AEROS HANG ON TO BEAT HOGS 2-1

IceHogs couldn't rebound from 4-3 shootout loss on Friday

Rockford, Ill.- The Houston Aeros completed a weekend sweep with a 2-1 win over the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday at the Rockford MetroCentre.

Despite a late surge from the IceHogs, the Aeros defense was able to hang on to the lead and come away with another two points.

After the IceHogs led by two going into the final frame on Friday, the tables were turned on Saturday.

The Aeros took advantage of two power-play opportunities against a Rockford penalty kill that had stopped 90 percent of power plays at home coming into Saturday. Houston finished the evening 2-for-4 on the power play while Rockford was held scoreless in three opportunities.

"We allowed two goals on the power play tonight," said defenseman Tim Hambly. "In this league, special teams are going to tell the story."

In the first period, Houston blueliner Tomas Mojzis poked in a loose puck at 16:52. Brandon Rogers and Marco Rosa were marked as helpers.

Houston's second marker was deflected past Rockford goaltender Antti Niemi by Aeros' forward Marco Rosa. It was assisted by Peter Olvecky and Clayton Stoner at 15:50 in the second period.

The IceHogs were finally able to find the back of the net in the third period with a goal from Jordan Hendry to cut the Aeros lead in half at 2:11 in the third. Jack Skille and Tim Brent were credited with the assists on the marker.

The goal ended Barry Brusts' 135:32 minute scoreless streak at the Rockford MetroCentre stretching back to the longest scoreless game in American Hockey League history on April 19, 2008. It also ended a 71:08 minute personal scoreless streak going back to Wednesday's second period in Milwaukee.

Brust finished the game with 25 saves for the Aeros. Niemi finished with 23 saves for the IceHogs.

Next Home Game: Friday, Dec. 26 vs. Chicago Wolves. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. The IceHogs Wolves match-up in a post-Christmas showdown at the Rockford MetroCentre. Come dressed in your ugliest Christmas sweater and you could walk away with round trip airline tickets courtesy of Allegiant Airlines to Tampa, Fla. and a pair of tickets to see the Chicago Blackhawks play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Feb. 17 in Tampa.