Aeros stifle Heat with 5-4 OT victory

Published on January 23, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


HOUSTON - D Brandon Rogers scored the overtime game-winner, C Cody Almond added three assists and the Houston Aeros (22-17-6-1) scored three powerplay goals en route to a 5-4 victory over the Abbotsford Heat (21-19-4-3) Saturday night in front of 3,666 at the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre. G Wade Dubielewicz (11-9-0) stopped 26 of 30 shots on goal to earn the win while G Matt Keetley (8-6-1) made 19 saves in the loss.

The Aeros entered the game having scored all four first-period goals in the season series with Abbotsford, but it was the Heat that did all the scoring in the opening frame Saturday. RW David Van der Gulik tallied his seventh of the year 1:17 into the first period beating Dubielewicz to give the Heat a 1-0 lead. Abbotsford took a 2-0 lead at the 12:16 mark when D Josh Meyers fired a left-point shot through traffic for a powerplay goal. It was Abbotsford's first powerplay goal in 11 chances against the Aeros this season.

Houston answered in a big way with a trio of powerplay goals in the middle frame. LW Petr Kalus sent a one-timer from the top of the right circle to the back of the net at 1:39 for his second powerplay marker in as many nights to cut the lead to one. D Maxim Noreau, coming off a five-point (2-3=5) game last night, tied the game at the 4:20 mark when he whistled one over the right shoulder of Keetley for his 13th of the year to lead all AHL defensemen. Aeros captain RW Jon DiSalvatore gave Houston its first lead of the night 1:13 later when his sharp-angle bid found the netting for his 16th goal and 19th powerplay point of the season, both lead the club. Almond received assists on each of the three second-period goals to give him his first career three-point game.

The Heat stormed out of the locker room to reclaim the lead early in the final stanza. LW Cam Cummings through the puck on net from the bottom of the right circle tying the game at 3-3 and with Dubielewicz trapped under a pair of skaters LW Colin Stuart slapped the puck home to give Abbotsford its second lead of the game.

However, the Aeros would claw their way back once again late in the period. With 1:13 remaining in regulation, C Chad Rau cut his way through traffic into the slot and sent a backhander toward the cage. Keetley stopped Rau's initial shot, but RW Duncan Milroy was on the scene to bat the puck out of mid-air for his eighth of the season sending the game to overtime.

Houston hadn't won an overtime game sine a 5-4 win over Syracuse at Toyota Center Dec. 28, 2009, but Rogers changed that 2:43 into the extra session. Rogers' shot took a generous bounce off the end glass finding its way behind Keetley where it'd deflect off the goalie's back and into the net for his third goal of the season. Only Bridgeport (16) has played more games beyond regulation than the Aeros' 14.

The Aeros have 10 powerplay goals in 17 opportunities against the Heat this season including a 3-for-6 showing Saturday while the Heat finished 1-for-6 on the night. Abbotsford outshot the Aeros 30-24.

The Aeros continue its season-high five-game road trip in Chicago Wednesday, Jan. 27. Puck drop between the Wolves and the Aeros is scheduled for 7 p.m. Watch the game live on ahllive.com, listen to Joe O'Donnell's call on 1070 AM-KNTH and follow the interactive in-game blog on aeros.com.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2010


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