Aeros Keep Rolling Along

Published on November 4, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


After 12 games, the Aeros continue to be the top team in the American Hockey League with a record of 11 wins and one loss for 22 points and a sparkling 91.7 winning percentage.

THE WEEK THAT WAS: Houston had a busy week as they traveled to Utah for a two-game set on Wednesday and Thursday before playing a home-and-home series with San Antonio over the weekend.

OCTOBER 30: The first game of the week saw the Aeros handed their first loss of the season, 4-3. Utah scored three power play goals en route to a 4-1 lead in the second period. Jean-Guy Trudel scored twice in the third to make the game close, but Utah held strong. The loss was the Aeros' first regular season loss since March 24, 2002 at Manitoba, a span of 15 games.

OCTOBER 31: There was no time to dwell on the game as the teams faced-off again the next night. This time, Houston scored twice in the second and third periods to record a 4-1 victory. Kyle Wanvig led the way with two goals.

NOVEMBER 1: The Aeros returned home to wrap up their second three-in-three of the young season. Houston topped their new neighbors, the Rampage, 5-3 as Hnat Domenichelli led the way with two goals and an assist.

NOVEMBER 3: Houston made their first trip west on I-10 to spoil the Rampage's home opener. The Aeros jumped out to a four-goal lead before San Antonio scored twice. Derek Gustafson turned away 29 of 31 shots to backstop the Aeros to a 4-2 victory.

NATIONAL PRIDE: Aeros defenseman Travis Roche will be joining the Canadian National Team for the Deutschland Cup in Hanover, Germany November 8 - 11. Roche was loaned by the Minnesota Wild and will first play with the National Team in an exhibition game on November 6 versus Germany in Cologne. The Deutschland Cup Tournament features teams from Canada, Switzerland, Germany and the United States. Roche will miss two Aeros games, Nov. 7 versus Grand Rapids and Nov. 10 vs. San Antonio.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES: Last season at this time, Kyle Wanvig was fighting an injured ankle that would result in him missing 43 of the last 44 regular season games in his first pro season. He ended the year with six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 34 games. Wanvig played 10 games for Houston this season and already has collected seven goals to lead the team. He also has five assists for a total of 12 points, ranking third on the team in points.

TOP TO BOTTOM, FRONT TO BACK: It's been a team effort that has the Aeros sitting on top of the AHL. Twenty separate players have collected at least one point for Houston, and all skaters who have played in at least six games have a point. Sunday night saw three players record their first points of the season, including veteran center Sylvain Cloutier. The other two players, Marc Cavosie and Jeff Hoggan, scored a goal and assist each to record their first pro points.

RED LIGHT DISTRICT: Houston is out-shooting and out-scoring its opponents consistently this season. The Aeros have allowed a total of 29 goals, while scoring 47, through 12 games. Houston's average of 3.92 goals per game is tied for second in the league. They rank third in goals allowed at 2.42 per game. The team also ranks third in shots taken at an average of 35.5 per game. They allow 28.9 shots against, ranking ninth in the AHL.

I'LL TAKE THE THIRD: The Aeros have made the third period their personal territory. They have outscored opponents 16-6 in the last frame and when leading after two periods, they are 7-0. Equally as impressive is the Aeros' record when they don't lead after two. They have won both games that were tied during the second intermission and are 2-1 in games where they trailed after two periods of play.

POWER PLAY: Houston's power play scored two or more goals in four consecutive games before being blanked on Sunday. In the last six games, the power play is clicking at 26.2% (11 of 42). For the season, the team is 18-95, 18.9% and ranks fifth. The power play is even better at home, 7-34, 20.6%, ranking sixth.

PENALTY KILLING: Houston's penalty killing has been strong recently, allowing only one goal over the past three games, on 15 chances. Overall, the Aeros are 65-77, 84.4% ranking 14th. They are stronger at home, 27-30, 90%, tied for sixth.

NEWS AND NOTES:

* RW Jean-Guy Trudel continues to pace the Aeros in scoring with 6-9-15 in 12 games, is tied for fourth in the league in scoring;

* C Cory Larose ranks second on the team with 1-12-13 and is second in the league in assists;

* D Lawrence Nycholat has recorded two three-game point streaks (1-4-5 & 0-3-3). He also has been plus or even in every game and leads the team at +9 and ranks tied for 10th among defenseman scoring with 1-7-8;

* RW Kyle Wanvig leads the team with seven goals and has collected points in seven of his ten games;

* C Marc Cavosie scored a goal and assist on Sunday at San Antonio for his first pro points in his second game;

* RW Jeff Hoggan also collected a goal and assist on Sunday to record his first points as a pro;

* Rookie D Erik Reitz had a three game point streak (1-4-5) snapped on Sunday;

* G Derek Gustafson leads the league in wins with six (tied) and ranks fifth in GAA (2.32)

* G Dieter Kochan is second in the AHL with five wins and ranks 13th in GAA (2.41);

WILD WATCH: Minnesota continues to lead the National Hockey League's Northwest Division with a record of 8-2-2 for 18 points. G Manny Fernandez is 6-1 with a sparkling 1.84 goals against average. The Wild spend this week on the road, playing at Los Angeles today, at Phoenix on Thursday, at San Jose on Saturday and finally at Anaheim on Sunday.

ICEGATOR UPDATE: Louisiana has played 10 games and have a record of 6-3-1 for 13 points. They currently rank third in the East Coast Hockey League's Southwest Division. They play three games this week, Thursday and Saturday versus Arkansas and host Greenville on Sunday.

UPCOMING GAMES

Thursday 11/7 VS. GRAND RAPIDS

The Griffins make their first trip to Houston after the teams played two games at Van Andel Arena in October. The Aeros won the previous two match-ups, each by a score of 4-2.

Sunday 11/10 VS. SAN ANTONIO

Houston hosts San Antonio for the third time in two weeks. The Aeros won the first game 5-4 on Oct. 26 and also won the second match-up 5-3 on Nov. 1 before traveling to San Antonio to record a 4-2 win.

Thursday 11/14 VS. MILWAUKEE

Milwaukee travels to Houston for the first of 10 games between the two teams. Houston was .500 against the Admirals at home in 2001-02 and won all six games in Milwaukee.

Friday 11/15 AT GRAND RAPIDS

Houston makes its third visit to Grand Rapids this season and last until late January. The Aeros are 6-7-2 all-time in Grand Rapids, including the two wins this season.

Thursday 11/21 VS. HARTFORD

The WolfPack makes its lone visit to Houston. Last season the teams played four times and both teams won twice, including a split in each building.

ON THE AIR: Houston Aeros games can be heard on AM 700 "The Voice" KSEV this season. All Aeros games are also available via the internet at www.aeros.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 4, 2002


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