Aeros Weekly Briefing
October 14, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
GAME RECAP: FRIDAY OCTOBER 11 - OPENING NIGHT
In a reversal of form for the Houston franchise, the team won it's home opener Friday night, defeating Utah 3-1. The offensive star of the game was Aeros LW Jeremy Stevenson, who scored twice in the first period (what might have been a third goal was wiped out by a penalty).
Utah cut the Houston lead to 2-1 as D John Erskine scored on a long slap shot 18:58 into the opening period. The lone goal of the second period was chalked up by rookie C Mark Cullen, who swatted a rebound off a Curtis Murphy shot to give Houston the 3-1 victory.
After allowing 30 shots in the first two periods, the Aeros' defense turned it up a notch, holding Utah to just four shots in the final 20 minutes to preserve the victory. Houston G Dieter Kochan stopped 33 shots for his first win in an Aeros jersey. Houston peppered Grizzlies netminder Corey Hirsch with 45 shots.
GAME RECAP: SATURDAY OCTOBER 12
Houston capped off a successful opening weekend, by defeating Utah 3-1 in Saturday's game. The Grizzlies opened the scoring with a power play goal by LW Steve Ott midway through the first period. The Aeros tied the game two minutes later when RW Tony Virta tallied on the power play. Later in the period C Rickard Wallin scored his first goal with the Aeros.
The score remained the same until D Curtis Murphy scored an empty net goal with under a minute remaining. Houston attacked Utah rookie G Jason Bacashuhua with 49 shots. Houston's G Derek Gustafson stopped 20 of 21 shots, including a shorthanded breakaway chance for his first save of the game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Power Play: Houston had nine chances on the power on Friday and followed that with 10 on Saturday. For the weekend, the club went 2 of 19 for a 10.5% success rate. Penalty Killing: The penalty killers were very busy also, but stood up well to the task. In 19 chances over both games, only one goal was allowed, ranking the penalty killing at 94.7%. Included in those chances were several five-on-threes.
A FRIENDLY HELLO: The stars of Friday's game were newcomers as LW Jeremy Stevenson tallied two goals, including one on the power play and the game winner. Rookie C Mark Cullen made his pro debut a memorable one as he scored the final Houston goal. And G Dieter Kochan stood strong in net, turning away 33 of 34 shots, including 11 power play chances. RW Tony Tuzzolino and C Rickard Wallin added assists for their first points in an Aeros uniform.
WELCOME BACK: Not to be outdone by the newcomers, Saturday night belonged to some familiar faces. RW Tony Virta scored a power play goal to tie the game at one midway through the first period and then assisted on the game winning goal later in that period by C Rickard Wallin. The game was iced when D Curtis Murphy scored an empty net goal with 50 seconds remaining. G Derek Gustafson made his season debut and allowed only the power play goal. He was sharp in a difficult game, as Houston dominated the shots on goal, 50 - 20.
ON THE AIR: The Aeros' games can be heard on AM 700, "The Voice," KSEV Radio. During the upcoming road trip, the game at Grand Rapids Friday, Oct. 18th will begin on a "join-in-progress" basis at 7:00 PM. It will also be 7:00 PM (J-I-P) broadcasts from Cleveland Wed. Oct. 23, and from Grand Rapids Thursday, Oct. 24th. All other games will be heard in their entirety. Aeros games can also be heard over the internet at www.aeros.com.
UPCOMING GAMES
Friday 10/18 at GRAND RAPIDS The Aeros and Griffins renew old acquaintances in the first of 10 match-ups this season. In 2001-02, the teams played 12 times, 5 of which ended tied. Houston was 3-4 in the other 7 match-ups.
Saturday 10/19 at CINCINNATI
In the middle game of a busy second weekend, the Aeros play back-to-back match-ups against the Mighty Ducks. Last season, Houston went 1-2-1 against Cincinnati, including 0-2-0 on the road.
Sunday 10/20 at CINCINNATI
Houston wraps up its first 3-in-3 with a second game against Cincinnati. This is the Aeros only visit to the Queen City this season.
Wednesday 10/23 at CLEVELAND
The five game road trip continues as Houston travels to Cleveland to take on San Jose's prospects. The teams played for the first time in 2001-02 and the Aeros won the series 3 games to 1.
Thursday 10/24 at GRAND RAPIDS
The first road trip of the season ends where it began against the Griffins. It will be Houston's fifth game in seven nights, all on the road.
American Hockey League Stories from October 14, 2002
- Bulldogs Win Season Opener - Hamilton Bulldogs
- First Annual Ace Bailey Classic Tees Off Tomorrow - Manchester Monarchs
- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Home Opening Weekend - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Old Rivals Houston and Chicago Visit this Weekend - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Sound Tigers Open 2002-03 Season, Raise 2001-02 Banners - Bridgeport Islanders
- Phantoms Weekly - Adirondack Phantoms
- Bridgeport Sound Tigers Announce Roster Moves - Bridgeport Islanders
- Pirates Weekly - Portland Pirates
- Express Mart Mini Banner Give-Away Set For Saturday, October 19 - Syracuse Crunch
- Hartford Civic Center to Unveil New Curtaining System - Connecticut Whale
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
- AHL's 67th Opener a Success - AHL
- Aeros Weekly Briefing - Houston Aeros
- Zigomanis Named Week's Top Player - AHL
- Crunch Extend Radio Deal - Syracuse Crunch
- Canucks recall Baumgartner - Manitoba Moose
- Norfolk Begins Season in First Place - Norfolk Admirals
- Crunch Weekly - Syracuse Crunch
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