Aeros rally falls short

Published on December 29, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Chris Ferraro tallied a goal and an assist, Bill Thomas and Pascal Rheaume had a goal apiece and Josh Tordjman made 20 of his 38 saves in the third period, as the San Antonio Rampage defeated the Houston Aeros 3-2 at AT&T Center. San Antonio (11-20-1-1) earned its first regulation win since November 21 - also against the Aeros.

Mattias Weinhandl scored two goals and Tony Quesada made 24 stops for the Aeros (14-16-0-3), who had won four of five. Aeros goalie Josh Harding, who played in 30 of his team's first 32 games, didn't make the trip due to the flu.

The Aeros return home Saturday, when they again play host to the Rampage at 7:35 p.m. For that game, get $20 center ice seats (normally $30) or $15 corner seats (normally $22). This offer is only available through the Aeros office at 713.974.PUCK beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.

San Antonio scored on each of its first two shots, taking a 2-0 lead with 4:49 gone. The Rampage has scored first in a league-low 11 games this season.

San Antonio needed only 25 seconds to get on the board. Keith Yandle intercepted a Clayton Stoner attempted feed at the right point and sent a shot on net. Ferraro, signed to a PTO by the Rampage on Tuesday, deflected the puck by Quesada for his second goal in as many nights.

The Rampage extended to a 2-0 lead at the 4:49 mark on Thomas' ninth goal of the season. Nick Martens fired a shot from the left point off the end boards. The puck trickled to Thomas in the left circle, and he blasted a shot over Quesada's glove.

Quesada stoned Rampage leading scorer Yanick Lehoux from point blank range midway through the first after a turnover deep in the Houston zone.

Weinhandl cut the Rampage lead in half with his third goal, 11:21 into the first. Taking a pass from Roman Voloshenko, Weinhandl stickhandled through the defense in the left circle, and then ripped a high shot over Tordjman.

Aeros rookie Danny Irmen fought Martens with 3:57 left in the first - the only penalties of the opening period.

Rheaume scored 31 seconds into the second to push San Antonio's lead to 3-1. He broke past Curtis Murphy, took a feed from Randall Gelech and poked the puck in the net from low in the left circle for his seventh goal of the season.

Weinhandl found himself alone near the net five minutes into the third, but Tordjman stopped his shot from a bad angle.

Murphy, Matt Foy and Benoit Pouliot had consecutive chances with four minutes left, but Tordjman was brilliant.

Weinhandl, though, got the Aeros within 3-2 with 3:05 remaining. Tordjman made the save on Weinhandl, but he lost track of the puck, which ended up just over the line inside the far post.

Less than a minute later, Foy slapped a shot just wide of the post.

San Antonio's Bryan Helmer went off for hooking with 1:09 left, but Aeros rookie Ben Thomson was called for diving to negate the power play.

The Aeros pulled Quesada with 30 seconds left but couldn't get a clear attempt at the Rampage net.

Houston finished 0-for-3 on the power play, while San Antonio went 0-for-1.

Notes:

Not dressing for the Aeros were Harding, Dieter Kochan, John Scott, Chris Ovington and Joey Tetarenko.

The Aeros recalled Miroslav Kopriva from ECHL Texas to back up Quesada. Kopriva was 6-1-0 with a 2.76 gaa in 12 games for the Wildcatters.

The Aeros are 1-11-0-1 when scoring two or fewer goals. They are 13-5-0-2 when scoring three or more.

Weinhandl has nine points (4-5=9) in six games since being assigned by Minnesota.

Each of San Antonio's last six games has been decided by one goal (2-2-1-1).

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American Hockey League Stories from December 29, 2006


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