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Preview: Aeros Vs. Rampage

March 18, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


The Houston Aeros and San Antonio Rampage begin face off at Toyota Center on Saturday in the first game of a home-and-home series. The teams meet again Sunday in San Antonio at 3 p.m. The Aeros have points in three straight (2-0-0-1) and have won six of their last 10. San Antonio enters the weekend with wins in four of their last 10 outings and hosts the Milwaukee Admirals on Friday. As of Friday, the Aeros have 10 games left in the regular season while the Rampage has 14.

LAST FIVE GAMES/LAST RESULT (as of March 18)

Houston (2-2-0-1) --- March 15 (HOU 3, MIL 2 (OT)

San Antonio (2-2-0-1) --- March 16 (SA 2, MIL 2 (OT)

WHERE THEY STAND

The Aeros, with 84 points, enter the weekend one point out of first place in the West Division behind Milwaukee. Peoria (81 pts.) and Texas (80 pts.) are right behind the Aeros, while Chicago, San Antonio and Oklahoma City remain in the playoff mix.

WHAT THE GAME MEANS

Much depends on what happens around the West Division on Friday. A win could bump the Aeros one point past Milwaukee provided the Admirals lose on Friday at San Antonio. A win would also provide keep a three-point cushion between the Aeros and Peoria, who visit Rockford on Saturday/

SERIES NOTES

Houston is 4-4-0-0 vs. the Rampage this season (3-1-0-0 at home, 1-3-0-0 on the road) ‚¬Â¦ HOU has won four of the last five meetings ‚¬Â¦ Matt Hackett has started three of the last four games in the series for HOU ‚¬Â¦ The Rampage has scored the first goal in four straight games in the series ‚¬Â¦ HOU is 5/37 on the PP while SA is 9/34 ‚¬Â¦

LAST GAME QUICK RECAP

Robbie Earl scored the deciding goal 1:25 into overtime, Patrick O ‚¬â„¢Sullivan scored twice and Matt Hackett made 25 saves as the Houston Aeros edged the Milwaukee Admirals 3-2 on Tuesday night at Toyota Center. The Houston victory, coupled with Milwaukee earning an overtime point, pulled the teams into a tie for first place in the AHL ‚¬â„¢s West Division.

NHL AFFILIATES

Houston Aeros (Minnesota Wild)

San Antonio Rampage (Phoenix Coyotes)

WILD UPDATE

Patrick Marleau scored the winning goal five minutes into the third period on a power play as the Wild dropped the fourth and final game of a road trip 3-2 at San Jose. Niklas Backstrom made 47-saves, which tied a career high. The Wild hosts Columbus on Saturday at 1 p.m.

AEROS UPCOMING GAMES

March 19 vs. SA, 7:35 p.m.

March 20 at SA, 3 p.m.

March 22 at Texas, 7:30 p.m.

BROADCAST INFO

Follow the Aeros on News Talk 1070 KNTH and online at AEROS.COM with Joe O ‚¬â„¢Donnell providing the play-by-play call. Watch every game at www.ahllive.com.

AEROS NOTABLES

--- Houston is 29-17-1-1 vs. West Division teams.

--- Houston is 8-8-0-4 vs. North Division teams.

--- Jon DiSalvatore ‚¬â„¢s two goals on March 6 gave him 20 on the season and marked his eighth straight 20-goal campaign.

--- Opponents have scored the first goal of the game in six straight, a season-high.

--- The Aeros are 21-8-0-3 since Jan. 1.

--- All 39 of Houston ‚¬â„¢s wins have come when the team allows three or fewer goals.

--- The Aeros have earned 29 of their 39 victories when scoring the first goal of the game.

--- Houston set a franchise record with six goals in the third period on March 13 vs. MTB (6-3 win).

AEROS GOALIES

Matt Hackett is 3-1-1 in his last five decisions ‚¬Â¦ At home, Hackett is 9-4-2 with a 2.30 GAA and a .916 SV% ‚¬Â¦ Josh Tordjman is 3-1-0 in five appearances this season.

AEROS SCORING STREAKS

--- Patrick O ‚¬â„¢Sullivan; points in 12 of 13 games (8-13-21)... 21 of 26 as an Aero this season (16-19-35).

--- Maxim Noreau; Assists in two straight (0-3-3), points in 10 of 12 (2-12-14)/

--- Jon DiSalvatore; Points in four of last five games (5-1-6) and in 19 of his last 25 (13-14-27).

--- Robbie Earl; Points in four straight (2-2-4).

AEROS INJURY UPDATE

Jeff Penner has been out with an upper body injury but is cleared to play ‚¬Â¦ Jamie Fraser is out with an upper body injury ‚¬Â¦ Colton Gillies has been out with an upper body injury but is cleared to play ‚¬Â¦ Matt Kassian is out with a lower body injury ‚¬Â¦ Tyler Cuma is out for the season with a knee injury suffered Feb. 13, 2011 vs. PEO.

AEROS SPECIAL TEAMS

POWER PLAY --- Is 4/22 in the last five games ‚¬Â¦ Has multiple PPG in 12 games and is 8-2-0-2 in those games ‚¬Â¦ Set franchise record and AHL season-high with six PPG on March 2 vs. RFD ‚¬Â¦ Was held to one or no PPG in 15 straight games prior to Feb. 4 (2-for-4).

PENALTY KILL --- Opponents are 6/18 in the last five games ‚¬Â¦ Held opponents to one or no PPG in 15 straight games until TOR went 2-for-5 on Jan. 23 ‚¬Â¦Has allowed multiple PPG in nine games and is 2-7-0-0 in those contests.

AEROS RECENT ROSTER MOVES

F Chris Lawrence was released from his PTO on March 14 ‚¬Â¦ F Scott Campbell was signed to an ATO on March 14 ‚¬Â¦ F Casey Wellman was reassigned by MIN on March 10 ‚¬Â¦ D Marco Scandella was recalled by MIN on March 9 ‚¬Â¦ F Casey Wellman was recalled by MIN on March 9.

AEROS PRONUNCIATION GUIDE

6 - scan-DELL-uh

14 ‚¬" deh-SAL-vuh-tohr

20 ‚¬" ROWH (like now)

22 ‚¬" ORT-migh-uhr

26 ‚¬" Max-uhm naw-roh

32 ‚¬" FRED-haym

42 ‚¬" KAS-ee-uhn

61 ‚¬" KOO-muh

62 ‚¬" DAH-ooh

Yeo ‚¬" YOH

Sydor ‚¬" sugh-DOHR

Tretiak ‚¬" TREE-tee-ack



American Hockey League Stories from March 18, 2011


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.

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