Photo courtesy of the NAHL

Tornado takes home 2012 Robertson Cup championship in dramatic fashion

Photo courtesy of the NAHL

By Matt Mackinder –

Texas native Justin Greenberg pounced on a rebound and put a shot over St. Louis Bandits goaltender Spencer Viele 4:36 into overtime to give the Texas Tornado the Robertson Cup national championship as they defeated the Bandits 4-3 at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Tex., on May 8.

It marked the third time a host team has won the tournament (Texas in 2004 and St. Louis in 2008) since the format was introduced in 2003-04. The Tornado also won in overtime in the semi-finals as a Drew Allen goal knocked out the defending champion Fairbanks Ice Dogs.

As overtime started, the Tornado attacked from the start, not allowing the Bandits a shot on goal.  After Viele stopped Jack Prince on a shot from in tight, Prince got the puck down the right wing and centered a pass to Jordan Greenberg, Justin’s older brother, whose shot was denied by Viele, but the rebound came right to the younger Greenberg who lifted a backhanded shot over an outstretched Viele for the Cup clincher.

Marc Biggs scored in the first period for Texas and Mitchell McPherson added a goal for the Tornado in the second period before Jordan Lovick tied the game at 3-all at 14:26 of the third period to send the game into overtime.

NAHL regular-season MVP Joe Kalisz, a Davison native, Stephen Bopp and Drew Kariofiles scored for St. Louis, with Kariofiles’ tally late in the second giving St. Louis a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.

Texas goalie and Lone Star State native Hunter Leisner, acquired at the trade deadline in February from the Aberdeen Wings, made 19 saves for the win, while Viele finished with 34 stops.

Texas played in a playoff-high six overtime games during the 2012 playoffs, including four in the Robertson Cup tournament on their way to winning the fifth crown in team history. Only the Compuware Ambassadors (11) and the Paddock Pools Saints (seven) have won more Robertson Cups.

2012 Robertson Cup All-Tournament Team
Forward: Joe Kozlak, Amarillo Bulls
Forward: Joe Kalisz, St. Louis Bandits
Forward: Jordan Lovick, Texas Tornado
Defense: John Kirtland, Texas Tornado
Defense: Anton Racklin, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Goaltender: Spencer Viele, St. Louis Bandits
Tournament MVP: Jordan Lovick, Texas Tornado

NAHL DOLES OUT HARDWARE AT BANQUET OF CHAMPIONS
The NAHL handed out its 2011-12 season-ending awards at the annual Banquet of Champions on May 6 at the Frisco Convention Center.

Most Valuable Player: Joe Kalisz (Davison), St. Louis Bandits
Forward of the Year: Joe Kalisz (Davison), St. Louis Bandits
Defenseman of the Year: John Rey, Amarillo Bulls
Goaltender(s) of the Year and Rookie(s) of the Year:
Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce Township),
Odessa Jackalopes and Robert Nichols, Wenatchee Wild
Coach of the Year: Bill Warren, Port Huron Fighting Falcons
General Manager of the Year: Rob Proffitt,
Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Academic Achievement Award: Alex Globke (West Bloomfield), Port Huron Fighting Falcons
Community Service Award: Brooks Behling, Amarillo Bulls
Mark Messier Leadership Award: Jack Prince, Texas Tornado
Organization of the Year: Amarillo Bulls

2011-12 All-NAHL Team
Forward: Gabe Levin, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Forward: Joe Kalisz, St. Louis Bandits
Forward: JT Osborn, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Defense: John Rey, Amarillo Bulls
Defense: Sean O’Rourke, Fairbanks Ice Dogs
Goalie: Connor Hellebuyck, Odessa Jackalopes

TEAM EAST TAKES NA3HL TOP PROSPECTS CROWN
The North American 3 Hockey League (3HL) Top Prospects Tournament also took place in Frisco at the beginning of May and the team from the East Division took home the title with a 3-1 record, which included a 2-1 win over the West Division Team in the championship game on May 6.

Bryan Hovanec (Pittsburgh Jr. Penguins) had the game-winning goal and James Odom (Flint Jr. Generals) also scored in the East win.

The East team, which was composed of players from the Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks, Jr. Generals, Waterford-based Metro Jets and Jr. Penguins, got 25 saves from Pittsburgh’s Tyler Stepke in the win. Kyle Bonstrom (Minnesota Flying Aces) had the lone goal in the loss for the West Division.

Team Central’s Jeremy Edwards (Chicago Hitmen) led the tournament in scoring with five points (three goals, two assists) in four games, while Stepke finished as the top goaltender with a 0.50 goals-against average and a .977 save percentage.

In the consolation game, the North Division defeated the Central Division 3-1 for the North’s first win of the tournament. Andrew Benyo (Toledo Cherokee) scored twice and Joey Lioy (Battle Creek Jr. Revolution) added the other goal.  Robert Hintz (St. Louis Jr. Blues) scored the only goal for the Central, who finished with a 2-2 record, as did the West Division.

Over 50 college and junior scouts, including all 28 NAHL teams, were in attendance during the event.

WESTERN NAPHL SQUAD WINS TOP PROSPECTS
Team White took home the NAPHL Top Prospects Tournament title with a 4-3 win over Team Yellow in the Championship game on May 6, also in Frisco.

Team White, which was composed of PHL players from the California Titans, Orange County Hockey Club, Phoenix Firebirds and San Jose Jr. Sharks, went through the tournament undefeated with a perfect 4-0 record.

Titans forward Chandler Madry led the tournament in scoring with seven points in four games. Roy Grandov (San Jose) scored twice in the championship game.

In the consolation game, Team Red defeated Team Blue.