Matt Levene netted a hat trick to lead Oklahoma City Blazers over El Paso Rhinos, 5-2.
Levene's first goal came 1:14 into the first period. He then added goals at 18:36 into the first and at 19:17 into the third.
Oklahoma City Blazers scored early and often, and held a 4-0 advantage after the first 20 minutes of play.
Oklahoma City Blazers' penalty box was a popular destination as the team totaled eight minors and one major for 31 minutes in penalty time. Oklahoma City Blazers had been averaging 23.0 minutes in penalties per game. Oklahoma City Blazers excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances.
El Paso Rhinos forced Oklahoma City Blazers' netminders to work in net, getting 41 shots and forcing 39 saves. Jakub Krejci made 14 stops and Austin Kirby made 25. El Paso Rhinos was held below its usual level of production. El Paso Rhinos puts an average of 5.7 pucks into the net per game. El Paso Rhinos' defense was uncharacteristically lax during the game. El Paso Rhinos gives up 2.4 goals per game.
El Paso Rhinos was led by Bryton Tomko, who registered one goal. Tomko scored 15:53 into the second period to make the score 4-2 Oklahoma City Blazers. Angel Sanca picked up the assist. Lukas Znosko also scored for El Paso Rhinos. In addition, El Paso Rhinos received assists from Dominique Pozzi and Marek Langhammer, who contributed one each.
Oklahoma City Blazers registered one goal on three power play opportunities. El Paso Rhinos' Adam Vay stopped 25 shots out of the 29 that he faced. El Paso Rhinos ended with 28 minutes in penalty time with four minors and two majors.
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