Houston earns first shutout in AHL this season with 3-0 victory over Milwaukee
October 13, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
HOUSTON, Texas - The Houston Aeros marked the first shutout in the AHL with a 3-0 win over the Milwaukee Admirals in front of 3,146 fans at Toyota Center. Houston's only Monday contest this season put the team in a tie for first in the West Division with four points on a 2-0-0-0 record, their best start since the 2002-03 season. Milwaukee falls to 1-1-0-0 on the season.
Aeros' net-minder Nolan Schaefer (2-0-0) blocked all 27 shots faced as his counterpart, Drew MacIntyre (1-1-0), knocked aside 24 of 26 shots on net, allowing one empty-net goal. Krys Kolanos netted two goals for his second and third in two games. Ryan Hamilton netted the game winner a little over halfway through the first period.
Houston's top line proved to be just that. Corey Locke passed cross ice to Jesse Schultz who put the puck on Hamilton's stick directly in front of the net as he stuffed it home for the game's first goal, a power-play marker at 14:47 in the first frame, which proved to be the game-winner.
The second period was marked by good chances from both teams but largely controlled by the Aeros. Each team had one power-play opportunity apiece but remained scoreless throughout. Each goalie faced eight shots on net during the second.
The Aeros second line also pitched in when Kolanos gave Houston a 2-0 lead only 26 seconds into the third period as he took the puck coast-to-coast. Marco Rosa set up the play with a quick pass in the Aeros defensive zone as Kolanos skated through the defense and finished with a wrist shot near MacIntyre's crease. Kolanos wasn't finished yet when he tallied a late empty-net, power-play goal with only 59 seconds left to play. Houston fought off a late rally attempt by the Admirals as Schaefer made a number of dramatic saves to hold on to the 3-0 victory.
GAME NOTES
- The win put Houston in a three-way tie with Rockford and Iowa for first place in the West Division.
- The 2-0-0-0 start marks the best start for the Aeros since the 2002-03 season, the only other time in franchise history.
- The shutout was the first in the AHL this season, the 29th game in the league.
- Schaefer's shutout came in only his second game marking his 15th professional shutout, 14 in the AHL and seventh with the Aeros.
- Houston's first shutout came in the second game of the season compared to the 21st game of last season.
The Aeros stay at home this week and play the San Antonio Rampage in a home-and-home series starting Saturday night at Toyota Center. Saturday's 7:35 p.m. game is also Houston's 3rd Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night so be sure to come out and show support for such a great cause! Ticket packages include a limited edition pink puck with a certain dollar amount from each package being donated to Susan G. Komen Houston Affiliate.
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