Aeros Weekly

Published on March 25, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


NEXT FIVE DATE OPPONENT TIME AEROS' RECORD AGAINST BROADCAST INFO
3-27 vs. Cincinnati 7:00 PM 0-2-0-0, 0 pts. SportsRadio 610 AM
3-29 vs. Cincinnati 7:00 PM 0-2-0-0, 0 pts. SportsRadio 610 AM
3-30 at Milwaukee 7:30 PM CST 6-3-0-0, 12 pts. SportsRadio 610 AM
4-1 at Utah 7:00 PM CST 4-5-1-1, 10 pts. SportsRadio 610 AM; Channel 55, The Tube
4-3 vs. Milwaukee 7:00 PM 6-3-0-0, 12 pts. SportsRadio 610 AM
All games are broadcast on the Aeros' website at www.aeros.com

HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

AEROS GET SNOWED ON THE ROAD: It was a rough road for the Aeros last week away from Compaq Center, as they went 1-2-0-0 in games at Chicago and Winnipeg. After falling to the Wolves by a 4-2 count March 20, the Aeros rebounded with a solid 4-3 win at Manitoba March 22. But that was their lone win of the trip, when the Moose picked up a 5-2 win in the rematch March 24. Aeros' rookie sensation Cory Larose was the highlight of the trip, posting 2-3-5 in three games and increasing his scoring lead among league freshmen to 29-26-55.

LOOKING AHEAD: The Aeros didn't make things any easier for themselves in the scoring race, as they slipped to sixth overall in the Western Conference standings. There are three games on tap for this week, as the Aeros host the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Wednesday and Friday, followed by a quick trip to Milwaukee on Saturday. The Ducks, who feature former Aeros' netminder Jason Elliott, have had their way with the Aeros this season, going 2-0-0-0 in the first two meetings between the teams this season. This will be the first-ever trip to Houston for the Ducks, who share an affiliation with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Detroit Red Wings.

AS IT STANDS: The Western Conference race is tighter than ever, as only six points separate fifth and 10th place. The Aeros are in sixth place with 80 points, just one point ahead of seventh place Hershey. To ensure a first-round bye, the Aeros must finish in sixth place or higher, or be faced with playing a best-of-three qualifying round. Grand Rapids leads the Conference with 89 points, followed by Syracuse (86 pts.), Norfolk (84 pts.) and Utah (84 pts.). If the playoffs were to start today, the Aeros would face the Norfolk Admirals in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, which is a best-of-five series.

SUDDEN IMPACT: Two new Aeros are making their presence felt on the lineup, as D Mike Crowley and LW Greg Crozier have been making an instant scoring impact with the team. Crowley, assigned by Minnesota (NHL) March 17, has registered 1-1-2 in his first four games of the season, after missing the entire year recovering from a lacerated Achilles' suffered during training camp at Minnesota. Crozier, acquired by the Wild at the trading deadline in a trade with Boston for LW Darryl Laplante, played his first game with the Aeros at Chicago March 20. In three games, he has tallied 1-2-3 and is one of the most proficient scorers Aeros' fans have yet to see.

ON THE MEND: The Aeros' lineup, primarily the defense, has taken a beating in the past weeks, as key blueliners Travis Roche, David Cullen and Kevin Bolibruck continue to recuperate from injuries. Cullen is expected back shortly, while Roche and Bolibruck will still require some down time to heal. Sidelined over half the season with a bad ankle, winger Kyle Wanvig is hopeful to return to the lineup in time for the playoffs.

WILD THINGS: Two former Aeros are enjoying successful stints with the parent club Minnesota Wild. C Richard Park, who was recalled from the Aeros last November, has tallied 8-12-20 in 52 games with the Wild this season. Now approaching a career-high for NHL games played in a season, Park was recently nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. One of the most prestigious individual awards in the NHL, Wild/Aeros' netminder Jamie McLennan was the 1997-98 recipient while playing for St. Louis. RW Tony Virta got his first taste of NHL hockey action last week, when he made his Wild debut March 20 against the Blue Jackets. Virta has appeared in two games with the Wild so far, and will remain with the team as they head out for games at St. Louis and Atlanta. ‘GATOR BAIT: The ECHL regular-season champion IceGators head into their final week of the regular season with their home-closer tomorrow against Jackson, before heading out to Baton Rouge for a match-up on Thursday. The IceGators finish up at Jackson on Friday. Having dominated the league since the earliest part of the season, the IceGators boast a 53-12-4 record for 110 points. G Frederic Cloutier has amassed a league-leading 27-5-3 record, with a 1.89 GAA and six shutouts.

OUT AND ABOUT WITH THE AEROS ALL GUSSIED UP: Aeros' fans need to be sure to get to the Compaq Center early on Friday prior to the showdown with the Ducks, as the first 3,000 fans through the door will receive a Derek Gustafson Bobble Head doll, courtesy of Coca-Cola. The limited-edition doll, which features the likeness of the Aeros' goaltender, is the second bobble head doll issued by the Aeros this year, after Chilly was featured earlier in the season.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY: Olympic Gold Medallist Stephen Lopez will be on hand signing autographs Friday during the Aeros game against the Mighty Ducks. Lopez, a graduate of Kempner High School in Sugar Land, was the first person to earn a gold medal in Tae Kwon Do when it became a recognized Olympic medal sport in 2000. Lopez still resides in Sugar Land, where he operates the Elite Tae Kwon Do Academy.

CHA-CHING: Two Aeros are making their points count for more than just goals and assists this season, as C Mark Beaufait and D Travis Roche will be donating money to Houston-area charities based on their scoring prowess throughout the regular season and playoffs. For every goal Beaufait scores this season, Memorial Hermann will donate $100 to Houston Aeros Charities. Beaufait added his 14th goal of the season a 4-3 win at Manitoba March 22, upping his total contribution to $1400. This season, Roche has pledged to personally donate $100 a goal, $50 an assist and $5 a penalty minute to Kids Unlimited, a foundation that works with children with cancer and their families. Prior to his injury, Roche had amassed 13 goals, 21 assists and 105 PIM for a total of $2875. While sidelined, Roche has agreed to sponsor fellow d-man Curtis Murphy, who has netted an extra $50 for an assist and $20 with four PIM so far, increasing the total to $2945.

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American Hockey League Stories from March 25, 2002


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