Rockford IceHogs Hold On To Defeat Houston Aeros 3-2

January 13, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


ROCKFORD, IL - The Houston Aeros (19-16-6-1) dropped the first of a brief two-game road trip 3-2 to the Rockford IceHogs (22-18-2-2) Wednesday night in front of 5,989 at the Rockford MetroCentre. C Chad Rau and D Maxim Noreau each scored for Houston while G Anton Khudobin (9-13-1) made 18 saves in the loss. RW Jack Skille, LW Rob Klinkhammer and C Evan Brophey scored for the IceHogs and G Corey Crawford (7-8-1) made 24 saves in his second win against Houston in as many games.

Rockford had not scored a first period goal against Houston in the first four meetings this season, but they ended that streak early. Skille put the IceHogs on the board at 4:15 as he took a feed from LW Kyle Greentree and broke in alone. Skille deked to his backhand and beat Khudobin on the blocker side to give Rockford a 1-0 lead.

The IceHogs extended their lead to 3-1 in the second period, beginning with Klinkhammer's goal at 11:51. C Jake Dowell sent the puck into the crease from a sharp angle and Klinkhammer was in front to put it past a fallen Khudobin. The Aeros responded on the power play at 15:37. From below the goal line, RW Danny Irmen centered the puck to Rau who banged it home past Crawford.

The teams appeared to be headed to the third period in a 2-1 game, but a late turnover proved costly for Houston. With just 17.8 seconds remaining, LW Pete MacArthur stole the puck and centered it to Brophey. Brophey made a move past Khudobin and buried one into the open net to give Rockford a 3-1 lead.

Rockford began the third period with a flurry of chances in the offensive zone, but Khduobin stood tall for the Aeros to keep the game within two goals. At 14:17 RW J-M Daoust appeared to score for Houston as he drove the net and beat Crawford on the rebound. The goal was disallowed, however, when the referee whistled Daoust for Goaltender Interference.

After killing off the minor to Daoust, the Aeros received a power play and just three seconds after the penalty ended Noreau scored with a shot from the point. Although the shot was not initially called a goal, the referee reviewed the play and credited Noreau with his 10th goal of the season at 17:36. The Aeros kept Khudobin on the bench for the final minutes but were unable to net the tying goal.

Houston out-shot Rockford 26-21 on the night. The Aeros finished 1-for-5 on the power play while holding the IceHogs scoreless on four chances with the man advantage. The Aeros end a six-game point streak (2-0-4-0), dating back to their 5-4 OT loss at Rockford (12/31/09). The Aeros had not lost in regulation since falling 5-1 at Chicago (12/30/09).

The Aeros finish their two-game trip to Rockford Friday, 7:00 PM at the Rockford Metro Centre. Houston returns home Saturday to host the Toronto Marlies, 7:35 PM at Toyota Center, where the first 3,000 fans will receive Aeros trading cards. Watch the games live on ahllive.com or listen on 1070 AM-KNTH. Follow the interactive in-game blog at aeros.com. For more information call (713) 974-PUCK (7825).



American Hockey League Stories from January 13, 2010


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