MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com -HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Aeros were defeated 3-1 by the Providence Bruins Sunday evening at Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Goaltender Tukka Rask stopped 29 of 30 shots in net for Providence and the home team won their third straight game. Houston is winless in their last three games going 0-2-0-1 and will not play again until Wednesday night in Bridgeport. Jesse Schultz scored the lone goal for the Aeros and second in as many nights. The Aeros (17-15-1-6) remain in a three-way tie for fourth place in the West Division with 41 points.

 
Less than five minutes into the opening frame, the Bruins took the lead on a goal by Mikko Lehtonen. He jammed home the puck from the slot on assists from Martins Karsums and Brad Marchand. The Aeros went down 2-0 at the 13:15 mark when Johnny Boychuk scored his ninth goal of the season on the power play. He is now tied with Maxim Noreau for the league lead in goals by a defensemen and he leads all defensemen with 33 points (9-24=33). With 33 seconds remaining in the period Schultz scored his second goal in as many nights. Aeros’ center Marco Rosa made a nice backhand pass from behind the net and hit Schultz all alone in the slot. Defenseman Tomas Mojzis earned the second assist on the goal and Houston entered the second period trailing 2-1.

After no scoring through the first 15 minutes of the second period, Houston found themselves in a tough spot. Both Paul Albers and Danny Irmen were sent to the penalty box for delay of game penalties within five seconds of each other. Houston killed the full 1:55 of five-on-three, but Providence scored an even-strength goal in the 19th minute of the period. Brock Hooton buried a rebound as he was crashing the net to give the Bruins a 3-1 lead.

The teams skated to a scoreless third period, although the Aeros didn’t give up without a fight. Houston outshot the Bruins 12-6 in the final period, but were unable to beat goaltender Tukka Rask. Houston finished the game outshooting Providence 30-26, but finished with their 15th regulation loss of the season.

Notes:
- The Aeros outshot their opponent for the 12th time this season. They are 6-5-0-1 when outshooting their opponent and 2-2-0-1 on the road.
- Right wing Jesse Schultz scored his second goal in as many nights. It marked the second time this season Schultz has scored in consecutive games.
- Houston finished a stretch of eight games in ten days starting on December 26 against San Antonio. The Aeros finished 2-5-0-1 in the eight games.

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