The Texas Tornado (36-16-8, 80pts, #3 South) closed out the regular season in style over the weekend. Playing Corpus Christi with the Ice Rays season on the line, the Tornado picked up a pair of victories to eliminate Corpus from playoff contention. Friday’s 3-1 Tornado victory put Jack Prince atop the Tornado record books. 24 hours later, a 6-1 win gave Texas three straight wins heading into the 2012 NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs, which begin later this week.
More on the Tornado and the Playoffs after the jump…
Record-Setting Night for Prince in 3-1 Win
The Texas Tornado eliminated the Corpus Christi Ice Rays from playoff contention by virtue of a 3-1 victory on Friday. Jack Prince set the all-time Tornado regular-season record in both points and assists after he had a helper on all three Tornado goals. Jordan Greenberg, Marc Biggs, and Drew Mayer all scored, while Hunter Leisner earned the W in net. Prince’s first assist of the game broke Brad Cooper’s franchise record of 97, while his final helper gave the United Kingdom native 188 career points. That 188 is one better than Karl Sellan, the previous all-time points record holder.
Here is a follow-up piece on Jack Prince’s record setting achievements.
Tornado Close Out Regular Season with 6-1 Drubbing
Jackson Leef scored two goals in the Texas Tornado’s final game of the regular season, a 6-1 win over the Corpus Christi Ice Rays. Taylor Herndon, Marc Biggs, Ondrej Kopta, and Jordan Lovick joined Leef in the goal column, while Hunter Leisner picked up his 10th win in a Tornado uniform with 13 saves in two periods. Joakim Jutras replaced Leisner after the second period and played a scoreless third. Leef finished his abbreviated 2011-2012 NAHL season with 9 goals and 8 assists in 23 games. Leef returned to the Tornado in the middle of January after spending the first half of the season with the Sioux City Musketeers. Even though the Tornado finished the regular season tied in points with Topeka, the Roadrunners finshed with more overall wins, meaning they will have home-ice advantage over Texas in the first round of the NAHL Playoffs, which begin Friday the 6th in Topeka, Kansas.
Looking Around and Ahead:
–The Texas Tornado have announced their playoff dates for the first round of the 2012 NAHL Robertson Cup Playoffs, where Texas will be matched-up against the Topeka Roadrunners in a best-of-five series. After two games in Topeka this Friday and Saturday (the 6th and 7th), Game 3 will be at Dr Pepper Arena on Thursday, April 12th. If necessary, Game 4 will be Friday the 13th, also at Dr Pepper Arena. Puck drop for Games 3 & 4 is 7:30pm. Fans are encouraged to by tickets via Ticketmaster here, or by calling 972-335-9800. NOTE: Should Game 4 end up not being played, anyone with tickets to that game will be able to trade them in for either the second round of the playoffs or the 2012-2012 regular season.
–Regardless of the outcome of the two rounds of the divisional playoffs, the Texas Tornado will still play for the 2012 NAHL Robertson Cup Championship. Since the Tornado are hosting the 2012 NAHL Robertson Cup Tournament here in Frisco from May 3rd-8th, Texas will receive an automatic bid to try and claim their 5th Robertson Cup in 12 seasons. Don’t miss out! Tickets for ALL 12 Robertson Cup games starts at $72! That’s $6 a game for playoff hockey! Information on tickets here or by calling the Tornado office at 972-335-9800.
As always, follow all things Texas Tornado related at www.TornadoHockey.com or www.NAHL.com
I can be reached directly via email at Nick@TornadoHockey.com