Hockey: Tornado split series with Topeka

Special to the Frisco Enterprise

The Texas Tornado split their series with the Topeka RoadRunners over the weekend, winning 4-3 on Friday night while falling 2-1 on Saturday night.

The Tornado started the scoring early on Friday night to assure their victory over the South Division leader. Rock Einersen led off with a quick goal just 42 seconds into the game, assisted by Tyler Underhill and Joe Adams. The goal symbolized the intensity and finisher mentality that the Tornado brought throughout the night. It wasn’t much later that the Tornado extended their lead, with Scott Deur scoring a goal off of a deflection from an Erick Ware shot at the 11:42 mark. The 2-0 lead was a needed cushion though, as the RoadRunners were able to net a powerplay goal by the end of the period, setting the score at 2-1 going into the first intermission.

The visitors managed to tie the score up during the second period at 2-2. But the Tornado struck right back with a powerplay goal to retake their lead. The RoadRunners tied the game up again before the second intermission, however, setting the score at 3-3 at the break.

The third period has been a period of closing out games during the current Tornado winning streak. That trend carried over into Friday night’s game. While not allowing a goal by the opposition, the Tornado retook the lead and never gave it back up. JD Howard scored his seventh goal in his fifteenth game as a member of the Tornado to bring the score to 4-3. The defense and goaltending stood up against many offensive chances by the RoadRunners to finish the win.

Saturday night’s game was a much lower-scoring match. The Tornado took a first period lead off of a goal from Justin Jones. But the number of shots on goal and powerplays that the RoadRunners received were enough to help them come out on top, as the team relied on forward Alec Hagaman for both of their goals of the game, each coming in the second period. The third period remained scoreless for the final score to remain 2-1.

The split brings the Tornado record to 13-11-2 and 28 points for the season. They now have their sights set on second place as they find themselves just seven points behind the St. Louis Bandits during this hot streak they’ve been riding.

Among the Tornado stars from the weekend was goaltender Dan Sullivan. Sullivan saved 83 of 88 shots in the two games, giving him a .943 save percentage during the series.

The Tornado will get back to playing their instate rival, the Wichita Falls Wildcats, next weekend as they will play host to them for the second time in four weeks. The games take place on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Dr Pepper Arena.

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Texas Tornado Hockey is back in Frisco with the new Dr Pepper Arena offering more seating, more amenities and most important great hockey featuring the top up and coming players from North America. The season just faced off so get in the game with Frisco’s fastest family entertainment. Tickets start at only $7, concessions, gear, birthday parties, fundraiser nights and Gold Club access are available. Since their inception in 1999, the Texas Tornado has set the standard for excellence for junior hockey in the United States. Besides their three straight National Championships from 2004-2006 the Tornado has won seven NAHL Regular Season Division titles and had seven straight 40+ win seasons from 1999-2007. Their seventh straight division crown in 2007 tied a 30-year NAHL record, and their seven straight 40+ win seasons is an NAHL record. The Tornado have developed and moved on over 80 players in nine years onto NCAA and professional teams. Texas Tornado Hockey Club 2601 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 200 Frisco, TX 75034, 972-335-9800. www.tornadohockey.com

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