Texas host RoadRunners on Thursday and Saturday in Frisco
February 23, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
The Texas Tornado return home this weekend to take on the Topeka Roadrunners on Thursday, February 24th and Saturday, February 26th both at 7:30pm at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. Topeka, who are at the top of the NAHL ¬â¢s South Division lead the 2nd place Tornado by nine points with just 11 games remaining in the regular season. These are the final two regular season meetings between the old rivals. Texas is just 2-4 against Topeka season. The last time the Roadrunners visited Frisco back in mid-December, they skated away with a sweep of the Tornado. The two Tornado wins against the RoadRunners came back in the first weekend in October in Topeka.
Saturday is Park Place Dealerships Tornado youth jersey night
The Texas Tornado in cooperation with Park Place Dealerships are pleased to announce that Park Place Dealerships Tornado youth jersey night is this Saturday, February 26th as the Tornado host the Topeka RoadRunners at 7:30pm at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. The first 1,500 kids, 12 and under through the door, will receive a complimentary Tornado youth jersey courtesy of Park Place Dealerships. The youth jersey is black with gold trim with a Tornado logo on the front.
Tornado partner with Boys and Girls Club of Collin County
The Texas Tornado have announced that they have partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Collin County to help support their outstanding effort to continue to provide a safe, positive place for children ages 6-18 years old every day after school and all day during the summer. Part of the multi-faceted program with the Tornado will include the Honorary Dancer Program, in which participants in the club ¬â¢s dance program will be selected to be an honorary Tornado Siren Dancer during the Tornado home games on February 12th, February 26th, March 12th and March 18th. The Tornado are also pleased to announce that during the home game on Saturday, February 26th, it will be Boys and Girls Club of Collin County Night, as the Tornado help the club during their ¬ËGive 5, Ask 10 ¬â¢ campaign. Children from the Frisco, Plano and McKinney Boys and Girls Club will be at the game and be recognized by the Tornado during the night.
2011-12 Season Tickets now on sale
The Texas Tornado have announced that season tickets for the 2011-12 season are now on sale. Season ticket packages start as low as $80 and can be purchased today by stopping by or calling the Tornado office at 972-335-9800.
Pre-game tailgate and post-game skate on Saturday
Prior to the game on Saturday, the Texas Tornado will be hosting another fun and exciting pre-game tailgate party. The tailgate party will be located in Parking Lot D, between the parking garage and baseball stadium. The weather forecast calls for plenty of sunshine and temperatures close to 80 degrees! Tornado mascot IKE will make an appearance, as will some of the Tornado Siren Dancers. Fans are asked to bring their own beverages, but hot dogs and bratwurst will be provided to those fans attending. The Tailgate begins at 4:00pm. Following the game, there will be a post-game Skate with the Tornado players. The post-game skate is open to all fans and is free with a game ticket. Skate rental at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco is $3.00.
Upcoming Tornado promotions
February is FAM-tastic month with the Tornado. For every home game during the month of February, get 4 End Zone tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 chips and 4 Dr Peppers for just $40! Call 972-335-9800 for details.
Saturday, February 26 vs. Topeka ¬" Park Place Dealerships Tornado Youth Jersey Night. The Texas Tornado in cooperation with their proud partner, Park Place Dealerships have teamed up for the annual youth jersey night. The first 1,500 kids 12 and under through the door at the Dr Pepper Arena will receive a FREE Texas Tornado youth-sized jersey courtesy of Park Place Dealerships.
THE WEEK THAT WAS ¬Â¦
Saturday, February 19 ¬" Texas Tornado 5 @ Wichita Falls Wildcats 4
The Texas Tornado built leads of 3-1 and 4-2 before ultimately winning on Saturday night in Wichita Falls by a score of 5-4, completing a sweep of the Wildcats on the weekend. Linemates Jack Prince, Jackson Leef and Nate Sliwinski each had a goal and an assist, while JD Howard and Brett Hebel added the others in the win. For Hebel, it was his first career goal in a Tornado uniform. The Wildcats would strike first just minutes into the game as the Tornado failed to clear the defensive zone, a shot from the point would sneak through traffic and in behind a screened Tornado netminder Jimmy Kruger for a 1-0 'Cats lead. The Tornado would strike back as a nifty pass from the corner from hard-working Justin Jones, found linemate Brett Hebel in front for a one-timer that beat Wildcats goaltender Tyler Green to tie the game at 1-1. For Hebel, it was his first goal in a Tornado uniform. The Tornado would make it 2-1 as a rebound chance was put home by Nate Sliwinski after a 3 on 2 rush with linemates Jack Prince and Jackson Leef. The Tornado made it 3-1 as a broken play led to Prince getting the puck down the right wing and with no angle along the goal line, slid a shot through the legs of Green for a 3-1 Tornado lead. Wichita Falls would cut the lead to 3-2 late in the period Russell Blaser put home a loose rebound in front after Kruger made the initial save. The Tornado lead increased back to two as JD Howard received a great pass in the high slot from Jimmy Murray to one-time a drive past Green for a 4-2 Tornado lead. The Wildcats would claw back to make it 4-4 on goals from Joe Adams on a screen shot from the point and Drew Allen in front on the power play. The Tornado would answer late in the 3rd period, as with just over four minutes remaining a rush by Ralfs Freibergs got the puck into the high slot, where he dished over to Jackson Leef for a shot that beat Green over the right shoulder for the eventual game-winning goal. The 5-4 win for Texas was their fourth in the last five games, as they sit alone in 2nd place in the NAHL South Division with 64 points, nine points behind division-leading Topeka.
Friday, February 18 ¬" Texas Tornado 3 @ Wichita Falls Wildcats 1
Two goals from Jack Prince and 26 saves from goaltender Jimmy Kruger led the Tornado to a 3-1 win in a penalty-filled contest on Friday night in Wichita Falls. From the get go, it would be the Tornado's night. Jack Prince scored just :27 seconds into the game, as he was denied with two chances from the low slot, but a third try would sneak past Wildcats goaltender Eric Garavaglia for a 1-0 Tornado lead. Ralfs Freibergs assisted on the goal. Later in the period, tempers flared after a Tornado chance on goal that saw a fight between Jackson Leef and Dan Hildebrandt. Unhappy with the transgretions, Tornado head coach Tony Curtale was given a game ejection by referee Kevin Webinger. The Tornado would dominate the period, outshooting the Wildcats 12-5. The 2nd period saw a quick fight to open things between Seth Johnson and former Tornado Joe Adams. The Wildcats would then get into penalty trouble as Patrick Yudez hit Tornado defenseman Ralfs Freibergs with a high stick that split Freibergs open with a cut on the face that would ultimately require 13 stitches. Chris Leone was then hit with a cross checking penalty that put the Tornado on a 5 on 3 power play. The Tornado would not waste any time as Jackson Leef found Jack Prince in the high slot for a one-timer that beat Garavaglia for a 2-0 Tornado lead. Wichita Falls would close within one midway through the 3rd period on a goal from Ryan Frost, but the Tornado would strike back later in the 3rd period thanks to a shot from the point by Walker Hyland, with assists to JD Howard and David Rigatti. The fighting would not end as with just :10 seconds remaining in the game, heavyweights Joseph Mottiqua and Steven Hoshaw would drop the mitts.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2011
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