Tornado fall in OT thriller on Saturday to Mustangs, 3-2
March 5, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
Mico Solorzano tied the game with less than four minutes remaining, but the Tornado fell in overtime on Saturday night to the New Mexico Mustangs, 3-2. It was the final game of the season between the two teams and the first win for New Mexico over the Tornado. Charles Baldwin scored the OT winner on a 4 on 3 power play.
Just as they did from the night before, the Texas Tornado would control the opening period. After a couple of even strength chances for both teams, the Tornado went on the power play and took advantage. After a shot from the point and two cracks at the rebound by Jack Prince and Nate Sliwinski, Tornado forward Jackson Leef got the third chance through Mustangs goaltender Lukas Hernandez for a 1-0 Tornado lead. Texas almost increased the lead by two on their second power play of the game late in the 1st period, but Nate Sliwinski's point blank chance was gobbled up by the glove of Hernandez to keep the Tornado lead at one heading into the intermission. The Tornado outshot New Mexico 15-5 in the opening period.
After some early Tornado chances in the 2nd period went denied by Hernandez, it was Tornado goaltender Jimmy Kruger's turn. Kruger kept the Mustangs at bay save after save, but ultimately New Mexico took advantage of some lackluster Tornado coverage in their own end that would lead to the Mustangs tying the game as a shot from the side boards by Connor Kingsbury was tipped home on the backdoor by Adam Chapie to tie the game at 1-1. The Mustangs kept the pressure on and again took advantage of a Tornado breakdown in their own zone, as two saves by Kruger weren't enough as Kevin O'Connor poked home the third chance to give the Mustangs their first lead of the night at 2-1.
The Tornado had several chances in the 3rd period to tie the game, but both JD Howard and Jack Prince hit the post. The remainder of the period was remarkable goaltending on both ends with both Hernandez and Kruger stopping multiple chances. With less than four minutes remaining in the game the Tornado tied the score at 2-2 as Mico Solorzano pounced on a rebound with assists to Jimmy Murray and Taylor Herndon.
In the overtime, Adam Chapie got around Tornado defenseman Tom Rizzardo, who hauled Chapie down for a tripping penalty. With just :07 seconds remaining on the 4 on 3 Mustangs power play Charles Baldwin smashed home the game-winner on a one-timer right in front of Kruger to give New Mexico their first win of the season over the Tornado.
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