Jack Prince named NAHL's 1st Star of the Week

Jack Prince with his strong week including a hat trick in Thursday Night's 6-0 win helped the Tornado forward to a team leading 62 points (31G 31A) and it was enough to get him the NAHL's 1st Star of the week.

Here's the NAHL Press Release

The North American Hockey League toady announced the Three Stars of the week presented by Combat Hockey for the week ending on February 5, 2012. The three stars of the week is a weekly feature during the 2011-2012 season that honors the top performing players each week of the regular season as nominated by their respective teams.

1st Star: Texas Tornado Forward Jack Prince

For someone who has amassed over 170 points in his NAHL Career, Texas Tornado forward and captain Jack Prince is saving his best season for last. Prince, 20, put up some big numbers this week as the Tornado went 2-1-0 in three games to keep pace for 2nd Place in the South Division. The native of England opened up the week with with a hat trick and an assist on Thursday Night with a 6-0 home shutout of Wichita Falls. The next night, Prince scored two goals, including the game-winner, both in the 3rd period in a 4-2 win. On Saturday, Prince assisted in both Tornado Goals in a 4-2 loss at Wichita Falls. For the week, Prince recorded five goals and three assists for eight points. He not only leads the Tornado in scoring, but ranks second in the NAHL with 31 goals this season and ranks 4th with 62, both of which are career highs. "I think Jack has developed in a premier player in the league." said Tornado coach Tony Curtale. "He is rightfully earning some major Division 1 interest because of his ability to score goals. Jack not only does that on a consistent basis, but he has also worked hard on the other parts of his game to become a complete, all-around player."

2nd Star: Fairbanks Ice Dogs Forward Gabe Levin

For someone who is leading the NAHL in scoring, Fairbanks Ice Dogs forward Gave Levin does it quietly and methodical precision. Levin, 20, may not be the flashiest scorer in the league, but he maybe the smartest. This past weekend was again evidence of that the Marino del Ray, California, as he helped the Ice Dogs to a weekend split on the road in Wenatchee. Amazingly, Levin (5'8"/165) had a hand in all seven goals the Ice Dogs scored this weekend. On Friday, Levin scored the game's first goal (the game winner) and then assisted on the next four for a five point night as Fairbanks shutout Wenatchee, 5-0. The next night, Levin assisted on both Fairbanks goals in the close 3-2 loss. Levin, who is a graduate of the North American Prospects Hockey League (PHL) currently leads the NAHL in points with 68 and assists with 54. "Gabe is so smart on the ice, which maybe the key reason that he factors in on so many of our scoring plays," said Fairbanks head coach Trevor Stewart. "He knows where everyone is on the ice, he knows how to read plays and he understand his teammates. Since he doesn't put up a lot of goals, he may not get the credit that some other goal scorers do, but he is the key to our offense."

3rd Star: Springfield Jr. Blues Forward Kyle Cook

The Springfield Jr. Blues are currently on a resurgence having won six of their last seven games and a big reason why was the play of forward Kyle Cook this past weekend. Cook, 19, is Springfield's leading scorer this season with 42 points, the Mercyhurst recruit helped the Jr. Blues take four of six points this weekend in Chicago against the Hitmen as he registered three goals and five points in the weekend series. In both of Springfield's wins over the weekend, it was Cook who scored the game winning goals. On Friday, the native Middleburg Heights, Ohio scored twice (including the game winner) and assisted twice in a big 10-2 win. After being shutout on Saturday, Cook (6'4"/215) came back on Sunday with yet another game winning goal late in the 3rd period as Springfield beat the Hitmen, 6-5. "Kyle has been playing very well all year, but he has improved because of his work ethic." said Springfield Head Coach Joe Dlibble. "As a veteran he understand all of the game scenarios, which enables him to come up big in situations. If he isn't scoring points, he is doing something positive for his team and is an all around work horse."

