Lovick nets a pair as Texas beats Fresno 4-2
November 12, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
Thanks in part to a pair of goals from Jordan Lovick, the Texas Tornado made it two straight road wins against the Fresno Monsters with a 4-2 victory on Saturday at Selland Arena. Lovick, who played for Fresno last season, scored both the opening goal and the game-winner to kept the Tornado just two points back of the Amarillo Bulls for first in the South Division. Reid Mimmack made 30 of 32 saves in the victory and improved his record to 5-1-2.
Lovick's first goal came at the 14:27 mark of the first period. The Tornado had been on a power-play, but it expired with the puck still in the Fresno zone. Marc Biggs had the puck in the corner and was able to find Lovick at the half-boards. He skated into the circle and unleashed a wrist shot that beat Monsters goaltender Mac Haight for the opening tally of the game.
The teams went to the dressing room with the Tornado still leading by a goal, but it took just 14 seconds of the second period for Texas to double its advantage. Jack Prince skated up the right-wing boards towards the net, and backhanded it towards the net. Haight steered to away, but right to the stick of Jordan Greenberg, who put the rebound past Haight to give the Tornado a 2-0 lead.
The Monsters would claw their way back, however. At the 7:00 mark, a shot from Jayce Paulseth was stopped by Mimmack. The rebound came to the slot, though, and Dylan Meier was able to bat the puck out of mid-air and past Mimmack to cut the Tornado lead in half. Just 3:30 later, Fresno had a chance to tie the game after earning its first power-play of the game. The Monsters, the NAHL's top power-play team, took advantage after Kyle Sucher's drive from the top of the right-wing circle beat Mimmack and tied the game at 2.
After Sucher's goal, Mico Solorzano and Chase Sisk dropped the gloves and fought right off the faceoff. Less than two minutes later, Jordan Greenberg and Mikhail Bushinski went to the box for fighting, as well. The physical play continued throughout the rest of the second, but the score remained tied at 2 for the rest of the period.
It wasn't until 12:14 of the third period when Jordan Lovick struck again. Once more, it was Biggs earning the primary assist, this time on a centering pass from behind the net. Lovick took the pass and fired it over the shoulder of Haight for the goal. Michael Hoy also added an empty-net insurance goal from the Tornado defensive zone to seal the win for Texas.
After the horn sounded, however, frustrations boiled over and resulted in a minor scuffle as the teams attempted to head to their respective dressing rooms. Cooler heads ended up prevailing, though, and though there were penalties assessed, things could have gotten out of hand much more than they did.
Texas is now on a three-game winning streak, and will be back on the ice on November 18th against the Amarillo Bulls. Opening faceoff from Dr Pepper Arena is scheduled for 7:30.
North American Hockey League Stories from November 12, 2011
- Bobcats Outlast Wings in See-Saw Battle - Bismarck Bobcats
- Bruins Fall at Aberdeen - Austin Bruins
- A Shootout Loss - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Jacks Rally Back, Earn Weekend Sweep 5-3 - Odessa Jackalopes
- Lovick nets a pair as Texas beats Fresno 4-2 - Texas Tornado
- Warriors End Winless Skid with 5-1 Victory - Michigan Warriors
- Bulls Fend off 'Runners in 5-3 Win - Topeka Pilots
- Texas comes from behind in shootout victory - Texas Tornado
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