22, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
Oklahoma City, OK - The Houston Aeros (33-22-4-4, 74 points) defeated the Oklahoma City Barons (29-23-2-7, 67 points) 3-2 on Friday night in front of 4,098 fans at the Cox Convention Center. Center Mikael Granlund scored early in the third period and Houston held on for the one-goal win on the road. Defenseman Brian Connelly and forward Dan DaSilva also scored to lead Houston to its eighth win over their South Division rivals this season. Houston goalie Darcy Kuemper (13-7-0) stopped 23 of 25 in the win, as the Aeros improved to 17-14-2-2 on the road this year. Oklahoma City goalie Yann Danis (16-14-4) stopped 24 Aeros shots in the defeat. Granlund added an assist, while forward Justin Fontaine set up two goals, as the Aeros picked up points for the fourth time in their last five outings. C.J. Stretch had a goal and an assist, while Dane Byers also scored for Oklahoma City. The Aeros will return home on Saturday to host the Rochester Americans at 7:05 p.m.
Dan DaSilva put the Aeros ahead at 11:08 of the first period, tipping one past Oklahoma City goalie Yann Danis for the 1-0 lead. Justin Fontaine and Mikael Granlund each had an assist on DaSilva's third goal of the season. The lead was short-lived as C.J. Stretch tied the game 17 seconds later off assists by Nathan Deck and Josh Green. Stretch's fourth goal of the season sent the two teams to the locker tied 1-1 after one period of play.
Brian Connelly gave Houston a 2-1 lead hitting a shot from the point inside the blue line through traffic and past Danis at 10:08 of the second period. Forwards Riley Grantham and Kirk MacDonald each had an assist on Connelly's fifth goal of the season.
Granlund extended the Aeros' advantage to 3-1 at 2:05 in the third. He scored off a rebound for his ninth goal of the season. Defenseman Steven Kampfer and Fontaine set up the goal. Dane Byers cut Houston's lead to 3-2 at 14:23 in the third period with a power-play goal off a scrum in front of the Houston net. Stretch had the lone assist on the goal.
Houston begins a ten-game home stand at Toyota Center on Saturday, Mar. 23 vs. Rochester at 7:05 p.m. The Aeros will celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Night on Mar. 23. As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Night, the team will hold a silent auction for charity on the concourse. The Texas Stars will visit the Aeros on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.
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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