Three-Goal Flurry Gives Tornado 3rd Straight Win
January 11, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
Three 2nd period goals in a 1:01 span fueled the Tornado to a 4-2 win over the visiting Fresno Monsters on Tuesday night in Frisco. Jack Prince had a goal and an assist and Nate Sliwinski also added two assists in the win, which was the 3rd straight for Texas, who are now just a point out of 1st place.
The layoff for the Tornado showed as Fresno came out in the 1st period the fresher, more crisp team. It paid off for the Monsters with the first goal of the night as Willie Hess converted on a rebound after a pad save from starting goaltender Jimmy Kruger for a 1-0 Fresno lead. The Tornado had two power plays in the opening frame, but went shotless on both as they struggled for consistency.
Fresno began the 2nd period where they left off in the 1st period, with another goal. A nice give and go play got the puck in front to DJ Carnley, who put a one-timer past Kruger for a 2-0 Monsters lead. After another Tornado power play went for naught, a shot from the point by Pavel Hurtik was tipped in front by Mico Solorzano and snuck its way through the pads of Fresno goaltender Tom Conlin to cut the Fresno lead to 2-1. Less than a minute later, a nice hustle play by Nate Sliwinski got him possession of the puck in the offensive zone as he slipped a pass to Jack Prince, allowing the Tornado assistant captain to do the rest as he maneuvered in and out of the defense to slide a backhand shot past Conlin to tie the game at 2-2. Just :09 seconds later a Tornado shot rang off the post and after a scrum in front a loose puck ended up on the stick of Joseph Mottiqua, who slammed the puck home past a helpless Conlin for the first lead of the game for Texas at 3-2.
The 3rd period was a back and forth affair, but neither team could answer again. Nate Sliwinski had a shorthanded breakaway and was hauled down for a penalty shot, but because the Monsters were on a power play, Tornado Head Coach Tony Curtale was given the option of giving Fresno the two minute penalty or taking the penalty shot. With only minutes remaining, Curtale decided on the penalty, which negated the Fresno power play ending any chance of a comeback. JD Howard added an empty-net goal with just seconds left to make the final score 4-2 Tornado. The win was the 3rd in a row for Texas as they now prepare to host Wichita Falls on Friday night.
North American Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2011
- Three-Goal Flurry Gives Tornado 3rd Straight Win - Texas Tornado
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