Honorable Mentions, (Alphabetical order): Alex Brooks, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings Defensemen - Adam Chapie, New Mexico Mustangs Forward - Brian Christie, Topeka Roadrunners forward - Lawrence Cornellier, Odessa Jackalopes Forward - Alex Frere, Kenai River Brown Bears - Jordan Greenberg, Texas Tornado Forward - Jake Hedba, Minot Minotauros Forward - Evan Johnston, New Mexico Mustangs Forward - Shigenobu Kakudate, Chicago Hitmen forward - Ryan Matthews, Dawson Creek Rage Forward - Connor McBridge, Janesville Jets Forward - Ethan Nauman, Springfield Jr. Blues Forward - Steve Perry, Fairbanks Ice Dogs Goalie - Taylor Porter, Odessa Jackalopes forward - Brock Raffaele, Kalamazoo Jr. K-Wings - Sean Reynolds, Chicago Hitmen Forward - Austin Severson, Kenai River Brown Bears Forward - Thomas Sholl, Fresno Monsters Goaltender - Ryan White, Topeka Roadrunners Forward.

Texas Tornado Fan Appreciation Weekend from 3/18-20

With Texas already having clinched a playoff spot in the South Division, the Tornado are looking to have a strong final 8 games of the regular season after a 3 game sweep of the Springfield Jr. Blues at home last weekend with a 5-4 win in a SO where the 4 goals in regulation were scored by 4 different players in the game.

Then on Saturday, the teams leading scorers in Jack Prince and James Howard put the team up 2-1 and officially clinched the playoff spot. For Howard, he scored the game winner just 12 seconds after Ross Andersen scored to tie at 1-1 midway through the 3rd period.

Then on Sunday night it was Shane Sooth and Rock Einersen who scored twice in 70 seconds to comeback after Jr. Blues Teammates TJ Poganski and Trent Frey scored earlier in the 3rd to go up 2-0. In the SO, Texas won the SO to win the game 3-2 with goals by Shane Sooth and Scott Deur put the team above .500 for one of the few times all year at 23-22-5 with 8 games left in the regular season.

Here's the remaining Schedule for the Texas Tornado

3/12: @ Springfield Jr. Blues 7:00 PM

3/13: @ Springfield Jr. Blues 7:00 PM

3/14: @ Springfield Jr. Blues 3:00 PM

3/18: VS. St. Louis Bandits 7:00 PM

3/19: VS. St. Louis Bandits 7:30 PM

3/20: VS. St. Louis Bandits 7:00 PM

3/26: @ St. Louis Bandits 7:05 PM

3/27: @ St. Louis Bandits 7:05 PM

For the Texas Tornado, this is a chance to keep down the 3rd spot in the South Division and show that they can give the Bandits or Roadrunners a strong showdown in the South Division Semifinals.

Even though the Tornado may be big underdogs, the team wants to show the league that they can make the playoffs tough for either St. Louis or Topeka in the opening round and may have a shot at a huge 1st round upset.


From the Texas Tornado Website: www.tornadohockey.com

The End of the Regular Season is nearing and the playoffs are coming up, and with the Tornado already clinching their playoff spot, the final home stand is all about one thing: You the Fans. March 18-20 is fan appreciation weekend, meaning great things for the loyal Texas Tornado Fans.

For starters, this will be the weekend in which Tornado season ticket holders will receive their season ticket holder gifts. Additionally, Tornado season ticket Holders will be able to bring friends to the games by redeeming one complimentary ticket for every season ticket they own, in the same section, for each game of the series.

Special Ike Coin Banks will also be given away at the doors all weekend long while supplies last. Live Entertainment will be provided by acoustic jam band Eleven Doors on Saturday Night.

And finally, select beers will only be $1.50 throughout the series.

The Tornado will take their probable playoff opponent in the St. Louis Bandits Thursday, March 18 through March 20, so preorder your tickets soon by contacting the Tornado at the Office.