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Foy, Bala score twice as Aeros ruin Rampage's homecoming 5-2

February 27, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


San Antonio, TX – Rookie Matt Foy returned from an 18-game absence due to illness with a penalty shot goal and another tally for his first career two-goal game, and Chris Bala also scored twice, as the Houston Aeros beat the San Antonio Rampage 5-2 at SBC Center to move into sole possession of fourth place in the West Division with 54 points. Rickard Wallin tacked on a power-play goal and Kyle Kettles finished with 26 saves for Houston, which moved a point ahead of Cincinnati (2-2 tie versus Philadelphia) and extended its lead over the sixth-place Rampage to six points. The top five teams in the West make the Calder Cup Playoffs. The Rampage travel to Toyota Center tomorrow to wrap up the home-and-home series at 7 p.m. The first 3,000 fans will receive hockey puck bottle openers as the Aeros open up a five-game homestand.

Houston, which gave head coach Todd McLellan his 149th career win, snapped its franchise-record nine-game road winless streak (0-7-2-0) and is now unbeaten in its last two games (1-0-1-0). The Aeros have scored eight goals in the last two games – a season-high for a two-game span. Houston won for the second time in its last eight trips to San Antonio (2-2-3-1) but has just one regulation loss against the Rampage this season (3-1-2-1).

Josh Olson and Scott Kelman each scored and Travis Scott turned aside 27 shots for San Antonio. The Rampage, returning home after a 12-game road trip, has lost six straight and has scored only six goals in the last five games. San Antonio's six-game losing streak is one off Lowell's AHL season high.

Both teams played without their leading scorers. Stephane Veilleux was recalled to Minnesota earlier today, while San Antonio's Eric Beaudoin is up with Florida. The Aeros' 18-year-old Brent Burns was also recalled by the Wild today after a one-game conditioning stint.

But the loss of Veilleux was softened with the return of Foy, who hadn't played since January 21 due to mononucleosis. The rookie, celebrating once again being the youngest Aero, tallied twice in the opening period for his fourth multi-point game of the season and first career two-goal game. Bala, meanwhile, also had two goals December 17 against Norfolk.

Houston got on the board early, on its first penalty shot goal in more than two full calendar years at the 3:08 mark of the opening period. Foy stole a pass at the Aeros blueline and streaked up ice, and he was tripped at the San Antonio blueline. Foy faked high and slid one under Scott just inside the near post for his first goal since January 18 – on the first official shot of the game. The goal marked the second time in 11 games that the Aeros scored the first goal, and the first time in eight road contests.

The Aeros' Jason Beckett fought San Antonio enforcer Jeff Paul after the whistle with 7:32 gone by in the first for the game's only bout until time had expired.

Foy made it 2-0 with 9:38 left in the period. Travis Roche launched a shot on net after a great individual play to lead the rush, and Foy hopped on the rebound and poked it past Scott for his ninth of the season. The tally gave the Aeros a two-goal lead on the road for the first time since their last win away from Toyota Center – January 30 in Manitoba.

Houston continued to play well defensively, allowing the Rampage just one shot in the opening 12:30 of the game. San Antonio was outshot 15-4 in the first.

The first period had little flow, but that changed quickly in a fast-moving second stanza that saw each team score once.

Just after Scott robbed Christoph Brandner on a one-timer from the low slot to keep his team within two, Olson's shot from the point banked off an Aero in front up and over Kettles for his 18th of the season with 6:13 left in the second. The tally drew San Antonio within 2-1.

But Wallin's 12th of the season – fourth on the power play – restored his team's two goal lead with 2:15 left in the middle period. Kevin Mitchell's slapshot from the point on a feed from Zbynek Michalek was deflected by Wallin past Scott to snap Houston's 0-for-21 power-play streak. Nine of Mitchell's 13 points this season have come with the man advantage. Mitchell was originally credited with the goal, and it would have been the 17th of 21 pro goals with the man advantage.

The Aeros were outshot 14-6 in the third, but Kettles turned aside 13 shots while his teammates scored twice more.

Bala put one home shorthanded with 6:41 left. Michael Schutte cleared the puck the length of the ice, and it bounced on goal. Scott had problems with the puck, and Bala slid it by the netminder for his 10th of the season. The tally came at the tail end of San Antonio's third straight power play.

The Rampage took advantage of a failed Aeros clear to get with 4-2 at the 14:32 mark. Kelman, recalled from ECHL Augusta last night, slipped one through a screen and by Kettles for his first goal with San Antonio.

Bala, though, continued the onslaught with his second of the game with 4:13 remaining. Bala took a feed from Kyle Wanvig and beat Scott for his 11th of the season.

Kettles made his best save of the night with a minute left, stoning Dennis Shvidki's attempt from the doorstep.

Houston's Derek Boogaard and San Antonio's Jason Spence fought as time expired,

The Aeros finished 1-for-3 on the power play, while San Antonio went 0-for-4.

Notes:

Houston hadn't had a successful penalty shot in more than two seasons – since Wanvig scored on Grand Rapids' Simon Lajeunesse (now with San Antonio) on December 29, 2001. Roche had the Aeros' only other penalty shot attempt this season, in overtime in a 0-0 tie against Worcester's Reinhard Divis on January 9.

The Aeros had more than one player with two goals for the first time this season.

Houston entered the game minus-17 (57-40) in the first period, the worst differential in the league. The Aeros had yielded a goal in 11 straight periods until tonight's first stanza.

With Foy's goal, AHL shooters are now 9-for-27 on penalty shots this season.

Wallin has five points (2+3=5) in six games since returning from his 17-game injury absence. He has a goal in back-to-back games for the first time since the opening two games of the season.

McLellan is 149-110-35-11 in his four-year career, including one season with IHL Cleveland.

The road team won just the second game in the seven-game season series.

San Antonio fell to 4-14-1-0 in 19 games since beating Houston 6-3 at Toyota Center January 16.

The Aeros have points in back-to-back road games for the first time since tying San Antonio December 27 and Cincinnati January 2.

Kettles snapped an eight-decision winless streak (0-3-5), earning his third win of the season (3-6-5) – first since December 23 against Utah.

Houston played without the injured Jason Marshall, Erik Reitz and Dan Cavanaugh.

In San Antonio's two wins this season against Houston, it has scored nine goals. In the other five games, the Rampage has scored just five total goals.

The Aeros improved to 6-12-5-1 when playing their second or third straight game. Prior to tonight, the last time Houston won when playing the previous night was a 4-1 win over Syracuse on January 24.

The Aeros played their 400th road game in franchise history. Houston is 191-160-44-5 away from home.

San Antonio, outshot 32-28 tonight, has had a shot advantage on only seven opponents at home this season.

Foy has four points (2+2=4) in five games against San Antonio.

Michalek had two assists, his second two-point game in four contests. His 12 assists and 16 points established new career-highs.

The January 30 game in Manitoba also marked the last time the Aeros scored five goals. Houston tallied five goals for the fifth time this season.

The Aeros won for just the third time when allowing more than one goal (3-29-8-2).

The last four meetings at SBC Center had all gone to overtime.

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