Kettles gets shutout, but Aeros, IceCats skate to 0-0 tie

January 9, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


Houston, TX -AHL rookie Kyle Kettles made 20 saves for his first AHL shutout but Worcester's Reinhard Divis countered with 26 stops and turned aside a Travis Roche penalty shot with 7.6 seconds left in overtime, as the Houston Aeros and IceCats skated to a 0-0 tie at Toyota Center. The Aeros, who have skated to six ties and an overtime loss in the last eight games (0-1-6-1), have tied their franchise-record winless streak, an 0-6-1-1 span earlier this season. Houston though has picked up points in seven of those games and 11 straight at home (6-0-4-1), and has just two regulation losses in its last 18 games overall (9-2-6-1). The Aeros (39 points), who moved within a point of third-place Milwaukee in the West Division, are off until next Friday, when they play host to San Antonio at 7 p.m. on Roger Clemens/Boy Scout/Thunderstick Night.

Kettes, an unbeaten 2-0-3 in his last five while allowing just five goals in that span, made six saves in the first period, eight in the second, four in the third and two in overtime. Kettles moved to 2-3-3 this season and hasn't lost in five games since December 1. He's stopped 96.1 percent of the shots sent his way in that five-game span, but his team has scored just eight goals in his nine starts this season.

Divis made nine saves in the first, seven in the second, five in the third and five more in overtime – including a Roche penalty shot with 7.6 ticks remaining.

The play was set up when Worcester's Jon Coleman covered up the puck in his own crease, after Kyle Wanvig had a good chance and then both he and Darby Hendrickson were whacking at the puck.

Aeros head coach Todd McLellan called a timeout, and sent Roche to center ice for hockey's most exciting play in the most exciting time of the game. Roche deked several times, but Divis stayed with him and kicked out the puck with his left pad when Roche didn't get enough air under it. The stop helped Divis preserve his third shutout of the season.

Houston finished 0-for-4 on the power play, while Worcester went 0-for-2. The IceCats are just three for their last 36 on the man advantage.

The Aeros, shut out 1-0 in overtime last night by Hartford, have been blanked in two straight games for the first time since November 14 (Milwaukee) and November 15 (Grand Rapids), 2002. Houston's scoreless streak stands at 159 minutes, 53 seconds. The Aeros last scored late in the second period against Rochester on Sunday.

Houston last played to a 0-0 tie on March 6, 2002, versus Grand Rapids at home.

Roche's penalty shot was the first for the Aeros since Wanvig missed one against Milwaukee's Brian Finley January 17, 2003. Wanvig has the Aeros' last penalty shot, on December 29, 2001, against Grand Rapids' Simon Lajeunesse.

Notes:

Divis had allowed five goals in just two periods in his only prior action against Houston, on October 26, 2001, at Compaq Center.

Houston is 13-0-2-1 when allowing one goal or fewer.

The Aeros are 0-3-8 in overtime. Their 11-game OT winless streak is one shy of the franchise record streak of 12 (0-4-8), set from December 29, 2001, to March 29, 2002.

Houston's eight ties are already one more than last season as the team hit the midway point of the AHL season tonight.

The Aeros hadn't ended regulation time in a 0-0 game in nearly two full seasons (March 6, 2002) prior to last night, but now have two straight 0-0 regulation games.

Houston failed to hold a lead in a game for just the third time in 18 games, including the last two.

Kettles had five shutouts last season with ECHL Louisiana.

Each of the Aeros' last five home games have gone into overtime (0-1-4).

Houston moved to 3-5-2-1 in the second of back-to-back situations this season.

The Aeros' last win came December 26, a 2-1 victory over San Antonio. Houston has scored 14 goals in eight games since then, including a four-spot against Rochester Sunday.



American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2004


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