Swept Away: Tornado Come up Empty in Fairbanks
Published on January 23, 2011 under North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
As the Texas Tornado found out this weekend, close isn't good enough.
For the second night in a row, the Tornado came 'close,' but ultimately were swept by the Fairbanks IceDogs late Saturday night thanks to opportunistic scoring and good goaltending.
And, despite outshooting the IceDogs by a wide 36-22 margin, including 14-2 in the 3rd period, it was Fairbanks who came out on top defeating the Tornado 3-2, completing the three-game sweep.
J.D. Howard and Marc Biggs scored for Texas.
The game started with a fight between Mico Solorzano and Charlie Thauwald, with Solorzano proving he can throw with anyone in the league.
But, it was Fairbanks who would be charged up and strike first.
After a couple of saves by Tornado netminder Jimmy Kruger, Jared Linnell would pounce on a rebound and bury the third rebound for a 1-0 Fairbanks lead.
Fairbanks struck again to make it 2-0 as five minutes into the 2nd period as a shot from the sideboards was saved by Kruger, but the rebound came right to a wide open John Stampohar on the backdoor.
Texas would strike back as J.D. Howard continued his hot play with his 20th goal of the season as he fired a shot from the top of the circle over the glove of Fairbanks goaltender Joe Phillipi to make it 2-1.
Assists on the goal went to David Rigatti and Ralf Freibergs.
However, a Tornado penalty, which has done them in the entire series, would ultimately lead to the game-winning goal by Fairbanks as Gabe Levin one-timed a shot past Kruger to make it 3-1.
The Tornado dominated the 3rd period, outshooting Fairbanks 14-2, but could only manage on goal as Marc Biggs scored on the power play after a nice passing play from Rock Einersen and J.D. Howard.
The rest of the game was Phillipi's chance to shine, as he shut the door for the remaining 18 minutes completing the three-game sweep at home for Fairbanks.
The Tornado have now lost all five games to the IceDogs this season.
Texas looks to rebound next weekend with another couple of tough road games at the Wenatchee Wild on January 28th and 29th.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2011
- Bulls Beat IceRays 6-3 in Front of Team's First Sell Out - Amarillo Bulls
- IceRays Start Strong; Falter Late in 6-2 Loss - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bulls Host Corpus Christi Today In Front Of Sell Out - Amarillo Bulls
- Eight Points Out - Springfield Jr. Blues
- Swept Away: Tornado Come up Empty in Fairbanks - Texas Tornado
- Wild Shuts Out Monsters - Wenatchee Wild
- Three-Goal Rally Snaps Bobcats' Skid - Bismarck Bobcats
- Corpus Christi Corrals The Mustangs, 4-1 - Corpus Christi IceRays
- Bulls blank Wichita Falls 3-0 for 23rd win - Amarillo Bulls
- Windy City sweep for Stars, 6-1 - Traverse City North Stars
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