Schaefer wins 100th in Aeros 3-2 shootout victory over Iowa
February 22, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release
HOUSTON, Texas - Houston Aeros goaltender Nolan Schaefer stopped 24-of-25 shots on net plus four-of-five in the shootout to earn a 2-1 win in front of 11,714 fans for his 100th career win as a pro. The win moved Houston (28-21-1-8) into sole possession of second place in the West Division as Iowa (25-22-3-7) remained in fifth place. The Aeros remain at home for the week with their next contest this Friday night as part of Friday Night Ice on Fox Sports Houston. The 7:35 p.m. contest at Toyota Center will be the first meeting against the Rockford IceHogs in Houston.
The first period was filled with hits from both teams in an effort to control the puck but neither team posted many shots on net. Houston outshot the Chops 9-7 in the period although the team was unable to score on a five-on-three power play that lasted 1:46. The Aeros finished 0-2 on the power play and killed the Chops' lone attempt on the man-advantage.
Aeros defenseman Kurtis Foster scored his first goal with the team in his last game with the Aeros. Foster, on a conditioning assignment from the Minnesota Wild, took a cross-ice pass from Jesse Schultz and blasted a shot short-side over the shoulder of Dave LeNeveu. The goal gave the Aeros a 1-0 lead, but the lead lasted less than five minutes as Drew Miller tied the game at one at the 11:36 mark. Adrian Veideman took a shot from inside the right faceoff circle and Aeros' goaltender Nolan Schaefer attempted to squeeze the puck between his left arm and his body, but it trickled out and Miller banged the puck into the open net.
At 3:22 into the final frame, Schaefer made a diving save on a shot from Petteri Wirtanen that snuck between two Aeros' defenders, preventing the Chops from taking a third-period lead. Both teams had a number of good opportunities to end the game in regulation time but goaltending and defense kept the game tied at one apiece, forcing the overtime.
The extra five minutes of play was kept scoreless with each team putting two shots on net but the contest had to be decided in a shootout. Houston's second shooter, Corey Locke, was the recorded the first goal when he flicked the puck 5-hole between the leg pads of Dave LeNeveu, who stopped 28 of 29 in regulation. Iowa, who shot first in each round, didn't net the puck until their fifth and final shooter who beat Schaefer when he snuck the puck past his left leg pad. Schultz sealed the game for the Aeros when he snapped the puck top shelf, over the glove hand of the Chops' netminder.
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