Hot trio helps Aeros tie Ducks 3-3

Published on April 2, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


Houston, TX – The line of Dan Cavanaugh (2g, 1a), Billy Tibbetts (3a) and Kyle Wanvig (1g, 2a) combined for every point on all three Aeros goals in a span of 3:31 early in the second period, and the Houston Aeros and the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks skated to a 3-3 tie at Toyota Center. Frederic Cloutier made 31 saves for Houston (72 points), which maintained its three-point lead over the fifth-place Ducks. Cincinnati is in Milwaukee Saturday, while Houston is off until it visits the Ducks next Friday. The Aeros have two games remaining, while Cincinnati has four left. Curtis Glencross scored his first two pro goals, Casey Hankinson added a goal and Ilya Bryzgalov turned aside 32 shots for the Ducks.

Cavanaugh earned his fourth career two-goal game, and his first since March 29, 2003, at Utah. This was his first career three-point game.

Tibbetts' three assists matched his AHL career high, set twice previously, last on February 23, 2002, with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at Hartford.

Wanvig tied a career high with his three points, the fourth time he's accomplished the feat. The last time was when he had a hat trick, October 28 at home against Cleveland.

The teams skated to their second straight tie, after the Aeros rallied dramatically in the waning seconds last night for a 4-4 final.

Tonight's game was a virtual carbon copy of last night's – a docile first period followed by pure madness. Last night, the teams ended the first scoreless, and Cincinnati took a 4-2 lead after two. Tonight, the Ducks led on a late goal in the first period, but there were five goals in the second, and Houston and Cincinnati headed into the third tied at 3-3.

The Ducks solved Cloutier with 17 seconds left in the first, with Marc Cavosie in the penalty box for tripping. Chris Kunitz, at the right point, slid a cross ice pass to Mike Mottau, whose one-timer from the left point was tipped by Glencross up and over Cloutier for his first pro goal. Glencross was appearing in just his fourth AHL game after finishing his career at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

The teams combined for three goals in a span of 36 seconds early in the second period, and the craziness left Houston and Cincinnati deadlocked at 2-2.

Houston took only 1:10 into the second to respond to Glencross' goal. Tibbetts, behind the net, threaded a pass to Cavanaugh between three defenders in the right circle. Cavanaugh one-timed the puck past Bryzgalov for his 14th of the season, a new career-high.

Cincinnati retook the lead only 13 ticks later. Hankinson stole the puck, streaked out of the left corner and slid one through traffic under Cloutier for his 15th of the season.

The Aeros then responded just 23 seconds later with the third goal in a span of 36 seconds at the 1:46 mark. Cavanaugh, with a defender on him, ripped one by Bryzgalov from the left circle for his second of the game and 15th of the season. Tibbetts also assisted on that play and has eight assists in six games with Houston.

The Cavanaugh line kept up the pressure, giving the Aeros a 3-2 edge with 4:41 gone in the second. Tibbetts carried the puck behind the net and fed Wanvig at the right doorstep. Houston's leading goal getter didn't miss, notching No. 24 by smacking it short side by Bryzgalov for his 24th of the season.

Cincinnati got its second power play goal from Glencross, at 10:25 of the middle frame, to get even at 3-3. Kunitz started the play with a pass from the center point to Tony Martensson in the lower right circle. Martensson took his time and slid a perfect pass through the crease to Glencross, who had an easy tap-in past Cloutier, who had no chance to stop the puck.

Matt Foy tipped a Michael Schutte attempt inches wide with Houston deep in the Cincinnati zone with 3:15 left in the second.

In the third, Cincinnati outshot Houston 11-6, but Cloutier was up to task and made several outstanding saves.

Houston got a power play with 7:17 left in regulation thanks to a high-sticking call to Sheldon Brookbank but didn't get a quality scoring chance.

There were seven shots, four by Cincinnati, in an entertaining overtime session. The Aeros' Mark Cullen had the best chance, with 1:15 remaining, but Bryzgalov turned away Cullen's jam attempt from the low right circle.

Houston finished 0-for-4 on the power play, while Cincinnati went 2-for-2. The Ducks, ranked 27th in the AHL on the man advantage, entered tonight's game 0-for-16 over their last three games. Houston, meanwhile, is 0-for-23 over its last four on the power play and 4-for-56 in the last 10 games.

Notes:

Tonight was a big night for center Rickard Wallin, currently in Minnesota. He scored twice and added an assist as the Wild powered by the Dallas Stars 4-2.

Cavosie, a center, played the point on the power play in a new look lineup.

The Aeros have led after one period just once in the last 12 games.

The "Year of the Goaltender" continues in the AHL. There were five shutouts tonight out of 13 games.

Houston is unbeaten in regulation in its last 10 games (6-0-3-1) against teams with sub .500 records.

Wanvig's goal was his 40th point of the season, and he became the first Aero this season to get to that mark.

Houston is 0-10-3-0 when yielding two or more power play goals.

Cloutier is 0-5-4 in his last nine AHL decisions since beginning his career 4-0-0.

Three of the seven meetings between these teams this season have gone to overtime, and none has been decided by more than two goals.

Houston has an AHL high 14 ties and is 0-4-14 in overtime.

Wanvig tied the injured Travis Roche for the team lead with 10 multiple point games.

Tibbetts has five assists and is a plus six in his last two games.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central