Tornado force Game 4 in Frisco on Saturday after 6-4 win on Friday
April 8, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
Six unanswered goals in the 2nd and 3rd periods gave the Texas Tornado a 6-4 win over the Amarillo Bulls on Friday night in Frisco in Game 3 of the South Division Semi-Finals. Marc Biggs had three assists for the Tornado and Jimmy Kruger made 33 saves. The Tornado, who now trail the best of five series 2-1, will host Game 4 at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco on Saturday, April 9th at 7:30pm. Tickets for the game can be purchased online at www.tornadohockey.com or by calling 972-335-9800. Any fan with a ticket stub from Friday night's game can bring it to Saturday's home game to redeem it for a $5 premium or end zone ticket.
Despite the Tornado dominating the opening first half of the 1st period, the Amarillo Bulls were saved several times by their goaltender, Nikifor Szczerba. Tornado forward Joseph Mottiqua had the first good chance as Szczerba turned the puck over along the hash mark, but Mottiqua's shot to the open net was denied by Szczerba, who went diving across the slot to save the puck. Jack Prince was then denied by a diving Szczerba to keep the Tornado scoreless. Amarillo would seize control late in the period with two straight power play goals. The first came from a slapshot from the point by Dan McDougall, who beat a screened Jimmy Kruger to make it 1-0 Amarillo. Amarillo continued their power play prowess with another goal, this time from Michael Erickson, who swooped in on a loose rebound as Amarillo led 2-0 after the 1st period.
Mico Solorzano and Eric Millisor got the crowd fired up with a good fight to start the period, however it was Amarillo who would strike first in the middle frame and increase the lead to 3-0 as a 2 on 1 saw Derek Hills take a shot that was saved by Kruger, but the rebound squeezed through and went right to Zack Smoot who gave the Bulls a three goal lead. However, the never-say-die Tornado would mount a comeback. The Tornado got on the board on the power play thanks to a goal from Nate Sliwinski, who put a rebound past Szczerba with helpers from linemates Jack Prince and Jackson Leef. The Tornado kept the momentum going with a goal from Seth Johnson, who put home a rebound after the original shot from Ralfs Freibergs. Less than three minutes later, the Tornado would tie the game at 3-3, as JD Howard's in-close chance rang off the post, but the puck bounced right to David Rigatti, who put one over an outstretched Szczerba. The Tornado kept the machine rolling, taking their first lead of the night as a rush up the ice by Nate Sliwinski found linemate Jackson Leef along in the high slot and Leef blasted a shot past Szczerba for his first career playoff goal and a 4-3 Tornado lead.
The Tornado took advantage of a power play to start the 3rd period, as George Malliaras let a shot go from the point, and with Marc Biggs screening in front, saw the puck fly past a screened Szczerba for a 5-3 Tornado lead less than two minutes into the final period. Less than three minutes later, Biggs would notch his 3rd assist of the night as he sent a beautiful backhand pass from behind the net right to JD Howard for the 6th Tornado goal and commanding 6-3 lead. Jimmy Kruger shut the door the rest of the way, and despite a late goal by the Bulls to stop their bleeding, the Tornado would walk away with the Game 3 win, 6-4.
With the win, the Tornado stave off elimination and still trail the best of five South Division Semi-Final series, 2-1. Game 4 is Saturday night, April 9th at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco at 7:30pm. Any fan with a ticket stub from Friday night's game can bring it to Saturday's home game to redeem it for a $5 premium or end zone ticket. For tickets to Saturday's game, call 972-335-9800 or buy online at www.tornadohockey.com.
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North American Hockey League Stories from April 8, 2011
- Third Period Burst Lifts Cats to Series Lead - Bismarck Bobcats
- Tornado force Game 4 in Frisco on Saturday after 6-4 win on Friday - Texas Tornado
- Flint outlasts Stars, takes 2-1 series lead - Traverse City North Stars
- Petruzzelli Wins National Title with Bighorns - Wenatchee Wild
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