Texas Tornado – Amarillo Bulls Preview
By Kirk Estes
The Texas Tornado will face the stiffest challenge to their 10 game win streak that they have seen in nearly a month when they travel to the panhandle to face the Amarillo Bulls. The lone blemish on the Tornado’s record since November 25 is a 3-2 loss to Odessaon on December 15. Amarillo on the other hand has hit a bit of a speed bump after a great first half and are 3-3-2 in their last eight games. However, Amarillo’s five losses in that span have been by a combined total of 6 goals.
Mark Simpson – Texas Tornado Booster Club: Texas Tornado forward CJ Reuschlein celebrates a Scott Conway goal against the Amarillo Bulls.
With Texas leading Amarillo by a single point in the NAHL South Division standings, this weekend could go a long way toward setting the stage for the division race. After the two games this weekend the Tornado could be anywhere from five points ahead of Amarillo to three points behind the Bulls in second place. So far this season the Tornado are 2-4-0 against Amarillo and have been outscored 26-12 in the season series. Texas did sweep the Bulls during their last meeting in Frisco, by scores of 3-2 and 3-1.
| Last 5 Games | W | L | OTL | Pts |
| Texas Tornado | 5 |
0
0
10
Amarillo Bulls
3
1
1
7
Special Teams
Both teams come into the game with strong special teams units. The Tornado currently have the eighth ranked road powerplay at 18.2% having converted 16 of 88 opportunities. The Bulls home powerplay is not far behind setting at number nine in the league with 17.2% converting 16 of 93 opportunities. Texas’ road penalty kill is fourth in the league allowing 9 goals on 84 times short handed for 89.3% while Amarillo’s home penalty kill is ninth in the league allowing 13 goals on 100 times short handed for 87.0%. If Texas can remain disciplined in spite Amarillo’s in your face, antagonistic style of play they could use the special teams to their advantage.
Goaltending Comparison Last 5 Games
GP |
W
L
OTL
SO
GA
GAA
SV
SV%
Texas Tornado
5
5
0
0
1
9
1.80
117
.929
Amarillo Bulls
5
3
1
1
0
10
2.00
89
.899
Who is Hot (Last 5 Games)
| Texas Tornado | G | A | Pts |
| Nick Neville | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Scott Conway | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| CJ Reuschlein | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Jackson Leef | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Justin Greenberg | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Amarillo Bulls | |||
| Gage Christianson | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| TJ Sarcona | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Ryan Cole | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| John Rey | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Matt Siekhaus | 1 | 3 | 4 |
Texas Tornado veteran defense Nick Neville is the reigning Combat Hockey South Div Star of the Week and is the second Tornado player in a row to win the award following Scott Conway’s award last week.
The Tornado have 4 players in the top 15 in scoring with Brandon Hawkins 47 pts (30G-17A), Scott Conway 45 pts (13G-32A), Jackson Leef 44 pts (10G-34A) and Justin Greenberg 44 pts (19G-25A). The Bulls have only one player ranked among the top 15 in TJ Sarcona 45 pts (13G-32A). Where Amarillo wins their games is on defense with 10 of the top 15 players in the league in +/- wearing a Bulls sweater. Texas has only two.
Tornado rookie forward Brandon Hawkins continues to lead the league in goals scored with 30 despite a bit of a scoring drought lately. Hawkins has only two goals in his last nine games.
Amarillo’s Paul Berrafato is second in the league with a 1.85GAA thanks in great part to the strong defense in front of him as he is 16th in SV% at.917. On the other hand, the Tornado’s Hunter Leisner is 11th with a 2.39GAA and 21st with a .914 SV%.
Leisner leads the league in Wins 28, Minutes Played 2179:46 and Saves 930.
Amarillo leads the league in goals scored per game with 4.10 and goals allowed per game with 2.13. Texas is second in goals scored with 3.95 and sixth in goals allowed with 2.49.
Should either of the games go to a shootout the Tornado hold the cards as they have performed much better in that situation. Texas has won all four of their shoot outs so far this season scoring 10 goals on 17 shootout attempts while allowing 5 goals on 19 attempts. Amarillo has lost all four shootouts scoring on 2 of 18 attempts while allowing 8 goals on 18 shots.
Both teams are very stingy with a lead.Texas is 22-1-0 when leading after two periods while Amarillo is 23-0-2.
The Tornado own the two longest win streaks so far this season with a 9 game streak from September 12 to October 10 and their current 10 game streak that started December 28.
Both teams have made roster moves since their last meeting. Texas released G Jerry Kaukinen and D Luckas Zet. Additions to the Tornado roster include F AJ Duggan and G Eric Messer. The Bulls have been a bit more fluid with their roster. Gone are G Chad Catt traded to Aberdeen, F Travis Underwood traded to Bismarck, F Richie Marenis transferred to North Iowaof the NA3HL, F Evan Feno and F Conor Jonasson were both released. The lone addition to the Bulls roster is F Blake Roubos acquired via trade from Wenatchee.