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Tornado clinch playoff berth with 4-3 overtime win over IceRays

February 11, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release


An goal from Justin Jones :12 seconds into overtime, gave the Tornado a sweep of the Corpus Christi IceRays on Friday night in Corpus Christi by a 4-3 score. The Tornado outshot the ‘Rays by a wide 44-22 margin in the game and with the win stay in 2nd place in the South Division and clinch a playoff spot for the 11th straight season. The Tornado now travel home to host the Amarillo Bulls on Saturday, February 12th at 7:30pm at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. It is the annual Pink in the Rink night for the Tornado sponsored by Relay For Life. The Tornado will be wearing special pink jerseys, which will be auctioned off following the game, with part of the proceeds benefitting Relay For Life. Prior to the game, there will be an official Tornado Tailgate Party beginning at 4:30pm in Lot D between the parking garage and the baseball stadium. Tickets for the game can be purchased by stopping by or calling the Tornado office at 972-335-9800.

Despite outshooting the IceRay's 12-6 in the 1st period and dominating most of the action, it was Corpus Christi who would strike twice in the opening period. Brandon Marshall made it 1-0, as a Tornado turnover in the corner led to a pass to Marshall in the low slot, who backhanded a shot over Tornado starting goaltender Jake Stafford. The IceRays made it 2-0 as a shot from the point by Jason Souva appeared to ring off the post behind a screened Stafford, but the red light went on and the officials called it a good goal as the ‘Rays increased the lead to two.

The 2nd period was all Tornado and they did it right off the bat. Less than two minutes into the period, a IceRays turnover led to a 2 on 0 for Texas as Nate Sliwinski raced in along with linemate Jackson Leef. At the last second Sliwinski slid the puck over to Leef, who fired home a shot over the shoulder of ‘Rays goaltender Pheonix Copley to put the Tornado on the board. The Tornado thought they had made it 2-2 as a shot from Seth Johnson appeared to find the back of the net. After the referee waived it off, the Tornado stuck with the play and Johnson found newcomer Jimmy Murray, who poked home a loose puck underneath Copley for his first goal in the Tornado uniform and a 2-2 tie. Three minutes later, the Tornado took their first lead of the game while on the power play as a scrum behind the net led to a pass out front to captain David Rigatti who smashed home his second goal in as many nights to give the Tornado a 3-2 lead. The rest of the period, Jake Stafford settled down and made some key saves as the Tornado took the one-goal lead to the lockerroom.

The 3rd period saw the ‘Rays equalize as a shot from the wing was fended off by Stafford, but the rebound popped right out from for Jason Souva, who potted home his second of the night to tie the game at 3-3. The Tornado turned up the heat the rest of the way, but Copley was equal to the challenge.

In the overtime, it only took :12 second for Justin Jones to single-handedly win the game as he took the opening face-off down the ice, went behind the net and was stuffed on the wrap-around, but got his own rebound and fired a shot over Copley's shoulder for the game-winner. With the win the Tornado clinch a playoff spot and hang on to 2nd place in the South Division.

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North American Hockey League Stories from February 11, 2011


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