HOUSTON , Texas – There was a time this season where, if the Houston Aeros didn’t score first, the statistics pointed to an almost inevitable loss. But after allowing a Peoria Riverman goal just 1:16 into the first period, the Aeros tightened up and put on a puck possession clinic that earned them a 4-1 win in game one of the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. If anything, that early, unassisted goal by Adam Cracknell brushed the nerves away and woke the team up. “We weren’t winning the races to the puck. They were getting to the puck a little bit quicker than we were and they took advantage of it, and I think that was maybe a wake-up call,” said Jed Ortmeyer. Coach Mike Yeo acknowledged jitters that were apparent even in the locker room. “I do think we looked nervous,” he said. “We have a lot of guys who are playing their first pro hockey playoff game, so it was great for them to get out there and be able to respond and get a little bit of adversity there early in the game.” One of those guys is rookie goalie Matt Hackett, who played a strong, aggressive game after giving up the first goal. “I was a little nervous during the game. The first goal, I want to have back, but I feel like I settled down pretty well,” said Hackett. “After that first goal, Max (Noreau) came back to me and said, ‘Hack, just relax and play your game.’” While the Rivermen came out of the gate hard, the momentum of that goal didn’t last long, nor did the lead. Warren Peters evened the scoring at 7:46, corralling a rebound off a shot by Jed Ortmeyer and dumping it in back door on goalie Jake Allen before he could recover from the initial shot. Noreau got the secondary assist on the goal. The Aeros then went up 2-1 before intermission off a power play goal by Robbie Earl, who ripped a shot down low through traffic. Jared Spurgeon and Nate Prosser were awarded the assists. Ortmeyer got some insurance late in the second period with a dramatic goal. Taking a pass from Justin Falk, Ortmeyer raced into the slot with Peoria‘s Cracknell backchecking. Cracknell tripped, Ortmeyer fell over him and shot the puck from his knees and it bounced in past a scrambling Allen. “I just tried to put it out in front and get my body in front of his and as I was falling, I just took a shot, just closed my eyes,” Ortmeyer said. Patrick O’Sullivan closed the door on Peoria with a goal from the slot through traffic just 22 seconds into the third period, assisted by Cody Almond. The teams meet for game two Friday night before the series moves to Peoria for 3 games in 3 days starting Monday.
Contact Heather.Galindo@prohockeynews.com
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