Barons jet past Aeros 3-1

Published on January 21, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


Cleveland, OH – Brad Boyes and Tavis Hansen scored 53 seconds apart early in the second period, as the Cleveland Barons beat the Houston Aeros 3-1 at Gund Arena. Former Aero Greg Labenski added a third-period goal and Nolan Schaefer finished with 19 saves for the Barons, who matched a season-high with their third straight win. Cleveland plays host to the Aeros again Friday at 6 p.m. Dan Cavanaugh scored his first goal in 18 games and Johan Holmqvist posted 20 saves for the Aeros, who are winless in a franchise-record 12 games (0-4-7-1) and have lost back-to-back games for the first time since a four-game streak from November 28-December 3. Houston played its fourth straight game without head coach Todd McLellan, who is out of the hospital but still ill. Matt Shaw coached the team again in McLellan's absence.

Mark Cullen, who returned from a 22-game absence due to injury last week, started the Aeros' lone scoring play with a pass through the slot. The puck went off a Baron player's skate right to Cavanaugh, who slid it by a surprised Schaefer for his eighth goal – first since December 12 – at 10:02 of the first. It also marked Cavanaugh's first point since January 4 versus Rochester.

Houston, which has scored six total goals in its last six games, is winless in the last seven games (0-3-4) when scoring first. Cleveland outshot Houston 9-3 in the opening 20 minutes.

After Houston had several good chances on a power play early in the second period, Cleveland scored twice in a 53-second span to take the lead.

Boyes picked up a loose puck just inside the blueline after Houston's Jason Beckett lost his balance, and Boyes wristed one by Holmqvist from long distance for his 14th of the season at the 5:06 mark. Miroslav Zalesak assisted on the play, picking up his league-leading 48th point of the season.

Hansen tallied his eighth off a rebound at 5:59. Patric Rissmiller put a shot on net, and Holmqvist made the save but gave up the rebound. Hansen put it by the netminder to put the Barons on top 2-1.

The Aeros finished the second period outshooting the Barons 11-6, but Cleveland scored on two of its six shots.

Houston went on the power play twice in the third period, but couldn't get a serious chance at Schaefer. The Aeros outhot Cleveland 9-5 in the third period, but the Barons were able to keep Houston out of the goal.

Labenski, who played seven games with Houston in 2001-02, finished the scoring for the Barons with 1:32 left, before Houston could pull Holmqvist.

Houston went 0-for-3 on the power play, while Cleveland finished 0-for-2.

Notes:

Holmqvist was backed up by Tyler Masters of ECHL Cincinnati, with Kyle Kettles at home with a minor groin injury.

Cullen's assist was his first point since November 23 in San Antonio.

The Aeros' last win was a 2-1 decision against San Antonio December 26.

Houston mustered three first-period shots and 23 overall despite entering the league first in shots while Cleveland ranked 28th and last in shots against.

Holmqvist is winless in his last seven decisions (0-4-3) and the team is winless in his last eight starts.

The Aeros are 0-for-13 on the power play in the last three games. Cleveland entered the game ranked 25th in the league on the penalty kill.

Houston is winless (1-18-6-2) in 27 games when allowing more than one goal.

The Aeros are winless in six straight road games (0-3-3), tying their season-high and franchise-record mark.

Zalesak has points in 18 of 20 games.

Houston fell to 3-2-0 all-time in Cleveland and 7-4-0 all-time versus the Barons.

The Aeros' 12-game winless streak is the longest in the AHL since Cleveland went without a win in 13 straight from March 15 through the end of last season.

Stephane Veilleux played in his 150th game with the Aeros.

Schaefer, who began the season in ECHL Fresno, improved to 5-2-0 with the Barons.

The Aeros have scored two goals or fewer in 13 of 16 games.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2004


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