The Texas Tornado (24-10-6, 54pts, #2 South) came into last weekend 0-3 in 2012. With three games on the schedule, the Tornado hoped to be able to put the losing streak behind them. They did so with wins on Friday over Wichita and Saturday night over Odessa in Frisco, but fell short in a fight-filled contest on Sunday afternoon in Corpus Christi.
More on the Tornado after the jump…
Leef Sparkles in Return, Scores OT Game-Winner
For the first time since the team was eliminated from the playoffs last April, Jackson Leef put on a Tornado sweater on Friday night, and looked like he never left. The 19-year old Fort Wayne, Indiana native netted the game-winner just 35 seconds into OT to give Texas a 2-1 win over the visiting Wichita Falls Wildcats. Leef returned to the Tornado after spending the first half of the season with the Sioux City Musketeers, and was reacquired last Tuesday.
Lovick Nets Pair, Texas Rolls Odessa 5-2
The Tornado broke out of their offensive funk for at least one night on Saturday, equaling their goal output of the four previous games in a 5-2 win over the Jackalopes. Reid Mimmack got the nod in net and made 28 saves en route to his ninth victory on the year. Jordan Lovick potted two goals and was joined on the score-sheet by Mychal Monteith, Taylor Herndon, and Jack Prince. Jackson Leef notched two assists to give him 3 points in his first two games back with Texas.
Fists Fly as Tornado Fall to Corpus 4-1
The Texas Tornado were unable to go 3-for-3 over the weekend, falling 4-1 at the hands of the Ice Rays. While Texas goalie Joakim Jutras made 20 saves on the afternoon, it wasn’t enough to secure a victory and leaves the Tornado with an overall record of 24-10-6, just two points ahead of 3rd-place Topeka in the South Division. The excitement really ramped up early in the third period when, after back-to-back Ice Rays goals, a line brawl featuring four game ejections would occur. The brawl happened immediately at center ice following the puck drop for the fourth Ice Rays goal. After the melee was cease-fired, the remainder of the game was played without incident.
Looking Ahead:
–Texas will be back in action this weekend with a huge two-game set in Topeka, Kansas against the currently third-place seeded Topeka Roadrunners. Texas split a 2-game home series with them earlier in the year. Puck drop for both games is 7:30pm and can be listened to live, with Tornado broadcaster Corey Hersch, here.
–The Tornado will return to Dr Pepper Arena on Friday, January 27th against the Fresno Monsters. Puck drops at 7:30pm. Tickets can be found here. Texas traveled to Fresno in mid-November and took both games from the Monsters.
–A little update on former Tornado goalie, Ben Bishop. Story here.
–An update on another former Tornado goalie, Dan Sullivan, who played in an outdoor game recently. Story here.
As always follow all things Texas Tornado related at www.TornadoHockey.com and www.NAHL.com
As always, I can be reached directly via email at Nick@TornadoHockey.com