Aeros top rival Stars to clinch spot in postseason

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Matt Hackett and the posts behind him saved the Aeros from an embarrassing late-season collapse.

Hackett, just one season removed from leading the team to the Calder Cup Finals, was sensational Sunday in a playoffs-clinching 2-1 win over the Texas Stars in front of a sellout crowd of more than 10,000 at Toyota Center.

The Aeros will be the No. 8 seed when the playoffs start later this week.

The Stars scored the first goal of the game and hit three posts, but Hackett stopped two shorthanded breakaways, and kept the Aeros in the game long enough for Kris Foucault and Joel Broda to beat Texas rookie goalie Jack Campbell.

The Aeros needed a win over Texas and one regulation loss from either Milwaukee, San Antonio or Charlotte. The latter of those three teams obliged, losing 6-1 at Milwaukee, and the Aeros did their part with their seventh win of the season against their intrastate rivals.

"That's a big win for us," Aeros head coach John Torchetti said. "It was a lot of fun watching the guys celebrate. Not making the playoffs, after getting so close ..."

The veteran coach, in his first season with the Aeros, did not finish that sentence. Instead, he talked about Hackett and how his goalie played down the stretch when the team needed him most.

"I have not seen goaltending like that since probably my first pro win (with NHL's Florida Panthers) with (Roberto) Luongo against Boston. He probably stopped 40 shots, and I was like, 'Thanks, buddy.'"

Houston Aeros Joel Broda celebrates after he scored a goal in the third period of a hockey game as Texas Stars Dan Spang looks on at the Toyota Center Sunday, April 15, 2012, in Houston. The Aeros won 2-1. Houston Aeros Joel Broda celebrates after he scored a goal in the third period of a hockey game as Texas Stars Dan Spang looks on at the Toyota Center Sunday, April 15, 2012, in Houston. The Aeros won 2-1. Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Aeros top rival Stars to clinch spot in postseason 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

"But I am so proud of him. That was a tough weekend, three games in three days … he did a great job."

The Aeros will start the playoffs at home in a best of five series against No. 1 Oklahoma City. Because of the new five-game format, the road team will start at home with two games.

Games 1 and 2 are at Toyota Center on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

The Aeros went 0-for-4 on the power play Sunday and played their worst hockey with the man advantage. Hackett made his best save of the game against Colton Sceviour late in the third period.

The Aeros were on the power play, but the Stars garnered two shots, and Hackett made both saves to make the difference.

"Tonight was a huge character win, and we need to feed off that for a good long run in the playoffs," Hackett said. "Tonight, I just tried to stay calm, keep it simple … we played our game very well tonight."