HOUSTON 2, MILWAUKEE 0
Two nights after suffering his first AHL postseason defeat, Houston rookie goaltender Matt Hackett rebounded with his first playoff shutout, stopping all 20 shots sent his way as the Aeros evened the West Division Finals with a 2-0 win at Milwaukee on Sunday.
The best-of-7 series will now shift south to Texas for the next three contests, beginning with Game 3 on Tuesday night.
Hackett never had to face double-digit shots in a period, making nine saves in the opening frame, eight in the second, and three more in the third. The first-year pro has now surrendered just 10 goals on 132 shots (.924) through his first five postseason outings.
After a scoreless first period, Aeros forward Warren Peters provided all the offense Hackett would need when he buried a power play goal – his second strike of the playoffs – at 11:47 of the second stanza. Casey Wellman and Robbie Earl assisted on the play.
Colton Gillies netted an insurance for Houston 3:56 into the third period, with Jed Ortmeyer and Marco Scandella picking up helpers.
The Admirals, who saw their four-game winning streak come to an end, were blanked only three times all year long prior to Sunday, most recently a 2-0 loss to Rockford on Mar. 11.
West Division Finals – Series “L” (best-of-7)
W1-Milwaukee Admirals vs. W2-Houston Aeros || Preview
Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 29 – MILWAUKEE 3, Houston 1
Game 2 – Sun., May 1 – Houston 2, MILWAUKEE 0
Game 3 – Tue., May 3 – Milwaukee at Houston, 8:05
Game 4 – Thu., May 5 – Milwaukee at Houston, 8:05
Game 5 – Fri., May 6 – Milwaukee at Houston, 8:35
*Game 6 – Sun., May 8 – Houston at Milwaukee, 6:00
*Game 7 – Tue., May 10 – Houston at Milwaukee, 8:00
