Aeros lose to Rivermen 5-2, teams now tied for second place

Published on March 28, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


PEORIA, Ill. - The Peoria Rivermen scored five unanswered goals and defeated the Houston Aeros 5-2 Saturday night at Carver Arena. Yan Stastny scored the game-tying and game-winning goals for the Rivermen (39-31-2-2) who are now tied with Houston (36-26-1-9) for second place in the West Division. Benoit Pouliot and Robbie Earl scored the opening two goals of the game for Houston, but Peoria answered with the final five goals in the contest. Houston heads to Rockford for a game tomorrow night against the IceHogs at 5:05 p.m. CST. Tune into Joe O'Donnell live on KNTH 1070-AM or watch online via AHLLIVE.com.

It was a tale of two games Saturday night at Carver Arena. The Aeros controlled throughout the first period and built a two-goal lead on goals by Benoit Pouliot and Robbie Earl. Houston peppered Peoria's goaltender Manny Legace with 18 shots compared to just eight for the home team. Pouliot scored at the 6:49 mark of the period when he tipped a centering pass from Krys Kolanos to the back post and beat Legace for his eighth goal of the season. Earl notched his sixth goal of the season with 1:14 remaining in the period to give the Aeros a 2-0 lead heading into the intermission. Danny Irmen and Tony Hrkac assisted on Earl's goal and the assist for Hrkac marked his first point of the season, and first since the 2005 AHL season.

Steve Regier scored his 20th goal of the season and first of two consecutive power play goals for Peoria at the 11:58 mark of the second period. Stastny quickly tied the game tied the game at two less than two minutes later on another power play, and the Rivermen carried the momentum for the remainder of the game.

Stastny scored the game-winning goal with 1:18 remaining in the second period to cap Peoria's three-goal second period. The home team added two more goals in the final frame including an empty netter by Chris Porter at the 17:57 mark of third period.

After outshooting the Rivermen 18-8 in the first period, Houston only managed five shots in each of the next two periods while Peoria registered 21 shots in the final two periods. Houston finished 0-2 on the power play and the Rivermen scored two power play goals on four chances.

The two teams are now tied for second place in the West Division with 82 points each however Houston has played two fewer games than Peoria. They will play one more game in the season series on April 3 in Peoria.

Houston will play their fourth game in five nights tomorrow night in Rockford at 5:05 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2009


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