Texas Back on Another Winning Streak
January 5, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
It was a successful first home New Year ¬â¢s Eve game for the Texas Tornado, as a 4-2 win over the Wichita Falls Wildcats gave the Tornado their first winning streak since November when they won a league-high 15 games in a row. The return of forward Jack Prince and defenseman Ralfs Freibergs fueled the Tornado, as Prince scored the first two goals of the game, while Freibergs added three assists on the first three Tornado goals. Goaltender Jake Stafford, who came in to start the 2nd period, stopped all 12 shots he saw to pick up his 7th win of the season. Donald Olivieri and former Wildcat Taylor Herndon scored the other goals for the Tornado in the win. The Tornado finished the month of December with a 2-2-1 record and now sit in a tie for 1st place in the South Division with the Amarillo Bulls.
New Year ¬â¢s jersey auction continues through Thursday on eBay
The custom jerseys worn by the Texas Tornado during the New Year ¬â¢s Eve game are currently being auctioned live on eBay. The auction will end on Thursday, January 6th at 8:00pm central. A direct link to the online auction on eBay is available through the tornado website at www.tornadohockey.com. Bids for the jerseys start at $150. The jerseys were designed by Michelle Degard from Oak Point, Texas, whose design was selected over hundreds of fan contest design entries submitted to the Tornado. The black jersey features fireworks exploding over the Dallas skyline with a white top hat on the Tornado logo.
Next up: Bye weekend, then Tornado host Fresno on Tuesday
The Tornado will have a rare bye weekend this upcoming weekend, followed by three games next week, which begins with a rare midweek clash against the West Division Fresno Monsters on Tuesday, January 11th at 7:30pm at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. The Tornado will stay home next weekend, hosting Wichita Falls on Friday, January 14th and Fresno again on Saturday, January 15th. This is the first trip ever for Fresno to Frisco. The Monsters are competing in their first season in the NAHL and are currently in 5th place in the West Division.
Ralfs Freibergs named South Division Player of the Week
Ralfs Freibergs return to the Tornado line-up couldn't have come soon enough. The defenseman from Riga, Latvia recorded three assists in the lone game of the weekend as the Tornado defeated the Wichita Falls Wildcats on New Year's Eve, 4-2. Freibergs is second among all NAHL defenseman with 28 assists and 3rd in points with 31. He also leads all NAHL defensemen in power play assists with 16. Freibergs was named as the most outstanding defenseman of the IIHF Division I World Junior Championships in December. His native Latvia won the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record. He is currently working on a five-game point streak, which dates back to November 20th. This is the second time this season that Freibergs has been honored as South Division Player of the Week. Freibergs was honored with the award back on October 11th. This marks the 5th time this season a Tornado player has won the weekly award.
Upcoming Tornado promotions
Tuesday, January 11 vs. Fresno ¬" Frisco Chamber of Commerce Night, The Texas Tornado welcome the Frisco Chamber of Commerce and all its member businesses to a rare weeknight game.
Friday, January 14 vs. Wichita Falls ¬" Texas Star Tournament Night, The Texas Tornado welcome all the participants in the Texas Star tournament with a Skate with the Tornado after the game.
Saturday, January 15 vs. Fresno ¬" Buy One, Get One Night, The Texas Tornado offer fans a buy one, get one ticket free night (excluding Ike ¬â¢s Family Zone) for the home game on Saturday.
THE WEEK THAT WAS ¬Â¦
Friday, December 31 ¬" Wichita Falls Wildcats 2 @ Texas Tornado 4
Two goals from Jack Prince and three assists from Ralfs Freibergs led the Tornado to their 20th win of the season on New Year ¬â¢s Eve, as Texas topped Wichita Falls 4-2 in Frisco. After a scoreless first half of the opening period, Wichita Falls would strike first, as a break down in the Tornado zone led to a pass from the corner out to defenseman Wade Bennett, who crept in and fired a wrist shot over the shoulder of Tornado starting goaltender Jimmy Kruger. Five minutes later, the Tornado would strike back as on the power play, Jack Prince got behind the defense and fired a shot over the shoulder of Wildcats goaltender Eric Garavaglia, after a nifty pass from Jackson Leef. The Wildcats would make it 2-1 with only a minute to go as Ryan Frost took a face-off win down low and fired a shot just outside of the goalline that beat Kruger to the short side. However, with no time left in the 1st period a late Tornado 2 on 1 saw Jack Prince score his second of the night as he snuck a shot through the legs of Garavaglia as time expired in the exciting 1st period conclusion. Although there was no scoring in the 2nd period, it did see plenty of action, mostly physical. The Tornado had four power plays they were unable to convert on. Tornado goaltender Jake Stafford stepped in at the beginning of the period in replacement for Kruger and made two early breakaway saves. A late 2nd period skirmish saw Rock Einersen ejected from the game after his stick hit Garavaglia in the head. The Tornado took the lead for good, as on the power play Donald Olivieri fired a blast from the point that beat Garavaglia over the shoulder for a 3-2 Tornado lead. Ralfs Freibergs picked up his third assist of the game on the goal. The Tornado made it 4-2 five minutes later as a 2 on 1 pass from Joseph Mottiqua found the stick of Taylor Herndon, who fired home his fourth goal of the season. The rest of the way was strong Tornado defense and goaltending from Stafford as the Tornado claimed their 20th victory of the season.
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North American Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2011
- Stars Fade Late in 5-3 Loss - Traverse City North Stars
- Texas Back on Another Winning Streak - Texas Tornado
- Motor City Metal Jackets in 2nd Place North Division - Motor City Metal Jackets
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