El Paso pulled themselves out of their three game losing streak and triumphed over the Idaho Steelheads on Sunday night. Idaho, a familiar foe, faced off against El Paso for the national championship game in 2013-14. The following season, the Steelheads clenched the Thorne Cup title after beating the Rhinos in a best of seven series. Fortunately for the Rhinos, the outcome of Sunday’s game was different.
Jayden Ritchie, with Evan Camba and Drake Cartwright on the assists, sniped a top shelf goal to put the Rhinos on the board in the first half. Less than six minutes into the second period, Ty Erramouspe increased the Rhinos lead to two. Chaseton Sare scored an empty netter to end the game when Idaho pulled their goalie near the three-minute mark of the final period.
Despite very physical play from both sides, the Rhinos minimized their penalty minutes, taking only two penalties throughout the game. Facing 47 shots, El Paso goaltender Tymen Edelkoort III had a perfect game.
The Rhinos will face off against the Southern Oregon Spartans at 3:45 (MT) tomorrow for their third game of the WSHL Showcase.
-Yazmen McCaskill