David Dudich – Texas Tornado Booster Club: Texas Tornado rookie Scott Conway scores game winning goal against Wichita Falls Wildcats.

In his short NAHL career Scott has twice been named the Combat Hockey - South Division Star of the Week. His first recognition came in mid November after he put up 8 points (2G-6A) in a four game stretch. The latest award was announced this week for his performance in a two game sweep of the Odessa Jackalopes which extended the Tornado win streak to eight games. Conway contributed 6 points (2G-4A) in the two games. In December he was named Runner Up as the November Combat Hockey NAHL Forward of the Month.Conway is tied for the Tornado team lead in scoring with 45 points and leads the team in +/- with a +27. His 45 points has him tied for fourth in the league and second among rookies.

“Scott has really worked hard to get where he is right now and is very creative with the puck,” said Tornado head coach Tony Curtale. “However, as good as he has been offensively, it is because he pays attention to both ends of the ice and he is a very good, all-around two-way player.”

Conway spent three years in the Detroit area with Belle Tire and Victory Honda programs starting with the 2009/10 season. He finished in the 2011/12 season with the Victory Honda under-18 elite team. In 40 games with the U18 team he registered 38 points (20G-18A). The Texas Tornado took him with their fifth round selection in the 2012 NAHL Entry Draft.

His early development was done in theEngland as he is the son of Kevin Conway, who played in the OHL before moving to the UK to play professionally. The elder Conway spent 20-year playing in the United Kingdom including the 1987/88 season for the Durham Wasps and Telford Tigers scoring an unbelievable 151 goals during the single season. Conway was elected to the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.

Leef and his Tornado teammates celebrating a victory (Photo credit: Robert Dombkowski)

Wednesday, October 21 @ 7:30 pm

Texas Tornado (16-6-1) vs. Wichita Falls Wildcats (8-13-2)

Dr. Pepper Stars Center in Frisco, Texas

The Texas Tornado and the Wichita Falls Wildcats are meeting for the fifth time this season. The two teams will meet again in January on the 25 and the 26 in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Tornado is 4-1-0 against the Wichita Falls this year, though the last meeting the Wildcats won 3-2 in OT against them.

The Tornado comes in off of back to back losses against the Amarillo Bulls as the scores were 5-2 on Thursday night and 7-2 on Friday night. In those two games combined, 12 goals were against the Tornado.  As we all saw on Friday night, the Tornado was sluggish when they started the game and didn’t seem to have step to their game. After the game against the Bulls, I sat down with head coach, Tony Curtale about the upcoming game against the Wildcats. Here are his thoughts after the game:

“Mostly rest for the next couple of days as our schedule has been so brutal and probably our defensive zone needs to improve”

Hopefully on Wednesday night we can see a fresh start and the defensive zone improving as to not keep Hunter Leisner up to dry with the soft goals that we saw on Friday.  Also look out for rookie forward Brandon Hawkins who has 21 goals in 23 games and his line mate, Scott Conway, who was named NAHL South Division Player for his performance in November. Conway’s 12+ rating leads the Tornado this season and his 21 points are tied for 4^th in team scoring. Those two will try and help the Texas Tornado snap out of the losing streak and get back into the win column.

But in the way of getting back into the win column for the Texas Tornado are the Wichita Wildcats who are coming off a 6-2 win over the Kenai River Brown Bears. They have struggled both putting the pucks in the net and keeping out of their own and coming into tonight’s game with a -22 goal differential. Their top player Kyle Bauman has 11 goals in 23 games and Eliot Grauer with 7 goals in 13 games.

This game will be a tight battle as the Tornado are looking to get back in the win column and looking to keep hold of the top of the South Division.  The Wildcats are looking to improve their game and their goal differential.  Every fan that is missing hockey should come out and catch the Texas Tornado. Even Dallas Stars defense man Trevor Daley is going to be there as he will drop the ceremonial puck.