Houston Aeros Lose 6-2 to Lake Erie Monsters

December 30, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


HOUSTON, Texas - The Houston Aeros lost to the Lake Erie Monsters 6-2 Tuesday night at Toyota Center. After fairly even play through two periods Lake Erie took control and netted five third-period goals including a short-handed marker. Houston's Tomas Mojzis netted both Aeros' goals to become the fourth player on the team to record a multi-goal game. Houston (16-13-1-5) hits the road tomorrow for a 6:35 p.m. New Year's Eve contest in Worcester. Tune in to Joe O'Donnell on 1070-AM KNTH or watch the game live on AHL LIVE to watch the Aeros attempt to get back on track.

The first period ended with a 0-0 tie despite the Aeros controlling the puck for a good majority of the period. The Monsters put eight shots on net to the Aeros' four shots. Houston was called for three penalties to Lake Erie's one which includes a fighting major when Matt Kassian dropped the gloves with Alex Penner just after the halfway point in the opening frame. Aeros' Jason Ryznar served a tripping penalty that carried over 37 seconds into the second period.

Mark McCutcheon started the scoring for the Monsters when he netted his second goal of the season at 5:44 into the second intermission. McCutcheon snapped a shot on net, clanked the puck off the post and in. Ryan Cruthers and Codey Burki earned the assists on the even-strength goal for the 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later Lake Erie netminder Tyler Weiman deflected a few shots before the puck was sent behind the net back to Mojzis at the blue line. Mojzis sent a wrist shot towards the net through traffic to tie the game at 6:56 in the second period. Maxim Noreau and Bryan Lundbohm earned the assists on the tying goal. Mojzis followed with a similar slap shot on a power play that slipped through traffic again for a 2-1 lead heading into the intermission.

Houston remained in control until Phillipe Dupuis broke out short handed and netted an unassisted goal at 11:17 in the final period at two apiece. Lake Erie's Randy Rowe, who was called up before the game, netted the go-ahead goal only 39 seconds later for a 3-2 lead with just over eight minutes left to play.

McCutcheon added an insurance marker for the Monsters 1:22 after the go-ahead goal at 13:18 by stuffing the puck between the legs of Barry Brust. Bryan Marshall helped ensure the Monsters victory by stuffing in his second goal of the season, second point of the night. Marshall earned an assist earlier on the game-winning goal by Rowe. Houston pulled Brust in an effort for a comeback. Nathan Smith took advantage of the empty net after Dupuis intercepted the puck and fed him the pass for the open net and the 6-2 victory.



American Hockey League Stories from December 30, 2008


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