Tornado pushed to brink of elimination after 5-3 loss
April 1, 2011 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
The Amarillo Bulls scored the final three goals of the game erasing a 3-2 Tornado lead in the 3rd period, on their way to a 5-3 win and a 2 to 0 lead in the best of five South Division Semi-Final series. The Tornado had leads of 1-0, 2-0 and 3-2 in the game, but could not hang on as the Bulls scored three 3rd period goals. The Texas Tornado now travel back home to Frisco to host the Amarillo Bulls for Game #3 of the South Division Semi-Finals at the Dr Pepper Arena on Friday, April 8th at 7:30pm. Tickets are still available by calling 972-335-9800.
The Tornado dominated play from the start of the game, which ultimately netted the game's first goal. Jimmy Murray, who was the Tornado hero from the night before, slid a pass to Ralfs Freibergs, which Freibergs fanned on in the front of the net. However, Freibergs had the presence of mind to slid a pass in front for Seth Johnson, who redirected a shot past Nikifor Szczerba for a 1-0 Tornado lead. Texas would make it 2-0, as again Freibergs would get the puck down low. Jackson Leef took over from there as he chipped the puck from the side of the net in front for Jack Prince, who put it past Szczerba for a 2-0 lead. However, as has been the case in this series, a Tornado mental lapse and turnover in their own end would lead to the first Amarillo goal. A failed clearance got the puck to John Rey at the point who sent a slapshot past a screened Jimmy Kruger to make the score 2-1. Amarillo would take advantage of the momentum just a minute and a half later as the Tornado again failed to clear the zone while killing a penalty and Brandon Lubin fired a wrist shot past Kruger's blocker glove to tie the game at 2-2. Amarillo outshot Texas 11-9 in the period.
The Bulls continued the momentum in the 2nd period, but the Tornado were bailed out time and time again by Jimmy Kruger who put forth his best period so far of the 2011 Robertson Cup playoffs, stopping all 11 Bulls shots in the period. The Tornado only managed 6 shots in the period, but the best chances came off the stick of Jack Prince. The Tornado spent the majority of the period in the penalty box, but managed to kill off all them in the 2nd period as the Bulls outshot Texas 11-6.
The Tornado had life early in the 3rd period thanks to a goal from David Rigatti, who connected on a nice give-and-go pass from JD Howard. However, that would be the only bright spot for the Tornado in the final period as Amarillo would get three consecutive goals from Zack Smooth, Matt Johnson and Brooks Behling withing a five minute span to break the game open and give the Bulls the 2 to 0 lead in the series, pushing the Tornado to the brink of elimination.
North American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2011
- Six-Goal Game One Blitz Stings Bobcats - Bismarck Bobcats
- Warriors seize opener, 3-1 - Traverse City North Stars
- Tornado pushed to brink of elimination after 5-3 loss - Texas Tornado
- PHL Announces Teams for 2011-12 Season - NAHL
- Bulls Host Game 2 Tonight Vs Texas - Amarillo Bulls
- Bandits Take Game One - St. Louis Bandits
- Bulls Beat Texas 7-5 to Take Series Lead - Amarillo Bulls
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