Texas Tornado sweep their way to Robertson Cup National Tournament
April 26, 2006 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
Another step on the way to the Tornado Threepeat is complete. With a 2-0 Game 4 win in Texarkana Monday night, the Texas Tornado won the NAHL South Division Playoff Championship for the third straight season and punched their ticket to Boardman, Ohio, May 10-13 for the 2006 North American Hockey League Robertson Cup National Tournament. #9 Justin King and #5 Brett Blatchford had the goals for the Tornado. However, the star of the show was goaltender #33 Troy Redmann, who out dueled an equally gritty performance by Bandits goaltender Riley Gill, to earn his 3rd playoff shutout of the 2006 season. "Texarkana has a very good team. I certainly didn't expect us to sweep this series," Tornado Head Coach Tony Curtale told the Texarkana Gazette. "I wasn't very happy with the first period in Game 4, but we played well in the second and third periods. Redmann was great, but I've felt all season that he was the best goalie in the league." After a scoreless first period, the Tornado got on the board in the 2nd period as King with help from linemates #24 Billy Skwarczewski and #16 Adam Flink picked up a loose puck and put one past Gill on the glove side. The 3rd period was an offensive assault by both teams. The Bandits best chance came off the stick of Pat Maroon, who had a backdoor chance, but Redmann just got enough to deny the goal. A late clearing shot by Blatchford from behind his goal kicked off the side glass and trickled in for the empty-net goal and the series win. Redmann leads all NAHL goalies with seven victories and three playoff shutouts. For Texas, this will be their third consecutive trip to the Robertson Cup Championship and they will attempt to be the first team to win three consecutive titles since the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors won the Robertson Cup five times between 1986 and 1990. The Tornado joins the Southern Minnesota Express in winning Division Finals Series to qualify for the Tournament. The Express swept their series against the Fargo-Moorhead Jets over the weekend. The remaining two best-of-seven series continue this week, with the West Division Finals having reached the do or die phase for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. After capturing the opening game against the Bozeman Icedogs, Fairbanks has dropped three straight and must win their Game 5 contest in Bozeman on Friday to stay in the hunt. Fairbanks can take heart from the Cleveland Barons, who staved off elimination Sunday in their North Division Final against the U.S. Under-17 National Team with a 4-2 triumph. The series continues on Thursday in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The winners of the four Division Finals Series will join the host team Mahoning Valley Phantoms for the five-team Robertson Cup Tournament to determine the 2006 NAHL champion in the league's 30th season.
Please Note: The schedule for the 2006 Robertson Cup National Tournament will be released once the other NAHL Divisional Finals conclude this weekend. A Tornado travel itinerary that will include lodging, travel, ticket and game information, will be made available to fans once it is finalized from the host team, the Mahoning Valley Phantoms.
Mark your calendar for the 2005-06 Texas Tornado Year-Ending Banquet
Tornado fans, mark your calendar for the 2005-06 Texas Tornado end of the year banquet on Tuesday, May 16th from 6:00-9:00pm at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Frisco. Prices are $20.00 for season ticket holders and $25.00 for non-season ticket holders. A BBQ buffet style dinner will be served. Activities for the banquet include: Live band, End of the year player awards, Comments from coaches, players, and staff, Live auction for the game-worn 3rd Tornado jerseys used throughout the 2005-06 season, Silent auction for hockey memorabilia, Viewing of the new 2005-06 Tornado highlight video, and one final Tornado merchandise blow-out sale with incredible discounts. To purchase your ticket for the banquet, please stop by or call the Tornado office at 972-335-9800.
2006-07 season tickets on sale now, including online!
The Back-to-Back National Champion Texas Tornado is pleased to announce that 2006-07 season tickets are now available for purchase online. All price levels are still available, but seats are going fast. Be a part of the most exciting and successful junior hockey team in the United States, as they continue their unprecedented run for a THREEPEAT National Championship! Book season tickets in our glass and/or center ice sections and receive great additional benefits such as: a road trip to a Texas Tornado away game, complimentary parking, meet and greet sessions with the players and coaches, and much more! Chose our premium level and receive: complimentary parking, pre-game chalk talk sessions with the Tornado coaching staff, and much more! Or, select our Bar Rail and/or End Zone sections and receive: the same great seat for every game, 10% off Tornado merchandise card, priority seating for the playoffs, and much more! Season tickets start as low as $277.50 for all 30 games, and thanks to the Texas Tornado payment program, you only have to put down 25% when you order today, or pay in full and receive your seats FREE for the 2007 Pros vs. Prospects Charity Classic Game! For more information on season tickets, stop by or call the Tornado office at 972-335-9800, or Buy Season Tickets Now
Ultimate Texas Showdown this Saturday at Deja Blue Arena
On April 29th, 2006 the toughest professional fighters from Texas will battle it out in an actual Octagon just like in the Ultimate Fighting Championships at the Dr Pepper StarCenter Frisco's Deja Blue Arena. This is the real deal. You'd have to go to Las Vegas to see an event like this. Admission ranges from $30.50 to $57.50. To order tickets call 214-GO-STARS.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2006
- Texas Tornado sweep their way to Robertson Cup National Tournament - Texas Tornado
- IceDiggers hire Bob Krafft as Vice President and General Manager of Business Operations - Alpena IceDiggers
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.
