Three Games Await New Look Texas Tornado This Week
February 9, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
Tornado host Pink in the Rink game on Saturday
The Texas Tornado present the third annual Pink in the Rink hockey game on Saturday, February 12th as the Tornado host the Amarillo Bulls at 7:30pm at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. The Tornado have partnered with the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Frisco to dedicate the game to raising money for cancer awareness. During the game, the Tornado will be wearing special pink jerseys, which will then be auctioned off following the game. Twenty-percent of net proceeds from all ticket sales, pink merchandise and specialty pink jerseys benefit American Cancer Society Relay For Life Frisco. A wide assortment of goods and services will also be up for silent auction. These items have been generously donated by local businesses and 100% of the proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. Tickets for Saturday ¬â¢s Pink in the Rink game are still available and can be purchased by stopping by or calling the Tornado office at 972-335-9800. The game is part of the Tornado FAM-TASTIC month, where fans can get four tickets, four hot dogs, four chips and four Dr Pepper ¬â¢s for just $40 for any home game during the entire month of February. The night also will allow the Tornado to honor and celebrate the life of Lisa Flowers, a long-time Tornado fan and a former billet parent to many former Tornado players in past seasons. Lisa lost her battle with breast cancer in the fall of 2009, but legacy lives on through the Flowers Cup. The Flowers Cup is awarded to the winner of the annual Pink in the Rink game, and is an ongoing tribute to Lisa ¬â¢s battle with cancer and her lasting legacy.
Tornado make several trade deadline moves
The Texas Tornado made several moves at the trade deadline this year. Here is a brief summary of those moves and the new Tornado players that will be on the roster:
÷ The Tornado acquired defenseman Walker Hyland from the Fresno Monsters in exchange for a tender and financial considerations. Hyland, 19, is originally from Woodbury, Minnesota, and made his Tornado debut in Thursday night's 4-3 win over New Mexico, where he registered an assist and was +1.
÷ The Tornado acquired forward Seth Johnson, 20 and defenseman Tom Rizzardo, 20, in exchange for Tornado defensemen Donald Olivieri and Rodney LaLonde. Johnson hails from Woodruff, Wisconsin. He played last season and the beginning of this season with the Alaska Avalanche. He also spent time this season with the Janesville Jets before ending up in Bismarck. Rizzardo brings size (6'0/200) and grit. Rizzardo played the last two seasons in the British Columbia Junior Hockey League before joining the Bobcats this season.
÷ The Tornado traded forward Rock Einersen to the Alexandria Blizzard for forward Brett Hebel and two NAHL tenders. Hebel (6'1/190) is from Warroad, Minnesota and had an outstanding high school career for the Warroad HS Warriors last season. He was an all-state honorable mention last season and had over 70 points. He spent the early part of this season with the Fresno Monsters, but was injured a good portion of the season, playing in just eight games before having his rights traded to Alexandria.
÷ The Tornado also acquired forward Jimmy Murray, 19, from the Fargo Force of the USHL. Murray (5'6/170) is a skilled, speedy forward that has racked up some valuable playing time in the USHL this season. The Darien, Illinois native has played in 33 games for the Force, scoring 12 points.
No make-up date planned yet for postponed game
The make-up date for the Texas Tornado home game on Friday, February 4th against Wichita Falls which was postponed due to inclement weather has not yet been announced. An announcement will come on tornadohockey.com
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 12 vs. Amarillo - Pink in the Rink Night. It ¬â¢s time once again for the annual Tornado Pink in the Rink Night. This year ¬â¢s Pink in the Rink with Benefit Relay for Life and also have the Flowers Cup. The Tornado will wear special pink jerseys which will be auctioned off following the game.
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 5 ¬" Texas Tornado 2 @ Wichita Falls Wildcats 4
Despite climbing back from a two-goal deficit in the 3rd period, the Texas Tornado fell for the first time this season to the Wichita Falls Wildcats on Saturday night in Wichita Falls by a score of 4-2. The Tornado outshot the ¬ËCats 37-35, but went 0 for 8 on the power play in the loss. Making his first start since January 21st, Tornado goaltender Jake Stafford made 10 saves in the opening period to keep the Wildcats off the board, which included two penalty kills. Stafford ¬â¢s counterpart Tyler Green was equally as good in the Wildcats net as he also made 10 saves and stopped two Tornado power plays in the opening period as both teams struggled to find the back of the net. The Tornado power play continued its struggles in the 2nd period, as Texas had a 5 on 3 for over two minutes, but failed to get many shots and quality chances on goaltender Tyler Green. A Tornado turnover at the blueline led to the first Wildcats goal of the night, as on a 2 on 1 led to a pass from Ryan Frost to a wide open Wade Bennett , who put the puck past an outstretched Stafford for the 1-0 Wildcats lead. Tornado penalties led to the second Wildcats goal as Mikhail Sentyurin got free on the back door and smashed home a power play goal for a 2-0 Wildcats lead at the end of two periods. The Tornado would mount a serious comeback in the 3rd period as just over four minutes in Jackson Leef lit the lamp for his 17th goal of the season on a rebound after a drive from linemate Jack Prince to bring the score to within 2-1. The Tornado would tie the game at 2-2 as Leef drove down the left wing and fed a pass to Prince in the high slot as Prince fired a one-timer over the shoulder of Green for his 15th goal of the season. However, the Wildcats would regain the lead for good as with less than seven minutes remaining another Tornado defensive pinch gone wrong led to a 2 on 1, in which Dakota Klecha converted on the backdoor pass to make it 3-2. A few more late Tornado power plays netted very little and a Wildcats empty net goal would make the final 4-2.
Friday, February 4 ¬" Wichita Falls Wildcats @ Texas Tornado (postponed due to weather)
Thursday, February 3 ¬" New Mexico Mustangs 3 @ Texas Tornado 4
Nate Sliwinski ¬â¢s three-point night propelled the Texas Tornado to a 4-3 win on Thursday night over the New Mexico Mustangs, sending the Tornado into sole possession of 2nd place in the South Division. It didn ¬â¢t take the Tornado long to strike, :36 seconds to be exact , as a shot from the point by Tyler Rostenkowski was fought off by Mustangs goaltender Marco Wieser, but the rebound went right to Jack Prince who put it home for his 14th goal of the season. After some good saves by Tornado goaltender Jimmy Kruger, the Tornado would make it 2-0 as Taylor Herndon got a pass from the newest Tornado defenseman Walker Hyland and sent a snap shot towards the net, which eluded Wieser for Herndon ¬â¢s 5th goal of the year. New Mexico would strike back as James Poston came down the right wing and sent a pass in the high slot, which was redirected by Christian Johnson past Kruger to make the score 2-1 Tornado after the 1st period. The Tornado started the 2nd period as they did the 1st, with a quick goal. This time it was Nate Slwinski picking up a loose puck and sliding past Wieser for a 3-1 Tornado lead. Jackson Leef and Pavel Hurtik would pick up assists. The Tornado found themselves on a 5 on 3 power play and took advantage with a goal from the point from Pavel Hurtik, who fired a wrist shot past Wieser, who was screened in front by Jack Prince. Assists on the power play goal went to Leef and Sliwinski. The Tornado led 4-1 after two and outshot the Mustangs 13-3 in the period. New Mexico would turn up the offense in the 3rd period, outshooting Texas 13-6 and made things very interesting late in the period with goals from Zach Badalamenti on the power play and Adam Chapie on an extra-attacker goal, but the Tornado would hang on the final minute for the 4-3 win.
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North American Hockey League Stories from February 9, 2011
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- Tonight's Game Is On - Wichita Falls Wildcats
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