OSKAR OSALA"THE FINNISH ICE HOCKEY NEXT STAR"

Bears rout Houston

January 09, 2009, 10:02PM

NewsHershey's Francois Bouchard celebrates a third-period goal against Houston on Friday night at Giant Center.

Oskar Osala was on recall to the Washington Capitals when the Hershey Bears suffered a five-goal loss at Houston on Dec. 13.

But he knew all about it.

The rookie winger helped the motivated Bears deliver payback Friday night at Giant Center, producing a goal and an assist in a 5-1 victory over the Aeros.

"I heard we owe these guys a lot," Osala said. "They pretty much outplayed us that last time there. They beat us on every aspect of the game.

"We really wanted to show them that we were a better team than them."

Hershey, which has won four in a row and six of seven, did just that in a feisty, five-fight game.

Alex Giroux also was on recall to Washington for the previous Houston game. Osala (7:34) and Giroux (short-handed at 12:26) gave Hershey a 2-0 first-period lead.