Texas Stars Exact Revenge in 5-2 Win Over Houston Aeros

Published on December 19, 2009 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Houston Aeros News Release


HOUSTON - D Brad Lukowich tallied a goal and an assist and C Perttu Lindgren netted the game-winner 5:33 into the third as the Texas Stars (20-8-2-2) defeated the Houston Aeros (15-13-2-1) 5-2 Friday night in front of 4,301 at Toyota Center. RW Jon DiSalvatore and D Ryan Gunderson each scored for Houston and G Anton Khudobin (9-8-1) made 14 saves before being saddled with the loss in relief of G Wade Dubielewicz who saved 4-of-6. Former Aero G Matt Climie (9-7-2) tallied 27 saves to earn his ninth win of the season.

Texas LW Luke Gazdic, fresh off his call-up from ECHL Idaho, got the Stars on the board first at the 5:53 mark of the first period. DiSalvatore would knot things up 1-1 at 16:24, though. Gunderson held the puck in the Stars end as the Aeros completed a change and he found DiSalvatore at the right point who beat Climie stick-side.

Texas would retake the lead, however, 2:26 later when C Warren Peters sped into the Aeros end and lifted a backhand bid off the shoulder of Dubielewicz and into the net. G Anton Khudobin entered the game following the goal. It marks the first time Dubielewicz has been pulled this season. Neither team had managed to score more than one goal in the first period against the other until Friday and it was also the first time both teams notched first period markers in the same game.

After a scoreless middle frame, the Aeros found the twine to tie the game back up 2-2. This time it was Gunderson on the receiving end from forwards Carson McMillan and Danny Irmen for a power play goal at 2:21 in the third for his second multi-point game of the season.

From there the Stars would take over. First, Lindgren lit the lamp at 5:33, 3:12 after the Gunderson goal. Houston thought they had tied the game off a shot by D Max Noreau with just under six minutes but the puck bounced off the post and under Climie. The Aeros pulled Khudobin on the ensuing faceoff and Lukowich fired a shot down the ice and into the empty net at 14:12. Houston received a late power-play but C Aaron Gagnon sealed the win for Texas with a short-handed empty net goal at 19:05.

The Aeros fall to 2-4-0-0 against the Stars this season as Texas takes over the lead outright in the Lone Star Faceoff standings with 17 points (8-2-0-1). The Aeros outshot Texas 29-23 on the night and went 1-for-4 on the man advantage. The Houston penalty kill improved to 19-for-19 against Texas going 2-for-2 Friday.

The Aeros return to Toyota Center Sunday to take on the Grand Rapids Griffins. Puck drop is set for 4:05 PM. Listen to the broadcast in its entirety on ahllive.com and in-progress on 1070 AM-KNTH at 5:00 PM. Follow the in-game blog at zamchron.com.



American Hockey League Stories from December 19, 2009


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