Welcome Back! Prince, Freibergs lead Tornado to 4-2 win
December 31, 2010 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Texas Tornado News Release
Two goals from Jack Prince and three assists from Ralfs Freibergs led the Tornado to their 20th win of the season on New Year's Eve, as Texas topped Wichita Falls 4-2 in Frisco.
After a scoreless first half of the opening period, Wichita Falls would strike first, as a break down in the Tornado zone led to a pass from the corner out to defenseman Wade Bennett, who crept in and fired a wrist shot over the shoulder of Tornado starting goaltender Jimmy Kruger. Five minutes later, the Tornado would strike back as on the power play, Jack Prince got behind the defense and fired a shot over the shoulder of Wildcats goaltender Eric Garavaglia, after a nifty pass from Jackson Leef. The Wildcats would make it 2-1 with only a minute to go as Ryan Frost took a face-off win down low and fired a shot just outside of the goalline that beat Kruger to the short side. However, with no time left in the 1st period a late Tornado 2 on 1 saw Jack Prince score his second of the night as he snuck a shot through the legs of Garavaglia as time expired in the exciting 1st period conclusion.
Although there was no scoring in the 2nd period, it did see plenty of action, mostly physical. The Tornado had four power plays they were unable to convert on. Tornado goaltender Jake Stafford stepped in at the beginning of the period in replacement for Kruger and made two early breakaway saves. A late 2nd period skirmish saw Rock Einersen ejected from the game after his stick hit Garavaglia in the head.
The Tornado took the lead for good, as on the power play Donald Olivieri fired a blast from the point that beat Garavaglia over the shoulder for a 3-2 Tornado lead. Ralfs Freibergs picked up his third assist of the game on the goal. The Tornado made it 4-2 five minutes later as a 2 on 1 pass from Joseph Mottiqua found the stick of Taylor Herndon, who fired home his fourth goal of the season. The rest of the way was strong Tornado defense and goaltending from Stafford as the Tornado claimed their 20th victory of the season.
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North American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2010
- Welcome Back! Prince, Freibergs lead Tornado to 4-2 win - Texas Tornado
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