Houston Aeros Finding Their Groove, Defeat San Antonio 2-1
In a low scoring affair Friday night in San Antonio, the Houston Aeros picked up a 2-1 win over the Rampage. With the win, the Aeros are now two games above .500 with a record of 8-6-1-2 and sit in seventh place in the Western Conference.
After a scoreless opening frame, ason Zucker opened the scoring, netting his eighth goal of the season on the power play just twenty-five seconds into the middle period.
The Rampage would tie the game at one thanks to a Scott Timmins goal at the thirteen minute mark in the third, setting up a thrilling finish.
Colby Robak of the Rampage would take a costly boarding penalty late in the game and the Aeros would make him pay. Justin Fontaine would get the eventual game-winner with the man advantage with just over two minutes left in the game.
While the Rampage would have a power play of their own with just under a minute remaining, the Aeros netminder Matt Hackett was able to shut the door and hang on for the win. Hackett would make 24 saves on the night to earn the victory.
The Aeros power play would finish 2-for-6 on the night and was the difference between two points and no points on the night. The last place Rampage put up a tough test for the Aeros, proving that no club can afford to take a night off at any point during the season. With the Western Conference tight from top to bottom, every point is a key one and could be the difference between making the playoffs and watching them on from the sidelines.
Fontaine had a two point night for the Aeros who have been the fortunate recipient of scoring by committee as of late, something that boasts well for any team, especially when Houston is missing Mikael Granlund. The young budding star is said to be recovering nicely from his injury and could rejoin the club within the next week or two.
The Aeros are back in action on Sunday night when they host the Abbotsford Heat, the affiliate for the Calgary Flames. Game time is 5:05.
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