Tornado Power Play comes up big in win over Kenai River

After getting edged out in OT on Wednesday against the Motor City Metal Jackets, the Tornado Power Play had some great moments as the power play went 3/7 and out-shot the Brown Bears by a huge margin of 41-16 in the game.

It was another huge game for J.D. Howard as his 2 goals take him up to 4 already for the Showcase. While other players like Rock Einersen (1G 1A) and Jack Prince (2A) who each had a pair of points that netted the Tornado's first win of the season and of the Showcase.

As for Kenai River, this takes them to 1-1 with their next game coming up this afternoon against the Michigan Warriors at 4:45 PM. While the Tornado have an early afternoon game against the Coluee Region Chill.


Press Release from the Texas Tornado Website

Texas Tornado VS. Kenai River Brown Bears Photos

Kenai River Brown Bears 3 Texas Tornado 5 (1-2, 2-0, 0-3)

From Blaine, Minnesota: Three more power-play goals, a truckload of shots and this time... the first Tornado win of the season. The Texas Tornado netted three goals in the 3rd period en route to a 5-3 win on Thursday Night against the Kenai River Brown Bears at the 2010 NAHL Showcase in Blaine, Minnesota. For the 2nd straight game, the Tornado scored three power play goals and badly out-shot their opponent. This time against the Kenai River Brown Bears it would be a 41-16 shot advantage for the Tornado.

The 1st period started well for Texas as just 2:44 into the game, David Rigatti scored his first goal of the season on the power play after a nice backdoor pass from line-mates Jack Prince and Rock Einersen. The lead would be erased less then three minutes later as Kenai River defensemen Erik Peerson slapped home a drive from the past Tornado goaltender Josh Hillegas, who were making their first NAHL Start. The Tornado would regain the lead thinks to the power play thinks to J.D. Howard's 3rd goal of the young season as he followed up a nice individual effort by Jackson Leef to get the puck to the net with another assist to Tyler Rostenkowski.

The 2nd period saw the momentum shift towards Kenai River as they out-shot the Tornado in the middle frame 2-0 to take a 3-2 lead. Daniel Turgeon snapped one past Hillegas after a Tornado turnover at the face-off deep in the Tornado zone. Then, Brett Lubanski made it 3-2 with a backdoor goal that snuck underneath Hillegas.

The Tornado fought back in the third period in large part to more special teams magic. J.D. Howard scored his 4th goal of the season to tie the game at 3-3 with helpers from Jackson Leef. The Tornado took the lead for good with their 3rd power play goal of the night as Mico Solorzano picked up a loose puck at the top of the point and slapped home the eventual game winner from Ralfs Freibergs and Jack Prince. After killing off a late penalty, Rock Einersen added an empty net goal for the eventual 5-3 win.

The Tornado are back in action on Friday September 17 at 1:45 PM against the Coluee Region Chill, who also have three points through 2 games of the Showcase. Fans can listen and watch the game live on www.fasthockey.com