After almost two months of winning, Tornado finally fall
November 19, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
It started in Topeka and it ended in Topeka. For the first time in almost two months the Tornado lost a game in regulation, as they fell in Topeka to the Roadrunners on Friday night 5-3, snapping the Tornado's NAHL season-high 15-game winning streak. J.D. Howard, Donald Olivieri and Jack Prince had goals for the Tornado in the losing effort.
From the drop of the puck, Topeka came out with a lot of energy and tried to ramp up the physical game. Two quick Tornado penalties gave the Roadrunners a 5 on 3 power play for a full minute and a half, but the Tornado penalty kill led by some opportune saves by Tornado goaltender Jimmy Kruger kept Topeka off the board. It was a different story however when the Tornado went on the man advantage. The Tornado struck first as a wrap around in front by J.D. Howard snuck through the pads of Roadrunners goalie Eric Rohrkemper for a 1-0 Tornado lead. The Tornado struck again on their second power play as Rock Einersen won a key face-off in the offensive zone back to defenseman Donald Olivieri, who fired a wrist shot past a screened Rohrkemper for a 2-0 Tornado lead. Kruger made the lead stand the remainder of the period as the Tornado were outshot 9-4.
However, just as they did on Wednesday night in Wichita Falls, the Tornado would have a 2nd period to forget. Topeka would finally get on the board as defensive breakdown led to a 2 on 1, which Nate Milam tucked one upstairs over an outstretched Kruger to bring the 'Runners to within 2-1. The best Tornado chance of the period was a shot by Nate Sliwinski from the high slot, which pinged off the crossbar. The Roadrunners tied the game at 2-2, again on a Tornado defensive breakdown as Justin Hussar found himself alone behind the defensive to put it past a helpless Kruger. Just three minutes later, Roadrunners leading scorer Michael Hill would put Topeka ahead for the first time as the Tornado got caught on a long shift, as Hill crept in the high slot and beat Kruger to the glove side.
Topeka would make it 4-2 early in the 3rd period with a goal from Jordan Davis, who fired a wrist shot from the slot past Kruger. The Tornado came right back with their 3rd power play goal of the night, as Jack Prince tipped home a shot from Rock Einersen to make it 4-3. However, the dagger may have come with just minutes left as Justin Hussar poked home a loose rebound to make it 5-3 Roadrunners. The Tornado had late 6 on 4 and 5 on 3 power plays, but could not get the puck past Rohrkemper, as the Roadrunners handed the Tornado their first regulation loss since September 25th.
• Discuss this story on the North American Hockey League message board...
North American Hockey League Stories from November 19, 2010
- Benedict Blasts IceRays Over New Mexico, 2-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- St. Louis stifles Stars, 4-1 - Traverse City North Stars
- After almost two months of winning, Tornado finally fall - Texas Tornado
- Bobcats Smother Express 3-1 - Bismarck Bobcats
- Warriors roll over Fighting Falcons - Michigan Warriors
- Bulls Host Wichita Falls Tonight at Civic Center - Amarillo Bulls
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
