AEROS KNOCK OFF ROCKFORD 3-1

Brust takes care of IceHogs in rare Tuesday game

Rockford, Ill.- Chances were tough to come by for the Rockford IceHogs on Tuesday night. And any chances that the IceHogs generated, Houston Aeros goalie Barry Brust was there to turn them away. Houston toppled Rockford 3-1.

The Aeros' first goal came from winger Peter Olvecky on the power play at 13:41 in the second period with assists from Adrian Foster and Benoit Pouliot.

Their second came unassisted from Joel Ward at 7:56 in the third. Ward stripped Hogs winger Kris Versteeg at the Houston blue-line and knock his own rebound past Corey Crawford.

Rockford cut the deficit in half with a power-play marker in the third. Winger Derek Nesbitt blasted a one-timer past Brust at 13:20 to make the score 2-1. Petri Kontiola and Troy Brouwer assisted on the goal.

With Crawford pulled for the final moments of the contests, the Aeros sealed the game with an empty-net goal from Ryan Hamilton at 18:50.

Rockford was out-shot in the game 27-25 and finished 1-for-8 on the power play.

Next Home Game: Thursday, Feb. 7 vs. Manitoba Moose. Game time is 7:05 p.m. The Hogs and Moose meet for the final time this season on Thursday night at the MetroCentre. For tickets call (815) 968-5222.